Environment

passed · Idaho · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 1328: DEPARTMENT OF LANDS – Amends existing law regarding counsel for the Department of Lands.

S 1328 amends multiple Idaho Code sections to update forest fire protection and land management rules. It clarifies that individuals responsible for uncontrolled fires must immediately act to control them, and the state can recover fire suppression costs through civil action. The bill limits property damage claims to specific categories - fire control costs, verifiable economic losses, and either restoration costs or property value loss - with a 10-year statute of limitations. It also specifies that timber owners must cover fire protection costs on their land, and the Department of Lands can place liens on timber to recover unpaid expenses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill updates forest fire protection rules requiring immediate fire control and state cost recovery, strengthening natural resource management and fire prevention as part of environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 1332: APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation and transfer of moneys in the state treasury for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Idaho's S 1332 is a budget bill that transfers specific funds from specialized state accounts into the General Fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directs the transfer of $45 million from the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund, $3 million from the Opportunity Scholarship Program Account, $33.7 million from the Permanent Building Fund, $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund, and $10 million from the In-Demand Careers Fund (for 2026) and another $10 million (for 2027) to the General Fund. These transfers are intended to provide immediate funding flexibility for state operations during the 2025-2026 budget period. The bill declares an emergency to allow most provisions to take effect immediately upon passage, with one transfer scheduled for late 2026. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationTransfers $3M from Opportunity Scholarship Program (education) and $45M from Strategic Initiatives Fund, defunding targeted education programs.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTransfers $15M from Water Pollution Control Fund, defunding environmental protection efforts related to water pollution control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Water Quality

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 17, 2026

H 677: FISH AND GAME – Amends existing law to provide for the location of blinds.

This bill prohibits the use of hunting blinds near non-natural watering sites in Idaho. It directly affects hunters who set up blinds for game viewing or taking wildlife near artificial water sources like stock tanks or reservoirs. The key provision amends Idaho Code §36-1101 to explicitly ban blinds in these locations, while also revising penalty provisions in §36-1401 for violations. The change aims to prevent unfair hunting advantages and protect wildlife behavior around human-made water features.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits hunting blinds near artificial water sources to protect wildlife behavior, aligning with conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 18, 2026

HJM 15: WEATHER MODIFICATION – States findings of the Legislature and requests federal action.

HJM 15 is a joint memorial from Idaho's legislature urging Congress to pass federal laws banning unauthorized weather modification activities over Idaho. It specifically requests prohibitions on dispersing chemicals or particulates for weather/solar modification without Idaho's express consent, with felony penalties for violations. The memorial also calls for requiring federal transparency and state approval for any atmospheric experiments conducted above Idaho's airspace. This procedural request does not create new state law but seeks to align federal policy with Idaho's position on protecting public health and airspace sovereignty.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requests federal ban on unauthorized weather modification (e.g., chemical dispersal) to protect Idaho's environment, aligning with environmental protection goals through preventive regulation.95% confidence

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signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1269: CLOUD SEEDING – Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding cloud seeding programs.

This Idaho bill (S 1269) revises state laws governing cloud seeding programs to clarify regulations and requirements. It defines cloud seeding (excluding fog/frost prevention), requires the Water Resource Board to authorize programs and mandate annual public reports on operations, environmental impacts, and effectiveness, and specifies that state funds may only support projects in basins with insufficient water supplies. The law also protects operators from liability claims related to cloud seeding activities and requires monthly operational reports from program operators. These changes directly affect the Water Resource Board, cloud seeding operators, and communities relying on water resources in Idaho basins.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental impact reports, restricts funding to water-scarce basins, and mandates Water Resource Board oversight - strengthens regulatory framework for cloud seeding programs.92% confidence

passed both · Idaho · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SCR 116: WATER DISTRICTS – States findings of the Legislature and supports various water projects within Water District 1.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 116) formally recognizes the importance of Idaho Water District 1 (encompassing 10 Panhandle counties) and expresses legislative support for specific water projects within the region. It highlights key initiatives like the Priest Lake Outlet Dam modification (protecting tourism and aquifer levels), the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project (shifting water sources to stabilize aquifers and aid fish), and infrastructure upgrades for the Burnett Water Users Association and Hayden Lake Irrigation District. The resolution emphasizes that these projects are vital for agricultural sustainability, aquifer protection, flood management, and regional economic stability. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but affirms the Legislature’s endorsement of ongoing water management efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill supports water projects protecting aquifers (Priest Lake Dam) and fish habitats (Lower Clearwater Project), aligning with natural resource conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed both · Idaho · House Feb 23, 2026

HJM 9: FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT – States findings of the Legislature and requests federal intervention to ensure proper application of FLPMA.

Idaho's HJM 9 is a joint memorial urging Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) as the primary law for managing public lands. The resolution states that a recent legal challenge in Idaho threatens FLPMA's established processes for land exchanges - critical for managing intermingled federal, state, and private lands across the West - and requests congressional action to prevent disruption to land management and existing exchanges. It emphasizes FLPMA's role since 1976 in providing consistent, predictable administration of public lands for multiple uses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSupports FLPMA, a law critical for public land conservation and natural resource management. Aims to preserve land exchange processes that maintain environmental protections on federal lands.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 18, 2026

H 511: PRIVATE FOREST LAND – Amends existing law to revise the surcharge associated with improved forest land.

H 511 revises the surcharge for improved forest parcels on private land in Idaho, capping it at $100 per parcel (previously ranging up to $100). It directly affects private forest landowners who maintain improved parcels, requiring them to pay this annual surcharge to fund wildfire preparedness. The bill also updates assessment rules for forest landowners (65¢ per acre for over 26 acres, minimum $25 for 25 acres or less) and establishes a wildfire equipment replacement fund. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, following its passage by the Idaho House (46-22) on February 4, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes annual surcharge ($100 cap) to fund wildfire preparedness and equipment replacement, creating dedicated revenue for public safety programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildfire preparedness via surcharge, directly advancing forest conservation and fire prevention under environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Forestry

passed both · Idaho · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SCR 117: WATER DISTRICTS – States findings of the Legislature and supports various water projects within Water District 4.

Idaho's SCR 117 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) that expresses the legislature's support for water projects in Water District 4. It recognizes the district as Idaho's "water tower" and formally backs existing initiatives like managed aquifer recharge on the Henrys Fork and Snake River, cloud seeding to boost snowpack, and infrastructure upgrades for irrigation canals. The resolution emphasizes these projects' importance for sustaining groundwater, supporting agriculture, and securing water supply across southern Idaho. It does not create new funding or policy but affirms the legislature's endorsement of current water management efforts led by the Idaho Water Resource Board.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly supports water conservation projects (managed aquifer recharge, groundwater sustainability) under natural resources, aligning with environmental protection indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SJR 102: LANDS – Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to establish provisions for the management of certain lands granted or acquired from the federal government.

This proposed constitutional amendment would require Idaho to place certain lands granted or acquired from the federal government into a permanent public trust. It prohibits selling these lands (except for land exchanges approved by two-thirds of the legislature) and mandates management focused on conservation, public access, and long-term resource protection. Revenue from leases on these lands would fund a new "public lands trust fund," used for land maintenance, county compensation, public access improvements, and support for public schools. The amendment must be approved by Idaho voters to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new trust fund from land lease revenue to fund maintenance and county compensation, directly allocating dedicated revenue for public land management.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates conservation-focused management of federal lands, prohibits sales except for exchanges, funds trust for resource protection and maintenance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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