Idaho Legislative Session
IDL is closely following the legislative session and a number of bills. There are currently two bills that might affect how we do business on behalf of the endowment beneficiaries and one that would modify encroachments in place prior to 1974.
Senate Bill 1243 - Grazing
This legislation would allow the grazing leases from the Owyhee Land Exchange that came in from federal lands to be treated as if it were a federal permit, automatically renewing every 10 years with no auction. It would only apply to lands acquired through federal land exchanges.
- 02/07 Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
House Bill 434 - State Land Leases
This legislation would require all leases, land permits and other land use agreements for state land entered into by the State Board of Land Commissioners have standard terms and conditions for maintenance and repair and include provisions for remediation.
- 01/29 House - Reported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation
Senate Bill 1279 - Navigational Encroachments
This legislation adds a clarifying definition to section 58-1312 in relation to the Lake Protection Act. It defines the term “modified” to mean the location has not been changed and the footprint has not been expanded in dimension.
- 02/07 Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
IDL Budget Information
Director Miller had the opportunity to answer questions concerning IDL's FY25 budget request and decision units at our scheduled JFAC hearing on Monday, January 29. There were a wide variety of questions that included GNA harvests, IDL building its own fire trucks, the need for laptops for administrative assistants, and the need for a UTV for Recreation staff.
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget
JFAC has changed its procedures for budget setting this session. They took up maintenance budgets for categories. IDL falls under the Natural Resources Maintenance Budget which also includes DEQ, Fish & Game, EFIB, Parks & Recreation and Water Resources.
On January 16, 2024, a total of $525,672,500 was approved for the agencies combined.
Senate Bill 1269 - Appropriations Natural Resources
- 02/09 Senate - Passed: Ayes 27 Nays 7 Excused 1; title approved; to House
Budget Documents
 Director Miller at JFAC hearing on Monday, January 29.
Annual Performance Report
Director Miller presented IDL's Annual Performance Report to the House Resources and Conservation Committee on Wednesday, January 31.
The director provided an overview of accomplishments, goals, and performance measures.
The committee requested a second presentation to specifically discuss the endowment fund and distributions. Dustin Miller and Chris Anton will present on Endowment Land Management and the Land Bank on Tuesday, February 13.
Rulemaking Presentations
On Monday, February 5, IDL presented five sets of proposed rule changes to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee. Due to time restraints, several rules were held until Friday, February 9.
On Wednesday, January 31, IDL presented five sets of proposed rule changes to the House Resources and Conservation Committee. Due to time restraints, the rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operations was held until Tuesday, February 13.
Rules of Practice and Procedure Before the State Board of Land Commissioners
IDAPA 20.01.01 - Pending Rule
IDAPA 20.01.01 protects citizens’ due process rights by governing the practice and procedure in contested cases before the State Board of Land Commissioners and the Idaho Department of Lands.
This rule chapter implements the following statutes: Idaho Code 58-104 State Land Board – Powers and Duties and Idaho Code 67-5206(5)(b) – Promulgation of Rules Implementing Administrative Procedure Act.
- The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule.
- The House Resources and Conservation committee voted to accept this pending rule.
Rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operations
IDAPA 20.03.01 - Pending Fee Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.01, Rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operations under the authority of the Idaho Dredge and Placer Mining Protection Act (Title 47, Chapter 13, Idaho Code).
IDAPA 20.03.01 allows responsible resource extraction while protecting the lands, streams and watercourses of the state.
- The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule fee.
- This rule was held by the House committee until February 13, 1:30 p.m. MT, Rm EW40.
Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund
IDAPA 20.03.03 - Pending Fee Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.03, Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund under the authority of Title 47, Chapter 18, Idaho Code.
IDAPA 20.03.03 provides consistent guidance in how Idaho’s Reclamation Fund (Fund) is implemented. The Fund is a type of state bond pool created in 2002 to provide an alternative form of performance bond or financial assurance as required by Idaho mining regulations. The Fund is to be used by the Department to complete reclamation in the event an operator is unable to so.
- The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule fee.
- The House Resources and Conservation committee voted to accept this pending rule.
Rules Governing Navigable Waterways Mineral Leasing
IDAPA 20.03.05 - Pending Fee Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands manages the beds of navigable waterways to provide for their commercial, navigational, recreational or other public use. IDAPA 20.03.05, Riverbed Mineral Leasing in Idaho establishes a consistent process to authorize mineral exploration and extraction on state-owned navigable rivers and collect rents and royalties.
- The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending fee rule.
- The House Resources and Conservation committee voted to accept this pending rule.
Rules Pertaining to the Recreational Use of Endowment Land
IDAPA 20.05.01 - Pending Rule (New Chapter)
This is negotiated rulemaking for a new rule chapter: Rules Pertaining to the Recreational Use of Endowment Land (IDAPA 20.05.01).
Senate Bill 1049 was designed to curb the abuse or misuse of endowment land, preserving its revenue-generating potential for the beneficiaries. The legislation, which was signed into law, created a new section of Idaho Code that became effective on July 1, 2023.
The law requires rulemaking to specify prohibited activities that are subject to a warning ticket for minor first offenses, with second violations under the statute being punished with an infraction and $250 fine.
- The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule.
- The House Resources and Conservation committee voted to accept this pending rule.
Foresters Forum
Director Miller presented at the Foresters Forum held this week at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. With Idaho's population nearing 2 million, IDL faces the need to adapt to a changing Idaho. The Director communicated our reliance on foresters to tell our story of adaptation while ensuring challenges and demands are met. He shared the success of GNA bringing additive wood and fiber supply to Idaho's mills while also restoring Forest Service lands. With Idaho's growing population and people moving into the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), Miller stressed the importance of the modernization of IDL's Fire Program which is vital for initial attack to protect the state's timber and the industry it serves. He also touched on Forest Legacy, an initiative that helps protect the timber supply, prevents some movement into the WUI and keeps working lands working in perpetuity.
Owyhee Cattlemen's Association
On Saturday, February 4, Director Miller attended the Owyhee Cattlemen's Association's 2024 Winter Meeting in Oreana. This half day event gave the director opportunity catch up with old friends and discuss issues of importance to the cattle industry in Owyhee County related to endowment lands.
OGCC Commissioners Confirmation
The Senate Resources and Environment Committee approved the Gubernatorial Appointments for the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission on Monday, February 5. In the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 120 changed the criteria for the make up of the OGCC Commission, therefore, Ray Hinchcliff, Betty Coppersmith, Margaret Chipman, Marc Haws and Jennifer Riebe needed to go through the confirmation process. The appointments will now go before Senate for a vote.
IDL accepting project proposals for grants
Several forestry and fire grants are now open for submission of project proposals. The grants help reduce wildfire risks in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), support county wildfire protection planning and improve forest health. They are administered through Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and fall under three categories: Hazard Fuel Reduction, Western States Fire Managers and Landscape Scale Restoration.
Those eligible to apply include: state, county and local agencies; non-profit (501c3) organizations; tribes; and educational institutions. A limited number of project proposals for each program will be selected for full development and submission for a competitive process for the western United States.
IDL will hold an informational pre-proposal webinar Friday, February 9 to assist those who are interested in participating. IDL also offers detailed information about the grants on our Forestry and Fire Grants webpage: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/about-forestry/forestry-fire-grants/
IDL Annual Report Distributions
IDL Annual Reports have been distributed to the legislature, county commissioners, other stakeholders, and to IDL full-time employees and area offices.
This process is a huge undertaking and we want to recognize those going the extra mile to get these sent out. A big thanks to Kourtney Romine who did the heavy lifting on this project. Also thank you to Renee Jacobsen and Tim Cox for their assistance.
The IDL Annual Report provides an opportunity for IDL employees, Land Board and staff to share consistent messaging with the public and others regarding state endowment trust lands and our work on behalf of the beneficiaries.
IDL's information can be viewed at a glance on the FY2023 Snapshot and Fast Facts cards. These cards provide excellent information as handouts when meeting with stakeholders.
 Kourtney Romaine sorts out Annual Reports at the Boise Staff Office.
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Webpage
Did you miss some important news? Are you curious about knowing what's happening across IDL? Our One Team, One Voice webpage contains an archive of IDL's newsletters covering:
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