Idaho Legislative Session
IDL is closely following the legislative session and a number of bills. There are currently three bills that might affect how we do business on behalf of the endowment beneficiaries, one that would modify encroachments in place prior to 1974, and another that could increase the workload with handling land sales for other agencies.
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.
- 01/26 Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
- 01/29 House - Reported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation
House Bill 409 - State Government
This legislation repeals Section 67-5709A, which creates a separate process for the sale of the state administrative facilities in the custody or control of the State of Idaho.
- 01/18 Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
- 01/19 Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
- 01/22 Read second time; Filed for Third Reading for 01/23
- 01/23 House - Passed: Ayes 70 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 0, title approved, to Senate
- 01/24 Senate - Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
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.
- 01/23 Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
- 01/24 Senate - Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
- 02/06 Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
- 02/07 Read second time; filed for Third Reading
- 02/12 Read third time in full – PASSED - 31-4-0, approved to House
- 02/13 Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
Read First Time, 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.
- 02/06 Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
- 02/07 Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
- 02/12 Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
Senate Bill 1342 - Grazing Leases
Amends existing law to exclude grazing leases from certain hearing requirements and to provide that all state lands may be leased for a period of up to forty years for grazing leases.
- 02/12 Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
- 02/13 Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
Visit the archive of IDL Legislative Update Newsletters
Annual Performance Report
On Tuesday, February 13, Director Miller and EFIB Manager Chris Anton gave a presentation on Endowment Land Management and the Land Bank to the House Resources and Conservation Committee.
This was an opportunity to explain endowment reform, constitutional and statutory requirements as well as policies and process for reaching the goals and meeting requirements for distributions.
This was a follow up to the Director's January 31 presentation of IDL's Annual Performance Report where Director Miller provided an overview of accomplishments, goals, and performance measures.
The committee had asked for more information to discuss the endowment fund, distributions and the Land Bank.
IDL Budget Information
Director Miller may have the opportunity to answer additional questions from JFAC on Tuesday, February 20.
Director Miller first answered questions concerning IDL's FY25 budget request and decision units 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
Budget Documents
Because an IDL Team Member Asked for It...
In honor of Valentine's Day...
Director Miller's Favorite Dad Joke This Week:
Q: What do trees do on Valentine’s Day?
A: They get sappy.
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Rulemaking Presentations
IDL has nearly completed its presentation of pending rules and pending fee rules with all being accepted by both the Senate Resources and Environment Committee and the House Resources and Conservation Committee with the exception of the Rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operation. The House committee has asked for more information on this pending fee rule and a new date has not been set.
Rules of Practice and Procedure Before the State Board of Land Commissioners
IDAPA 20.01.01 - Pending Rule
- 1/31 The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule.
- 2/09 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
- 1/31 The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending fee rule.
- 2/13 The House Resources and Conservation Committee voted to table this pending rule fee and asked IDL to bring back answers to questions.
Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund
IDAPA 20.03.03 - Pending Fee Rule
- 1/31 he Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule fee.
- 2/5 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
- 1/31 The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending fee rule.
- 2/9 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)
- 1/31 The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending rule.
- 2/9 The House Resources and Conservation Committee voted to accept this pending rule.
Forestry Day at the Legislature
Director Miller and several IDL staff attended the Forestry Day at the Legislature luncheon. This event was an opportunity to talk with legislators and stakeholders in the forest industry.
The theme was Idaho’s Forest Sector: The Vital Role of Workforce Development. One of the speakers was Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. The topic was finding ways to provide education in high schools to build jobs and careers in forestry and logging. Multiple references were made to the funds IDL generates for education and Craig Foss contributed valuable information on GNA to the audience during a question and answer session.
Special thanks to Archie Gray, Rick Finis, Renee Jacobsen and IDL's HR staff for helping to bring all the materials together for a great display and conversation piece at the event.
 Director Miller visits with IDL staff and partners in front of IDL's display.
OGCC Commissioners Confirmation
The Senate confirmed all the Gubernatorial Appointments for the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Betty Coppersmith, Jennifer Riebe and Marc Haws were confirmed on Tuesday, February 13, and Margaret Chipman and Ray Hinchcliff were confirmed on Wednesday, February 14.
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.
Foresters Forum
Director Miller presented at the Foresters Forum last 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 an opportunity to catch up with old friends and discuss issues of importance to the cattle industry in Owyhee County related to endowment lands.
Doubling Down on Dad Jokes
Just when you thought the jokes couldn't get worse...
Q: What gets a year older every time it rings?
A: A tree.
Mentorship/Continued Development Program
Looking for direction on where to go next in your career with IDL? Want to make an impact on the future of our agency?
The Mentorship Program is designed to help facilitate peer development between established IDL employees.
Enrollees will be matched based on development goals and objectives. Goals can range from personal leadership, developing KSA (knowledge, skills and abilities), or career focused. Now open to all interested permanent employees.
Facilitators will be encouraged to develop enrollees through establishment of rapport, a sharing of ideas, and encouragement of development opportunities. These can be meet ups, ride-alongs, or just being a listening station.
De-Escalation Training
A reminder to register for the upcoming De-escalation Training provided by the Idaho Police Officers Standards & Training (POST). While the CDA De-escalation Training is at capacity, there is still plenty of room in Boise on Wednesday, March 20th.
Zoom may be available during the CDA training. If it is determined this is an option, a notification with the Zoom link will be provided prior to the training.
Click here to register for the Boise De-escalation Training.
Please contact Vikki Snider if you have questions.
Taco Bar Potluck
A Taco Bar Potluck brought the Boise Staff Office together on Tuesday, February 13. Executive Team members in Boise brought the taco meat and staff brought the fixings. The professionalism, skills, and teamwork of our IDL staff is how we achieve our mission. Thank you.
 Michele Andersen helps get the Taco Bar open for business.
Piñatas
Keeping with the same theme, employees at the Boise Staff Office gathered the next day to have a piñata party. Being a great team also means we can let loose a little and bat away at a candy-filled taco. Special thanks to Renee Jacobsen for coordinating this event.
 Taking a swing at it. Photo by Renee Jacobsen.
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Newsletter Archive
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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