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
- 02/13 Read second time; filed for Third Reading
- 02/21 Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1
Title apvd - to House
- 02/22 Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
Read First Time, Referred to Resources & Conservation
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
-
02/22 Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
Read First Time, Referred to Resources & Conservation
IDL Budget Information
JFAC Appropriations and Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund
On Tuesday, February 20, JFAC took up IDL's appropriation and the transfer of general funds to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund.
The committee voted 16-3-1 in favor of IDL's $12,447,000 appropriation, sending it to the floor with a Do Pass recommendation. The transfer of $17,000,000 to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund received a Do Pass recommendation with a 19-0-1 vote.
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
- 02/14 House– Passed: 58-10-2, Title apvd - to Senate
- 02/20 Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor
Budget Documents
Annual Performance Report
On Monday, February 26 Director Miller will present IDL's Annual Performance Report to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee, providing an overview of accomplishments, goals, and performance measures.
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 to the House Committee.
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 Operations. 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.
Idaho Outfitters and Guides "Taste of Idaho" Wild Game Feed
Director Miller attended the annual Idaho Outfitters and Guides (IOGA) Wild Game Dinner on Thursday evening. The annual event provides an opportunity for legislators and agency personnel to engage with representatives of the outfitting and guiding industry and to sample a variety Idaho wild game dishes prepared by IOGA members. IDL works with the outfitting and guiding industry by providing certain leases and Land Use Permits on state endowment lands for various commercial recreational activities that are regulated by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.
Leadership Idaho Agriculture Graduation
On Friday, Director Miller along with Roger Hall and Jason Laney attended the Leadership Idaho Agriculture (LIA) Class 44 graduation to celebrate the graduation of our very own Addie Faust. The LIA program is a renowned multi-week leadership program focused on the training and development of current and future leaders in agriculture and natural resource industries. Addie received her bachelor’s degree in Range Science from New Mexico State University and currently serves as IDL’s Natural Resources Leasing Program Manager. Prior to coming to IDL, Addie worked as a Range Management Specialist at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture as well as a Range Technician with the Bureau of Land Management. We are proud of Addie and glad to support these types of relevant leadership programs for our staff. If you get a chance, please congratulate Addie on this big accomplishment.
 left to right: Roger Hall, Dustin Miller, Addie Faust, Jason Laney
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 legislators 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.
Idaho State Forestry Contest
The 2024 Idaho State Forestry Contest is scheduled for May 9. IDL continues to build our partnership with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation who have graciously invited us back to Farragut State Park in Athol. Last year's Contest was a tremendous success, with record numbers of kids in the Junior and Senior Divisions. We expect this year's Contest to be even bigger.
The Contest would not be possible without volunteer help and we are reaching out again to IDL staff to make that happen.
2023 Safety Employee of the Year
Shannon McCormick was presented the 2023 Safety Employee of the Year award on Tuesday, February 20, at the Land Board meeting.
Shannon, who is the Timber Measurement Program Manager, received multiple nominations from her scaling staff. They expressed how much she has changed the safety culture in their department and made it an expectation.
A couple of comments from the nominations:
"She has changed the safety culture in our department by wanting us to be safe at home, on the road and both in the office and at the log yard"
"She hasn't just thrown money at safety she has made it part of our daily routine."
Shannon was asked to come to Boise for other reasons to then be surprised by the award at the Land Board meeting. Governor Little and other board members were present and acknowledged the importance of workplace safety and expressed appreciation for Shannon’s commitment to safety.
We proud of her and the other nominees for their outstanding safety awareness and efforts to provide a safer workplace for fellow employees. If you have the opportunity, please congratulate Shannon on this accomplishment.
 Shannon McCormick with Governor Brad Little and Director Dustin Miller
 left to right: Attorney General Raúl R. Labrador, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Governor Brad Little, Shannon McCormick, Director Dustin Miller and Controller Brandon Woolf
Mentorship/Continued Development Program
IDL is encouraging participation in the Mentorship Program,designed to help facilitate peer development between 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
IDL has had good response from employees for the upcoming De-escalation Training. The March 12th training event in Coeur d'Alene is at capacity, but there is still room available for the Boise event on 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.
Taco Bar Potluck & Piñata
Last week the Boise Staff Office spent some time bonding as a team. The Executive Team members in Boise hosted a Taco Bar Potluck with staff bringing the fixings. Keeping with the same theme, employees had the opportunity to let loose and bat away at a taco shaped piñata. Special thanks to Renee Jacobsen for coordinating the pinata event.
 Michele Andersen helps get the Taco Bar open for business.
 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 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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