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 rights, state lands
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
- 02/28 Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
- 02/29 House - Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
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
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02/22 Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
Read First Time, Referred to Resources & Conservation
- 02/26 Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
- 02/27 Senate - Read second time; filed for Third Reading
- 02/29 Senate - Passed: Ayes 33 Nays 0 Excused 2; title approved; to House
Visit the archive of IDL Legislative Update Newsletters
IDL Rulemaking
All IDL Rulemaking is now complete with the House Resources and Conservation Committee taking up the Rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operations on Thursday, February 29. They accepted all but one section regarding an increase in fees to cover costs, stating statute requires the exact cost be billed to each person rather than an average cost for all.
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.
- 02/29 The House Resources and Conservation Committee voted to accept this pending rule fee with the exception of section 51.01.a.
- 02/9 The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted to accept this pending fee rule.
Annual Performance Report
On Monday, February 26 Director Miller presented IDL's Annual Performance Report to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee, providing an overview of accomplishments, goals, and performance measures. Committee members asked about the Veterans' Cemetery acquisition, GNA and how IDL determines the amount of endowment timber to be harvested. IDL was also thanked for its hard work, professionalism and success with its fire program.
The director previously gave two presentations to the House Resources and Conservation Committee. The first was IDL's Annual Performance Report on January 31. The second was a presentation on Endowment Land Management and the Land Bank which provided the opportunity for the Director and EFIB Manager Chris Anton to explain endowment reform, constitutional and statutory requirements as well as policies and process for reaching the goals and meeting requirements for distributions.
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.This appropriation is only for the FY25 enhancements and replacement items the Department is requesting, as the ongoing maintenance budget of $84 million was approved through the maintenance budget process earlier in the session (Senate Bill 1269). The transfer of $17,000,000 to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund also 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
- 02/26 Senate - Signed by Governor on 02/26/24
Budget Documents
Associated Logging Contractors
Director Miller, Bill Haagenson, Craig Foss, Jim Elbin, Archie Gray and Robbie Johnson met with members of the Associated Logging Contractors on Wednesday, February 28 and attended their evening reception.
Shawn Keough, Executive Director of the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho led a panel discussion at the Idaho Capitol. Topics included IDL's work to provide a sustainable timber supply, Forest Legacy, and recognition of the role loggers play in Idaho's $2.5 billion timber industry and forest health programs.
The following reception drew many Idaho lawmakers who interacted with logging contractors and IDL leadership.
Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho represents 536 independent logging and wood hauling contracting companies from across the state.
 IDL leadership meeting with Associated Logging Contractors
Idaho Outfitters and Guides "Taste of Idaho" Wild Game Feed
Director Miller attended the annual Idaho Outfitters and Guides (IOGA) Wild Game Dinner on February 22. 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 of 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.
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
Leadership Idaho Agriculture Graduation
On Friday, February 23, 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
Bear on a Chair
Help the Idaho Department of Lands celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday in August. You have heard of “Elf on a Shelf.” Well, to highlight fire prevention efforts this year we have our very own “Bear on a Chair.”
Since 1944, Smokey Bear has taught millions of Americans about their role in preventing wildfires. To celebrate this milestone birthday at IDL, we want your help sharing how preventing wildfires is an important part of everything we do at IDL. Pictures will appear on IDL social media, our website, and in these Director’s Updates.
Idaho’s Fire Prevention Officer Jen Russell will be sending Smokey Bears to all IDL offices. We’d like you to take it from there. Take pictures of Smokey “sitting in” on your work.
Are you involved in grazing leases? Smokey could be out with you in the field, or at your desk. Leases can help reduce fuel loads.
Navigable waterways? Wildfires can increase erosion in our watersheds that impact lakes and rivers.
Taking your ATV out to the field? Bring Smokey along and show that you don’t have dragging chains on the trailer you haul. Or in any vehicle, use Smokey to show that you don't park in tall dry grass when you stop for your field work.
View this week's post on Facebook and other IDL social media.
 To participate:
- Take a picture of Smokey Bear on a chair, or as close as you can to it
- Write down what Smokey is doing/watching
- Send the photo and what you wrote to Jen Russell at jrussell@idl.idaho.gov.
You will be credited in captions of your photos (unless you’d rather not be). On Smokey’s birthday, we will put the photos together for a mega birthday post and collection for IDL Staff.
Everyone who submits a photo will be entered into a raffle on Smokey's birthday for some really cool Smokey swag that Jen has acquired.
We are excited for you to participate!
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.
Many skill sets are needed other than just forestry, so ALL volunteers are welcomed with gratitude.
In addition to the satisfaction of introducing kids from 5th to 12th grades to Idaho forests and resource management, all volunteers are provided hot drinks and donuts, a catered barbeque lunch, and a promo gift. Most of all, the Contest is a great opportunity to connect with friends and colleagues from all over the state while helping support the education of our kids.
Watch your email for the volunteer registration!
High Visibility PPE Shirts
It's time to order high visibility shirts! These shirts are available to field going employees if a significant portion of your job duties involve working in conditions where use of high-visibility PPE is required or recommended such as logging operations, in log yards, or inspections of private and IDL lands.
Supervisors and managers of eligible positions have received the link to the order form. If you believe that you are eligible for this program and have not received the order form link from your supervisor, please see him or her.
Thank you Jonathan Luhnow for modeling these items for us.
 
Idaho IRA UCF Grant Program
Idaho Department of Lands Urban and Community Forestry Program is opening up our portal for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Project Proposals. Quick facts and forms can be found here.
2024 Arbor Day Grant Program
Idaho Department of Lands Urban and Community Forestry in cooperation with Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) is once again providing grants to assist communities with celebrating Arbor Day in 2024. These grants are made possible in part by the generous contributions from sponsors Idaho Power, Rocky Mountain Power, and Avista utilities. This year 45 Arbor Day grants will be awarded to Idaho communities in the amount of $300.00 each for “Planting Idaho.”
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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