IDL Budget Signed
JFAC Appropriations and Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund
The bill for IDL and EFIB's appropriations was signed by the governor on March 21.
Senate Bill 1410 - Appropriations - State Board of Land Commissioners
- 03/11 Senate - Passed: Ayes 22 Nays 13 Excused 0; title approved; to House
- 03/14 House - Passed: Ayes 42 Nays 26 Abs/Excd 2, title approved, to Senate
- 03/19 Senate - Reported delivered to Governor at 4:52 p.m. on 03/19/24
- 03/21 Senate - signed by the Governor on 3/21/24
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget, Senate Bill 1269, was signed by the Governor on February 26.
Idaho Legislative Session
IDL continues following the legislative session and a number of bills as we get close to the end of the 2024 legislative session. There are several 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.
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
- 03/12 House - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
- 03/13 House - Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
- 03/14 Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 68-0-2; Title apvd - to Senate
- 03/15 Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
- 03/18 Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
- 03/19 Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
- 03/21/2024 Senate - Signed by Governor on 03/21/24
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
- 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
- 03/01 House - Read First Time, Referred to Resources & Conservation
- 03/07 House - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
- 03/08 House - Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
- 03/13 Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 69-0-1
Title apvd - to Senate
Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
-
03/14 Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
- 03/15 Senate - Reported delivered to Governor at 8:04 a.m. on 03/15/24
- 03/19 Signed by Governor at on 03/19/24
Senate Bill 1442 - Endowment Trust Land
Adds to existing law to clarify the duties of the state board of land commissioners in the lease of state endowment trust lands, to require bonds under certain circumstances, and to provide for rulemaking.
- 03/22 Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
Visit the archive of IDL Legislative Update Newsletters
IDL Rulemaking
The Concurrent Resolution for IDL's rulemaking is working its way through the legislature.
House Concurrent Resolution 36 - Rule approval, exception, lands
States findings of the Legislature and approves pending rules of the Idaho Department of Lands reviewed by the House Resources and Conservation Committee, with an exception.
- 03/13 Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
- 03/14 Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
- 03/15 House - Adopted: Ayes 68 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 2, title approved, to Senate
- 03/18 Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
Introduced, read first time; referred to: Resources & Environment
Commercial Ground Lease Available Near the Boise Airport, IDL Looking for Requests for Proposals
A commercial parcel known as "Little Gowen," located at Gowen Road and Federal Way in Boise, is currently available for a commercial ground lease.
The parcel is approximately 3.7 acres and is within Boise City limits and is zoned light industrial. Proposers may offer a lease for up to 49 years.
Generally, to negotiate a commercial ground lease IDL first solicits interest via a Request for Proposals (RFP). Each proposal will be wholly evaluated while keeping in alignment with Idaho’s constitution, which states endowment land is to be managed for the long-term financial return to the endowment beneficiaries. Once an RFP is awarded, the winner will be eligible to negotiate a lease with IDL for their proposal.
Idaho’s constitution also requires IDL to use a competitive bidding process when awarding leases. Once final, the negotiated lease will be opened and advertised to the public at large. The winner of the RFP and any other interested parties are provided the same opportunity to compete at auction by offering a premium bid for the right to secure the lease.
Recruiting Firefighters in Southwest Idaho
With the high cost of housing and the competitive job market, the Southwest Forest Protective District faces challenges in getting applicants for firefighting positions.
IDL sent out a news release in hope of garnering the attention of potential applicants. The message noted Idaho's continued population growth, more unwanted human-caused fires and the need for members of our wildfire crews.
IDL seasonal firefighters earn between $15.91 - $19.09 an hour, depending on experience. In addition to an hourly wage, firefighters earn overtime and hazard pay when actively working to suppress wildfires.
The release noted the future need of wildland firefighters, bringing awareness to Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and Idaho Land Board Commissioner Debbie Critchfield efforts with the Idaho Career Ready Students program. It increases the capacity of Career Technical Education (CTE) in Idaho middle and high schools by offering districts grant opportunities to create programs that prepare students to meet local and regional workforce needs. Several grants have been awarded to support logging education and the timber industry. Firefighting training programs in Idaho high schools could be eligible for future grants.
IDL's Southwest Forest Protective District Assists Idaho Fish & Game with a Prescribed Burn
On Wednesday, March 20, IDL wildland firefighters assisted Idaho Fish and Game with a prescribed burn for the Roswell Marsh Wildlife Habitat Area near the community of Roswell.
The burn was needed to control noxious weeds. IDL's Southwest Forest Protective District provided the same treatment to the marsh 12 years ago.
Weather worked with firefighters and they were able to complete the prescribed burn in one day.
Photos were taken by IDL employee Ruth Luke
 
Dock Builder Application Workshops
Each year the IDL Navigable Waterways program processes hundreds of encroachment permit applications. In an effort to be helpful, transparent, and overall better suited to work together, the Navigable Waters North Ops Team offered two dock builder application workshops in North Idaho in February. The workshops covered what encroachments need to be permitted, the statutes and rules regarding permitting, and the application process.
The 2-hour workshops were well received. About 20 people attended the Pend Oreille Lake Supervisory Area event which included many of the dock builders from the Sandpoint area, in addition, our co-permitting friends from the Army Corp of Engineers attended. The workshop at the Mica Supervisory Area attracted about 10 people. Both workshops were a great teaching, learning, sharing, and networking experience for the participants and presenters.
 Mike Ahmer presentation at the Dock Builder Application Workshop POL Supervisory Area
2023 Employee of the Year Nominations
Each year we recognize these employees with our Overall Employee of the Year and Values Employees of the Year awards. It is time again to showcase IDL's top performers for 2023.
Last week the Director announced nominations are open for the 2023 IDL Employee of the Year.
The Director expressed his gratitude for the incredible work IDL employees do each and every day. Their dedication and support of our mission is unparalleled and he is honored to work with this great team.
Nominations can be made by anyone within IDL and there is no limit to the number of nomination for the five awards that will be given.
Save the Date- State Arbor Day Celebration
Idaho's Arbor Day Celebration is just around the corner. The state event is scheduled for Friday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at the Idaho State Historical Society. Please mark your calendars and we hope you are able to attend.
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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