Idaho Legislative Session
The Idaho Legislative Session began Monday, January 6, with Governor Little's State of the State address. IDL has several pending rules this session, however, we have no proposed legislation this session.
IDL is following several bills:
The IDL Legislative Update will be available each week as we follow the session noting hearings and legislation that we will be following.
Associated Logging Contractors
Director Miller and several staff met with the Associated Logging Contractors on Wednesday, February 26. Each legislative session loggers & haulers spend time meeting with elected officials, watching committee meetings, and talking with the Director and staff.
IDL provided updates to the group on the Governor’s budget recommendation for IDL, legislation, and agency initiatives. IDL provides a third of the entire statewide volume for the timber industry, which helps support thousands of jobs in the forest sector, including harvesting operations. IDL also depends heavily on our loggers to voluntarily assist in fire suppression operations during fire season. The partnership with ALC is critical in meeting our endowment mandate and protecting our forests and natural resources.
IDL Budget
JFAC - IDL Decision Units
IDL's Decision Units went before JFAC on February 11. Janet Jessup with Division of Financial Management presented the budget and decision units to JFAC. Director Miller answered questions from committee members and made himself available for future questions.
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget
For the second year JFAC is first setting maintenance budgets for categories of agencies. IDL falls under the Natural Resources Maintenance Budget which also includes DEQ, Fish & Game, EFIB, Parks & Recreation and Water Resources.
On January 17, 2025, a combined total of $513,855,000 was approved for the agencies.
IDL Annual Update to Legislative Committees
Director Miller gave his annual update to the House Resources & Conservation Committee on Thursday, February 13 and to the Senate Resources & Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 26. This provided an opportunity to share IDL's successes in the last fiscal year, and to answer questions from committee members on a variety of topics and about some of the challenges we face with fire.
Rulemaking Presentations
The House Resources & Conservation Committee took up IDL's proposed rule changes on Thursday, February 13, but did not get through all the items. The remaining rules are scheduled for March 3.
IDL presented the rule changes to the Senate Resources & Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 26.
Rules Governing Administration of Cottage Site Leases on State Land
IDAPA 20.03.13 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.13 Administration of Cottage Site Leases on State Lands, a residential cottage site leasing program on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands.
- House Resources & Conservation - approved
- Senate Resources & Environment - approved
Rules Governing Grazing, Farming, Conservation, Noncommercial Recreation, and Communication Site Leases
IDAPA 20.03.14 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands (Department) administers IDAPA 20.03.14 – Rules Governing Grazing, Farming, Conservation, Noncommercial Recreation, and Communication Site Leases, leasing programs on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands.
- House Resources & Conservation - rejected section of original rule
- Senate Resources & Environment - rejected section of original rule
Rules Governing Geothermal Leasing on Idaho State Lands
IDAPA 20.03.15 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands (Department) administers IDAPA 20.03.15, Rules Governing Geothermal Leasing on Idaho State Lands a geothermal leasing program on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands and lands owned by other state agencies.
- Senate Resources & Environment - approved
Rules Governing Oil and Gas Leasing on Idaho State Lands
IDAPA 20.03.16 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.16, Rules Governing Oil and Gas Leasing on Idaho State Lands, an oil and gas leasing program on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands and lands owned by other state agencies.
- Senate Resources & Environment - approved
Rules Pertaining to Forest Fire Protection
IDAPA 20.04.01
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.04.01, Rules Pertaining to Forest Fire Protection under the authority of the Idaho Forestry Act (Title 38, Chapter 1, Idaho Code).
- Senate Resources & Environment - approved
Rules Pertaining to the Idaho Forestry Act and Fire Hazard Reduction Laws
IDAPA 20.04.02
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.04.02, Rules Pertaining to the Idaho Forestry Act and Fire Hazard Reduction Laws under the authorities of the Idaho Forestry Act (Title 38, Chapter 1, Idaho Code) and Fire Hazard Reduction Programs (Title 38, Chapter 4, Idaho Code).
- Senate Resources & Environment - approved
Rules Governing Conservation of Oil and Natural Gas in the State of Idaho
IDAPA 20.07.02 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.07.02, Rules Governing Conservation of Oil and Natural Gas in the State of Idaho under the authority of Title 47, Chapter 3, Idaho Code.
- Senate Resources & Environment - approved
Watch the committee hearing:
Strength in Preparation: IDL Trains with Volunteer Fire Departments
IDL's Southwest Forest Protective District participated in a joint training with 32 firefighters from eight volunteer fire departments in Boise County. The training was held February 8, and focused on strengthening wildfire response skills before the next major incident occurs.
Sand table exercises simulated Type 5 Initial Attack scenarios. Participants worked through incident size-ups and practiced effective communication with county and interagency dispatch centers – key components of a successful wildfire response. By refining these fundamental skills now, firefighters are ensuring they can act decisively to keep fires small.
This session was just the first in a series of training events, with exercises planned in March, April, and May. Each exercise will increase in complexity, ultimately preparing departments to conduct community evacuations during large-scale, emerging fires. By working together, building and reinforcing skills progressively, these firefighters are preparing themselves, and their communities, for a stronger, more coordinated response.
photo by Bryan Durkin
 
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IDL's Tyre Holfeltz to Receive a 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Award
Tyre Holfeltz has been selected to receive a 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Award. He will receive the award on March 28 during the Wildland-Urban Interface Conference in Kansas City, MO. The award is the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation.
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Tyre was nominated by Archie Gray followed by a competitive review. Among many things implemented, Tyre has spearheaded the expansion of Idaho’s Firewise Community, developed high-tech hazard mapping, and introduced a toolkit to empower homeowners with step-by-step guidance on creating defensible spaces, reaching 10,000 households.
Under Tyre’s leadership, more than 75,000 acres of hazardous fuels have been treated on state and private lands since 2018 and participation in IDL’s wildfire mitigation workshops has doubled with 1200 attendees in 2023.
The award program was established in 2014 by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service (USFS) in response to an overwhelming number of great wildfire mitigation program efforts happening across the United States.
Please join me in congratulating Tyre.
Tom Eckberg Retirement
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After 17 years of service, Tom Eckberg retired on January 17th from the Forest Health program. A retirement party potluck was held the week he retired, and many of his fellow IDL staff were able to share stories and kind words about Tom. Now he will have time to cut more firewood, get his Studebaker running, and spend time with his wife, Nina.
photo by Isabella Valdez
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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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