IDL Firefighters Deploy to Texas
Firefighters from IDL, SITPA, and CPTPA have arrived in Texas to support ongoing wildfire response efforts. In total, 31 firefighters and 9 engines have headed south to strengthen suppression capacity during a period of heightened fire risk.
Current conditions in Texas are primed for extreme fire behavior — low relative humidity, high temperatures, and dry, receptive fuels are increasing the potential for rapid fire growth.
Crews were in-briefed in Amarillo and are now prepositioned in Dalhart.We’re proud to stand alongside our partners, helping protect communities and support our fellow firefighters.
Please join us in wishing our crews a safe and successful assignment.
 A few of our firefighters in Texas
 In-briefing in Texas
2026 Legislative Session
The Idaho Legislative Session began Monday, January 12, with Governor Little's State of the State address. IDL has several pending rules this session,and will have two legislative items this session. The IDL Legislative Update will be available each week as we follow the session noting hearings and legislation that we will be following.
Below are a few of the bills IDL is following.
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HB511 - Private forest land, surcharge - This legislation revises Section 38-111, Idaho Code to increase the structure surcharge levied on improved private forest land parcels from a maximum of$40 to a maximum of$100. This is a dedicated fund to support wildland fire preparedness.
- 02/04 Read Third Time in HOUSE – PASSED - 46-22-2
- 02/25 Reported out of Senate committee with a Do Pass Recommendation
- 02/27 Read second time; filed for Third Reading
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HB 746 - Fire, Deficiency Warrants - This legislation allows the state land board to issue deficiency warrants for reimbursable non-fire activities for emergencies.
- 02/20 Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
- 02/23 Reported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation
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SJR102 - State trust lands - Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to establish provisions for the management of certain lands granted or acquired from the federal government.
- 01/22 Senate - Reported Printed; referred to State Affairs
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SJR103 - State trust lands - Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to establish provisions for the management of certain lands granted or acquired from the federal government.
- 02/06 Senate - Reported Printed; referred to State Affairs
- 03/02 Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
- 03/03 Read second time; filed for Third Reading
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HJR008 - Public lands - Proposes an amendment to the state constitution regarding state-owned lands.
- 02/05 House - Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
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HJR010 - Public Lands - Proposes an amendment to the state constitution regarding state-owned lands.
- 02/18 House - Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
- 02/19 House - Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
- 02/23 House State Affairs Committee, Failed - 7-7 vote
- Visit the archive of IDL Legislative Update Newsletters
IDL Budget
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget
JFAC first sets 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.
The original IDL FY2026 appropriation was $82,411,900, on Feb. 13, JFAC set the IDL FY2027 maintenance budget at $76,567,700, a $7.1% decrease.
The original EFIB FY2026 appropriation was $1,009,500, on Feb. 13, JFAC set the EFIB FY2027 maintenance budget at $1,019,700, a 1% increase.
S1331 - Approp, recissions, FY26 reductions
S1363 - Approp,Natural Resources
JFAC Enhancement Budget
JFAC took up enhancement budgets for IDL and EFIB on Monday, Feb. 16. Director Miller presented information regarding IDL's achievements in FY25 and discussed serious challenges with the additional proposed legislative budget holdbacks, which will result in the department hiring fewer wildland firefighters for the upcoming fire season.
JFAC committee took up the enhancement budget on March 4 and voted to exclude money for wildfire protection and fire prevention.
Director Miller presenting to JFAC
IDL Annual Update to the Legislature
Director Miller had the opportunity to provide an annual agency update to the legislature. He gave a presentation to the Senate Resources & Environment Committee on Feb. 23 and to the House Resources & Conservation Committee on Feb. 25.
Committee members in both bodies asked good questions of the Director and IDL staff. Some inquired about budget cut ramifications on wildfire suppression and prevention, difficulty in hiring and retaining wildland firefighters, GNA expansion, timber markets and mill capacity.
 Trust Land Division Administrator Jim Elbin answers questions during Director Miller's presentation.
Rulemaking Presentations
IDL presented three sets of proposed rule changes this legislative session:
Both the House Resources & Conservation Committee and the Senate Resources & Environment Committee approved the rule changes.
Forestry Day at the Legislature
Forestry Day at the Legislature was Tuesday, January 13, with a lunch for legislators held at the Boise Centre on the Grove. The Director and other IDL leadership attended the luncheon providing opportunity to meet with legislators.
The theme was Why Mass Timber is Right for Idaho and was hosted by Intermountain and Inland Empire Society of American Foresters.
Director Meets with Congressional Leaders
Director Miller and Division Administrator of Trust Lands, Jim Elbin, recently paid a visit to our nation’s Capitol to meet with the Idaho State Delegation, natural resource committee staff from both the House and Senate, and USFS leadership over the course of two days. The primary focus of discussion was on a potential land exchange with the USFS for endowment lands around Payette Lake (approximately 16,000 acres) and USFS lands across the state. The proposal was well received by the delegation and committee staff and supported by the USFS to continue to refine the proposal.
FY2025 Annual Report Available Online
IDL's FY2025 Annual Report is available online and has been delivered to Land Board members and staff.
The communications team greatly appreciates all who helped contribute and confirm the information published in the report, and encourage everyone to make it their go-to source for information and facts about our agency.
Renee Jacobsen Honored by Land Board
Renee Jacobsen has left IDL and now works for EFIB. Renee worked for IDL for 18 years and handled all Land Board business and meetings. The Director said he wanted to recognize Renee for all the work she's done for the department. He recalled that when he started more than seven years ago Renee was one of the first people he met and she greeted him with such a big smile. He noted how Renee has always been very welcoming and warm and he appreciated all that she's done for him, IDL and the Land Board. He added, "She is very organized and focused on the details. She works well under pressure and you know, trying to trying to corral the entire board is a is a full time job. Renee handled all those challenges with grace and patience, always focused on high quality work product." Renee is very much appreciated and will be greatly missed..
 Renee Jacobsen honored by Land Board and the Director
SITPA/IDL Payette Lake's Chili Cookoff
On February 26, the 5th Annual SITPA/IDL-Payette Lakes Chili Cookoff took place. Payette Lakes own Ryan Waite took home the first place honors, keeping the championship trophy in IDL’s possession for the 2nd consecutive year. While Ryan was very secretive about what kind of meat was in the chili, staff has their suspicions….
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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