Sporting group legislative update below. As stated before, this is designed to be purely informational – I’ll provide some context, but the goal is to circulate issues that are relevant to our community rather than to editorialize.
The Legislature is now in the home stretch. Other than the bills listed below, it is unlikely that anything on the sporting side will move this session.
IDFG Director as a Governor Appointment
Senate Bill 1300 has passed both the Senate and the House and is now on the Governor’s desk for signature.This bill would make the IDFG Director (as well as a couple of other agency directors) a Governor appointee. This would take the authority to hire and fire the Director out of the hands of the IDFG Commission.
Open Fields Doctrine
Senate Bill 1326 has passed the Senate and the House and is now on the Governor’s desk for signature. This bill would remove the ability for game wardens to access private property to enforce game laws unless they have a warrant or have an immediate and pressing need (such as witnessing a crime being committed). It would also impost a $1,000 civil fine on conservation officers, but exempts most other law enforcement from this fine.
Hunting Technology
House Bill 939 takes the place of the previous rules on technology proposed by IDFG. It prohibits the use of thermals, transmitting trail cams on public land, night vision, and drones during big game seasons with carve-outs for wolves, mountain lions, game recovery, checking traps, and livestock protection. It has passed the House and the Senate Committee and is now on the Senate floor.
Wildlife Crossings
Senate Concurrent Resolution 124 has now passed and been adopted. It is a statement on behalf of the Legislature supporting the merits of wildlife crossings, where appropriate and supported by local communities, to enhance public safety and facilitate wildlife migrations in Idaho.
Public Lands
Senate Joint Memorial 111 has now passed and been adopted. It is a statement on behalf of the Legislature that public lands in Idaho are highly valued by Idahoans and should not be sold or transferred.
Lifetime Hunting Licenses
House Bill 855 would change the residency requirement for obtaining an Idaho lifetime hunting or fishing license from 6 months to 5 years. The bill has passed the House and Senate Committee and is now on the Senate floor.
Transmitting Trail Cameras for Wolf Traps
House Bill 678 would grant wolf trappers the ability to utilize transmitting trail cams to satisfy the requirement to check their traps every 72 hours, rather than having to do it in person. This bill originally provided for full rulemaking authority to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to regulate how this would be done, but that provision was cut. The bill has passed the House and the Senate and is now on the Governor’s desk.
Hunting as Idaho’s State Sport
House Bill 652 – This would make hunting the state sport of Idaho. The idea for this came from a 4th grade constituent of the sponsor who provided her own testimony (widely covered by the media), and the bill is now law. Hunting is now the state sport of Idaho.
Nick Fasciano
Executive Director, Idaho Wildlife Federation
202-280-3677 | idahowildlife.org
1020 W Main St, #450, Boise, ID