Capitol Reflections: 2025 Session, Issue 11

By: Idaho Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs

 

 

 

“The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy. One’s right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.”  - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson – W. Virginia State Bd. Of Education v Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 638 (1943)

 

 

 

Capitol Minute

 

To help our members be fully informed about the issues going on during the legislative session, there will be a short video each week in which our Governmental Affairs team highlights what is discussed in length in the Capitol Reflections Newsletter. We strongly encourage members to continue reading the newsletter to get the most information, but this video will help when you want a quick synopsis or to learn about the issues on the go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Allows for State to Fight Federal Wildfires

 

H389, sponsored by Rep. Judy Boyle (R-Midvale), strengthens Idaho’s ability to take proactive wildfire management measures, ensuring the state is not forced to stand by while slow federal responses allow devastating fires to rage unchecked.

Last summer, wildfires wreaked havoc across Idaho, leading to poor air quality, financial hardship for livestock producers, and long-term damage to rangelands. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated trend, but what stood out was the Forest Service’s delayed response. In some cases, it took days for federal agencies to act, while Idaho officials could only watch as forests, infrastructure, wildlife, and livestock burned. During a Fall 2024 interim committee meeting, legislators saw firsthand the destruction caused by federal inaction—burned-out landscapes, lost grazing land, animals burned to a crisp, and displaced ranchers who suffered unnecessary losses.

H389 ensures Idaho can respond by allowing the state to step in when federal agencies fail to act. If the Governor declares an emergency, Idaho will have the authority to fight fires on federal land rather than waiting for bureaucratic approval. Additionally, the bill empowers the Attorney General to sue for reimbursement from the federal government for costs incurred due to its negligence.

Had the federal government responded more decisively last summer, much of the loss could have been prevented. H389 is a necessary step toward protecting Idaho’s land, economy, and citizens from the devastating impact of wildfire mismanagement. IFBF Policy 61.1 states, “we support fire-control policy to put out any fire upon arrival or as soon as safely possible.” IFBF Supports H389.

 

 

 

 

 

Local Option Tax Bill Introduced

 

In some communities, there is concern that residents are being required to pay increasing costs for law enforcement, first responders, and search and rescue, primarily due to large increases of tourists and other out-of-town recreators. H388 is intended to provide an option for local residents to capture some revenue from the visitors to help cover those increased expenses that are normally paid through property taxes.

H388 would authorize county commissioners to place a question on the ballot for a “county transient room tax.” By a majority vote during a general election in November, local voters may approve a tax on each night’s stay in a hotel, motel, short-term rental, vacation rental, or campground within the county.

The tax would be limited to be no more than 3% of the nightly rate for the lodging and would be for a specified period of time. If approved, 50% of the tax collected would be used for direct property tax relief to the residents of the county, while the other 50% of the tax would be used to fund local law enforcement, first responders, search and rescue or other emergency services.

One concern raised about H388 is that some counties receive lots of recreation and tourists during the day, but there is little to no lodging in the county, so it would not provide any revenue in those counties. The response is that it may not work for all counties, but it would be a benefit that some could use. 

Also, some were concerned about the mechanism for providing property tax relief, and whether that would just be temporary relief, or if it would help reduce the property tax budget to provide ongoing relief.

IFBF policy #98 states: “We support local option taxation when used specifically for projects that would have been paid for with property tax dollars.” This late in the session, it does not appear that H388 will be moving forward, but it is a good starting point to begin a dialogue about how to address this ongoing situation.

 

 

 

 

 

Update: Domestic Well Bill Passes and Becomes Law

 

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed S1083a at the end of last week. The bill was then sent to the Governor and was signed into law. Now that the bill is signed, these reforms to the domestic use exemption in state water law will help address Idaho’s ongoing groundwater challenges while ensuring fairness, water quality protection, and enforcement improvements.

Farm Bureau thanks all the stakeholders who were involved in the crafting of S1083a, and we express appreciation to all the legislators who supported the bill. The legislation represents more than three years of hard work led by the Idaho Water Users Association and reflects an appropriate update to water management in the state.

IFBF Policy #28 supports reforming Idaho’s domestic use exemption. IFBF supports S1083a.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: Agricultural Protection Areas Bill Advances

 

This week, the House Local Government Committee advanced S1133a, a bill aimed at refining Idaho’s Agricultural Protection Areas (APAs). The legislation builds on H608a, passed last year, which established the APA program to help landowners protect agricultural land from development pressures.

S1133a improves the APA application and approval process at the county level, ensuring greater clarity and efficiency. Developed in collaboration with the Idaho Association of Counties, the bill aligns with the needs of local elected officials responsible for APA oversight. The updates include clarifying that APAs do not alter county comprehensive plans or zoning classifications and establishing a dedicated APA map to aid county planning efforts.

The committee recognized the need to provide more options for property owners to protect their agricultural lands. S1133a is a simple clean up bill to further efforts that were started last year.

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Policy #143 supports voluntary agreements and incentive-based programs to safeguard agricultural land. S1133a strengthens the APA program by providing clearer guidelines for both landowners and local governments.

With its successful passage in the House Local Government Committee, S1133a now moves to the House Floor for a final vote. IFBF strongly supports the bill and urges its passage.

 

 

 

 

 

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Resources Available to Follow During Session:

Legislative Website Homepage: HERE

2025 Legislative Session Bill Center: HERE

List of Senate Committee Assignments: HERE

List of House Committee Assignments: HERE

Current Senate Committee Agendas: HERE

Current House Committee Agendas: HERE

Watch Committee Meetings and Floor Sessions Live: HERE

Governor’s Bill Action and Legislative Communications: HERE