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IdahoH 07372026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

NATURAL RESOURCES – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to merge the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

NATURAL RESOURCES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Lemhi irrigators convert historic high flows

Lemhi Basin irrigators with SRBA‑decreed irrigation rights who claim Basin 74 high‑flow use could file by July 1, 2024 to convert that historic use into a stream‑flow maintenance right. The water department may use past high‑flow diversion records when licensing these permits. Each new right is capped at the user’s historic high‑flow use and cannot exceed ditch capacity as of August 25, 2014. Diversions must stop when the McFarland Campground minimum stream flow right is exercised, and water from a common source is shared proportionally unless the settlement says otherwise. The state sent broad notices by mail, newspaper, courthouse posting, and with 2023 tax statements to reach eligible right holders.

Livestock loss claims and appeals streamlined

Livestock owners seeking depredation compensation must file claims with the new office by December 31 each year. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture runs the program and pays from the depredation fund as appropriated and under department rules. Appeals to the depredating wildlife appeals board are now filed with the new office, which also coordinates appeal meetings.

New office merges species, energy, minerals

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho creates the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination in the Governor’s Office. On that date, all staff, records, and equipment from the two old offices move into the new office, and its employees become nonclassified. The law renames the species conservation fund so the new office can receive private, federal, and other public money, and lets the office use the renewable energy fund as appropriated. The office supports the Idaho Roadless Rule Commission and now holds the seat on the mine‑reclamation advisory group. The act’s provisions tied to this date take effect on July 1, 2026.

State approval required to release species

No one may introduce or reintroduce a species on Idaho lands or into state waters without state consultation and approval. This rule applies to federal, tribal, state, and private actors.

State leads wolf management and emergencies

The new office leads Idaho’s transition to state wolf management and coordinates with Fish and Game and other partners. A wolf disaster emergency can cover any Idaho area with a sighting confirmed by the office or Fish and Game. Beginning July 1, 2026, any wolf emergency order must tell the office to start emergency proceedings and must be filed with the office, Fish and Game, the Secretary of State, and each affected county sheriff.

Species delisting teams and plan approvals

Fish and Game, working with the new office, can set up a delisting advisory team of up to nine members. Non‑public members can be paid from the Governor’s Office budget, while state employees are paid by their agency. When the Fish and Game Commission approves a management plan that protects a species after delisting, it sends the plan to the new office and to the legislature. The legislature then approves, amends, or rejects the plan by concurrent resolution at its next regular session. The new office can ask agencies to start rulemaking for an approved plan.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Judy Boyle

    Republican • House

  • Lori Den Hartog

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/16/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 30 • No: 2

House vote • 2/26/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 66 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2026 Session Law Chapter 66 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/20/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 4:22 p.m. on March 18, 2026

    3/19/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/18/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/18/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/18/2026Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/17/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/17/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 30-2-3

    3/16/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  10. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Resources & Environment

    2/27/2026Senate

  12. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    2/27/2026Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 66-4-0

    2/26/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/25/2026House

  15. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    2/24/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation

    2/20/2026House

  17. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    2/19/2026House

Bill Text

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