S1271⚡ CLOSE VOTE2026 Regular Session

Adds to existing law to declare certain rats a public health and safety nuisance and to require abatement.

RATS -- Adds to existing law to declare certain rats a public health and safety nuisance and to require abatement.

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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The purpose of this legislation is to address the growing presence of invasive Norway rats and roof rats in Idaho, which pose risks to public health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Idaho has not historically had established populations of these rats, and early, coordinated action is necessary to prevent permanent establishment and increased long-term costs. This legislation declares these rats to be public nuisances and aligns their treatment across existing Idaho laws governing invasive species, agricultural pests, and public health pests. It designates the Idaho Department of Agriculture as the coordinating agency to work with state and local partners using existing authority and resources, without creating new programs or requiring new funding.

FISCAL NOTE

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There will be no fiscal impact to the state general fund at this time. This legislation does not appropriate new state funds or create a new state program. Any initial costs related to pest control and abatement efforts will be addressed within existing city and county budgets, particularly in the Treasure Valley, Idaho area. As additional information becomes available regarding the extent of the rat population, its spread, and appropriate response strategies, costs and potential funding needs may be evaluated by the legislature at a later time.

BILL TEXT

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LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE SENATE SENATE BILL NO. 1271 BY AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO ABATEMENT OF RATS; AMENDING TITLE 52, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDI-2 TION OF A NEW CHAPTER 5, TITLE 52, IDAHO CODE, TO DECLARE CERTAIN RATS A3 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY NUISANCE AND TO REQUIRE PROMPT ABATEMENT; AND4 DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Title 52, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended7 by the addition thereto of a NEW CHAPTER, to be known and designated as Chap-8 ter 5, Title 52, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:9 CHAPTER 510 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY NUISANCES11 52-501. RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE -- NUISANCES. (1) The legislature12 finds that the state of Idaho, in particular its more metropolitan areas,13 has seen a dramatic increase in the presence of rats, which is especially14 concerning given their lack of historic presence in Idaho and their ability15 to easily transport diseases that are transmittable to humans and to cause16 economic damage to agriculture and property.17 (2)(a) The Norway rat and the roof rat (rats), are hereby declared to18 be:19 (i) A public health and safety nuisance, pursuant to the provi-20 sions of this section;21 (ii) An invasive species for the purposes of chapter 19, title 22,22 Idaho Code;23 (iii) An agricultural pest for the purposes of chapter 26, title24 25, Idaho Code; and25 (iv) A vermin and public health and welfare pest for the purposes26 of chapter 28, title 39, Idaho Code.27 (b) The public health and safety nuisance created by the presence of28 such rats in Idaho shall be summarily abated consistent with the pro-29 visions of this section, existing statutory authority, and due process30 requirements.31 (3) The director of the department of agriculture shall:32 (a) Execute the provisions of this section as expeditiously as possible33 and to the fullest extent permitted by law;34 (b) Coordinate efforts, to the maximum extent possible, with:35 (i) The boards of county commissioners wherein the rats are, are36 suspected to be, or may soon be present;37 (ii) Control districts, the boards thereof, and the boards of38 county commissioners operating pursuant to chapter 26, title 25,39 Idaho Code;40

2 (iii) Abatement districts, the boards thereof, and the boards of1 county commissioners operating pursuant to chapter 28, title 39,2 Idaho Code;3 (iv) Public health districts and the boards thereof, pursuant to4 chapter 4, title 39, Idaho Code;5 (v) Any other state agency, department, or political subdivision6 that the director determines necessary to summarily abate rats in7 Idaho; and8 (vi) Any other entity, public or private, that the director de-9 termines necessary to summarily abate rats in Idaho, including10 through the promotion of public education materials;11 (c) Develop and implement a coordinated plan of action by November 1,12 2026, to summarily abate the rats; and13 (d) Develop and distribute the public educational material that will14 assist in eradication of the rats and prevention of their return.15 (4)(a) The public is encouraged to report, and political subdivisions16 of the state shall report, the presence of rats to the Idaho invasive17 species hotline.18 (b) The director shall collect and compile all reports regarding the19 presence of rats in order to:20 (i) Determine the movement and location of the rats;21 (ii) Determine where abatement is necessary; and22 (iii) Determine where the department needs assistance to abate the23 rats.24 (c) Such reports along with the department's abatement plan, the ac-25 tions already taken and currently in progress to abate the rats, and26 educational materials shall be made publicly available on the depart-27 ment's website.28 (5) If the director requests assistance from any political subdivision29 of the state to execute the provisions of this section, the political subdi-30 vision shall make itself available, to the maximum extent possible.31 (6) The director is authorized to expend funds pursuant to section32 22-1912, Idaho Code, to execute the provisions of this section as quickly33 as possible. Cooperating entities with available funding mechanisms shall34 share in the cost of abating the rats, to the extent that funds are available.35 (7) This section may be known and shall be cited as "The Idaho Rodents of36 Unusual Size Act."37

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby38 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after its39 passage and approval.40