Idaho Bills
3 bills · 2026 Regular Session
States findings of the Legislature and supports retention of public lands in Idaho.
This Joint Memorial recognizes the importance of Idaho's public lands with its unique and varied landscapes. It acknowledges that access to those public lands is the cornerstone of Idaho's identity and essential to our way of life. Selling or transferring public lands would jeopardize that access and tradition, while placing unpredictable financial burdens on local and state governments, and Idaho taxpayers. This Joint Memorial encourages Idaho's congressional delegation to continue its efforts to oppose any attempts to sell or transfer Idaho's public lands and to introduce or co-sponsor legislation such as the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.
Treg Bernt · SD-021
Proposes an amendment to the state constitution regarding state-owned lands.
The purpose of this Joint Resolution is to amend Article IX, Section 8 of the Idaho Constitution to establish an updated framework for managing state endowment and public lands. The amendment replaces the "maximum long-term financial return" mandate with expanded land management practices that prioritize ongoing revenue generation, including but not limited to timber sales, mining, and grazing, followed by public access for recreation, hunting, fishing, and trapping. The amendment continues to allow the sale or exchange of these lands while reducing pressure on the state to sell them solely because of their high value. This resolution preserves all existing options for timber, mining, and grazing, and remains fully compliant with the Idaho Admissions Act without altering the Land Board’s structure or the Endowment’s beneficiaries.
Britt Raybould · HD-034B
Proposes an amendment to the state constitution regarding state-owned lands.
The purpose of this Joint Resolution is to amend Article IX, Section 8 of the Idaho Constitution to establish an updated framework for managing state endowment and public lands. The amendment replaces the "maximum long-term financial return" mandate with expanded land management practices that prioritize ongoing revenue generation, followed by public access for recreation, hunting, fishing, and trapping. The amendment continues to allow the sale or exchange of these lands, but reduces pressure on the state to sell them solely because of their high value. The amendment also includes language for adopting similar land management practices if the federal government transfers new public lands to Idaho. Such transfers would be subject to valid and existing rights and obligations. The amendment also supports the recognition of future rights and obligations as identified by state law. This resolution preserves all existing options for timber, mining, and grazing, and remains fully compliant with the Idaho Admissions Act without altering the Land Board’s structure or its beneficiaries.
Britt Raybould · HD-034B