Agricultural Affairs

MINUTES
HOUSE AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
DATE: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
PLACE: Room EW42
MEMBERS: Chairman Raymond, Vice Chairman Shirts, Representatives Cannon, McCann,
Garner, Nelsen, Pickett, Sauter, Miller, Beiswenger, Dygert, Leavitt, Mendive, Hall
(Stone), Healey, Mathias, Haws
ABSENT/
EXCUSED:
McCann
GUESTS: The sign-in sheet will be retained in the committee secretary's office; following the
end of session the sign-in sheet will be filed with the minutes in the Legislative
Library.
Chairman Shirts called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
MOTION: Rep. Haws made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2026
meeting. Motion approved by voice vote.
Rachael Bikerton, Director of Government and External Relation, University
of Idaho (UI), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), Ag Research
and Extension (ARES), said the UI delivers a strong return on investment to the
State of Idaho by directly supporting producers, strengthening rural communities,
and advancing agricultural innovation. Research reduces risk at the farm gate.
Extension provides rapid, science-based solutions in every county, and workforce
programs supply industry with highly trained graduates—many with 100 percent
job placement. Even amid budget reductions, the university has prioritized
mission-critical positions and operational efficiencies to ensure careful stewardship
of taxpayer dollars while maintaining measurable economic impact for Idaho
agriculture.
Kimberly Kaiser, Director of the Idaho Water Resource Research Institute (IWRRI)
and Extension faculty in CALS, provided an overview of IWRRI’s mission, structure,
and recent activities. She reported on the Legislature’s $1 million appropriation,
outlined the institute’s research priority-setting process, and highlighted current
projects related to snowpack forecasting and water supply tools, managed aquifer
recharge and water quality, and harmful algal bloom monitoring. She emphasized
IWRRI’s role in providing independent, data-driven analysis to support water
management decisions statewide.
Chairman Shirts turned the gavel over to Chairman Raymond at 2:17 p.m.
H 630: Rep. Shirts presented H 630, which amends Section 22-102A, Idaho Code, to
revise provisions governing airborne control of predatory animals, move certain
administrative rule provisions into statute, nullify related rules, provide penalties,
and declare an emergency effective July 1, 2026.
MOTION: Rep. Leavitt made a motion to send H 630 to the floor with a DO PASS
recommendation. Rep. Leavitt declared a conflict of interest pursuant to Rule 80.
Motion carried by voice vote. Rep. Shirts will sponsor the bill on the floor.

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H 631: Rep. Shirts presented H 631, which amends Title 22, Chapter 1, Idaho Code, to
provide for Certificates of Free Sale, move certain administrative rule provisions
into statute, nullify related rules, provide for application fees and documentation
requirements, include a severability clause, and declare an emergency effective
July 1, 2026.
MOTION: Rep. Dygert made a motion to send H 631 to the floor with a DO PASS
recommendation. Motion carried by voice vote. Rep. Shirts will sponsor the bill
on the floor.
Chairman Raymond placed the committee at ease to recognize Paige Kailynn
Clark for her service to the House Agricultural Affairs Committee.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting
adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Representative Shirts Jayne Feik
Chair Secretary
HOUSE AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 18, 2026—Minutes—Page 2

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MINUTES
HOUSE AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
DATE: Monday, February 16, 2026
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
PLACE: Room EW42
MEMBERS: Chairman Raymond, Vice Chairman Shirts, Representatives Cannon, McCann,
Garner, Nelsen, Pickett, Sauter, Miller, Beiswenger, Dygert, Leavitt, Mendive, Hall
(Stone), Healey, Mathias, Haws
ABSENT/
EXCUSED:
None
GUESTS: The sign-in sheet will be retained in the committee secretary's office; following the
end of session the sign-in sheet will be filed with the minutes in the Legislative
Library.
Chairman Raymond called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
MOTION: Rep. Haws made a motion to approve the minutes of February 12, 2026. Motion
approved by voice vote.
Rep. Dygert introduced Idaho FFA state officers; Matthew Waite, Lizzy Mueller,
Emily Sorenson, Gabe Kitamura, Anna Hernandez, and Alie Misenheimer.
Chairman Raymond put the committee at ease to congratulate the officers. Rep.
Dygert introduced Hadley Brown, the National FFA Creed Speaking Competition
winner. Chairman Raymond put the committee at ease to congratulate Ms. Brown.
H 503: Rep. Manwaring presented H 503, explaining the legislation moves the Idaho Soil
and Water Conservation Commission (ISWC) under the Idaho Department of Water
Resources (IDWR) to cut administrative overlap and save money, while keeping
the Commission's role and responsibilities the same. It's expected to save about
$107,000 in personnel costs, with possible additional savings in other areas.
Braden Jensen, representing the Idaho Farm Bureau, and Mat Weaver, Acting
Administrator of the ISWC and Director of the IDWR, spoke in a neutral capacity
regarding H 503.
Tori O'Neal spoke in support of H 503.
MOTION: Rep. Mathias made a motion to send H 503 to the floor with a DO PASS
recommendation. Motion carried by voice vote. Rep. Manwaring will sponsor
the bill on the floor.
SCR 115: Rep. Miller presented SCR 115, in support of consolidating the Soil and Water
Conservation Commission with the Idaho Department of Water Resources to
improve efficiency while preserving each entity's core mission. The resolution
encourages collaboration among the Governor, the Idaho Association of Soil
Conservation Districts Board, the Legislature, and the Department's Director. The
consolidation is expected to streamline administration, reduce duplication, and save
an estimated $107,000 in General Fund personnel costs.
MOTION: Rep. Mendive made a motion to send SCR 115 to the floor with a DO PASS
recommendation. Motion Carried by voice vote. Rep. Miller will sponsor the bill
on the floor.

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Mathew Weaver, Acting Administrator of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation
Commission and Director of the Department of Water Resources, presented the FY
2025 Annual Performance Report, highlighting the Commission's support for Idaho's
50 conservation districts through voluntary, nonregulatory programs. Core functions
include financial and technical assistance, conservation loan administration, aquifer
and water quality initiatives, and coordination with state, federal, and local partners.
George Hitz, Deputy Administrator, reviewed FY 2025 performance and financial
results, reporting $1.58 million distributed to conservation districts and $2.5 million
invested in 16 Water Quality for Agriculture projects. Staff assisted nearly 3,000
landowners, provided extensive technical support, advanced CREP enrollment,
and implemented conservation practices on more than 43,000 acres. He also
noted strong district satisfaction.
Tori O'Neal, President of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts,
highlighted locally led conservation projects—including flood-to-pivot conversions,
stock tanks, the Rotary Bridge project, and wildfire response—and emphasized the
two-thirds state, one-third landowner cost-share model. In 2025, outreach reached
6,482 students, demonstrating voluntary, family-driven conservation remains
effective across generations.
Britany Hurst Marchant, Executive Director of the Idaho Wheat Commission,
reported the self-funded, grower-governed Commission (FY25 budget: $3.6
million) supports Idaho's family-run wheat industry through research, marketing,
and education. In 2025, Idaho led the nation with 93.5 bushels per acre, producing
106 million bushels—all No. 1 grade—with about half exported to expand markets
and ensure long-term industry viability.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting
adjourned at 3:09 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Representative Raymond Jayne Feik
Chair Secretary
HOUSE AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Monday, February 16, 2026—Minutes—Page 2

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