Resources Conservation

MINUTES
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
DATE: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
PLACE: Room EW40
MEMBERS: Chairman Mendive, Vice Chairman Shepherd, Representatives Boyle, Vander
Woude, Manwaring, Raybould, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Pickett, Raymond, Tanner(14),
Miller, Dygert, Petzke, Sauter, Healey, Galaviz, Church
ABSENT/
EXCUSED:
Representative(s) Vander Woude, Manwaring, Tanner(14)
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 Mendive called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Chairman Mendive provided a reminder the committee would be taking a tour
of the Veolia Water Treatment Plant in place of our next meeting on Thursday,
February 19, 2026, and imparted where to meet and when.
Chairman Mendive recognized the committee page Kailynn Clark, today is her
last meeting and he invited her to say a few words about her future plans.
MOTION: Rep. Church made a motion to approve the February 9, 2026 and February 11,
2026 meeting minutes. Motion carried by voice vote.
H 652: Grayson Stone, substituting for Rep. Hall (D25) presented H 652 explaining how
the legislation naming a State sport came about and gushed over the earnest
efforts of a Twin Falls third grader named Betty Grandy who discovered Idaho
does not have an official state sport and who has been working to change that.
Betty Grandy, representing herself, was invited to speak about her proposal that
hunting be named the official state sport. She explained how she discovered Idaho
lacks an official state sport and the process she underwent to determine the favorite
among a few other options with the people who live in her home town.
Chairman Mendive put the committee at ease at 1:36 p.m. to applause the
presentation, and called the meeting back to order at 1:36 p.m.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to send H 652 to the floor with a DO PASS
recommendation. Motion carried by voice vote. Rep. Stone will sponsor the bill
on the floor.
Chairman Mendive turned the gavel over to Vice Chairman Shepherd for
consideration of Administrative Rules.
DOCKET NO.
20-0302-2401:
Andrew Smyth, Bureau Chief at Idaho Dept. of Lands (IDL) presented Docket
No. 20-0302-2401 pertaining to the Rules governing mined land reclamation.
He elaborated on the agency's authority, reviewed the details surrounding the
rule-making process and assured the committee that public comments have been
collected, considered, and when appropriate incorporated into the proposed Rules.
Will Tiedemann representing Idaho Conservation League spoke in neutral
support of Docket No. 20-0302-2401, however, he expressed concern over 5
years between updates, among other things, and pointed out instances of potential
inconsistency between Code and the Administrative Rules.

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MOTION: Rep. Raymond made a motion to approve Docket No. 20-0302-2401. Motion
carried by voice vote.
DOCKET NO.
20-0304-2401:
Marde Mensinger, Program Manger at Idaho Dept. of Lands (IDL) presented
Docket No. 20-0304-2401 pertaining to Rules for the regulation of beds, waters,
and airspace over navigable lakes in the State. She elaborated on the agency's
authority, reviewed the details surrounding the rule-making process and assured
the committee that public comments have been collected, considered, and when
appropriate incorporated into the proposed Rules.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to approve Docket No. 20-0304-2401. Motion
carried by voice vote.
DOCKET NO.
20-0308-2501:
Lawson Tate, Program Manger at the Idaho Dept. of Lands (IDL) presented
Docket No. 20-0308-2501 pertaining to easements on State-owned lands.
He elaborated on the agency's authority, reviewed the details surrounding the
rule-making process and assured the committee that public comments have been
collected, considered, and when appropriate incorporated into the proposed Rules.
In response to committee questions about easement appraisal charges stated
"to be determined" Lawson Tate explained sometimes an easement is remotely
located or fast-tracked or both and an on-staff appraiser is not available to conduct
the appraisal in the specified time so it is contracted out. The charges associated
with hiring qualified specialized appraisers varies greatly in these circumstances,
and Dept. of Lands (IDL) locates appraisers from community listings near the
pending easement, and does not maintain a list of preferred appraisers.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to approve Docket No. 20-0308-2501. Motion
carried by voice vote.
Vice Chairman Shepherd turned the gavel back over to Chairman Mendive.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting
adjourned at 2:06 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Representative Mendive Andrea Blades
Chair Secretary
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 17, 2026—Minutes—Page 2

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MINUTES
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
PLACE: Room EW40
MEMBERS: Chairman Mendive, Vice Chairman Shepherd, Representatives Boyle, Vander
Woude, Manwaring, Raybould, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Pickett, Raymond, Tanner(14),
Miller, Dygert, Petzke, Sauter, Healey, Galaviz, Church
ABSENT/
EXCUSED:
Representative(s) Petzke, Galaviz
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 Mendive called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
RS 33151: Rep. Boyle (D9) presented RS 33151 saying this legislation is about federalism.
Aside from what is stated in the US Constitution, Idaho does not have anything
in code specifying the state government has jurisdiction over matters occurring
within Idaho.
MOTION: Rep. Shepherd made a motion to introduce RS 33151. Motion carried by voice
vote.
RS 33185C1: Chairman Mendive explained that the sponsor of RS 33185C1 has requested
additional time.
UNANIMOUS
CONSENT
REQUEST:
Chairman Mendive made a unanimous consent request to remove RS 33185C1
from today's agenda. There being no objection the request was granted.
RS 33217: Rep. Shirts (D9) presented RS 33217 saying despite unused funds remaining
in the Big Game Depredation Fund at the end of the year, instances of unpaid
approved claims have come to his attention. This legislation clarifies procedures
and prioritizes the distribution of available funds on approved claims to ensure
landowners and producers are paid for losses incurred when funds still remain
for this purpose.
MOTION: Rep. Raymond made a motion to introduce RS 33217. Motion carried by voice
vote.
RS 33284: Grayson Stone, substituting for Rep. Hall (D25), presented RS 33284. He shared
a story about discovering that Idaho does not have an official state sport, and then
explained this legislation aims to fix that by naming hunting as Idaho's state sport.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to introduce RS 33284. Motion carried by voice
vote.
RS 33287C1: Rep. Pickett (D7) presented RS 33287C1 regarding relocation of wildlife. He
explained there was a last minute editing error pertaining notice, and then described
the correction for the committee in detail. This legislation is basically H 95 from last
session, and in response to comments received from Fish & Game, and other
members of this committee it has been reworked.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to introduce RS 33287C1. Motion carried by
voice vote.

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Chairman Mendive turned the gavel over to Vice Chairman Shepherd for the
consideration of administrative rules.
DOCKET NO.
24-3501-2501:
John Price, Bureau Chief at the Idaho Division of Occupational Licenses (DOPL)
presented Docket No. 24-3501-2501 which pertains to Rules of the Outfitters and
Guides Licensing Board. He described DOPL's rule making process and how the
input received during the process from Idaho Fish and Game, BLM, US Forest
Service, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association (IOGA), and other members of the
industry has been incorporated into the pending changes.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to approved Docket No. 24-3501-2501. Motion
carried by voice vote.
Vice Chariman Shepherd turned the gavel back over to Chairman Mendive.
Ryan Bernard, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Chief with the Division of
Occupational Licenses (DOPL) provided the committee with an annual agency
update. He reviewed the agency's authority, purpose, mission, funding, recent
activities and stood for committee questions.
Mathew Weaver, Director of the Idaho Dept. of Water Resources (IDWR) provided
an annual agency update. He covered several topics, including: budget, funding
and accomplishments of the new Water Administration Bureau, Water District
work, Surface Water Coalition (SWC) delivery, Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer
(ESPA) Area of Common Ground Water (ACGW) update, current Treasure Valley
ground water conditions, Idaho's rights connected to the Bear River Compact,
the IDWR and SWCC (Soil and Water Conservation Commission) merger, and
administrative update. Director Weaver responded to very specific committee
questions throughout the whole presentation.
Chairman Mendive invited Ken Burgess, representing Veolia Water, to say a few
words about the Water Treatment Plant tour the committee has been invited to
attend on February 19 during the regular meeting time. Ken Burgess explained he
is providing transportation and the tour is expected to last one hour, promising to
return participants to the Capitol by 3:00 p.m. He described some points of interest
and encouraged committee members to attend.
Jeff Raybould, Chairman of the Idaho Water Resources Board (IWRB) provided
an annual update. He spoke about several ongoing programs and projects, their
funding and progress, including the State Water Plan (SWP) review, the Eastern
Snake Plain Area (ESPA) CAMP revision, the IDWR Cloud Seeding Program, and
others, plus he responded to specific committee questions.
MOTION: Rep. Church made a motion to approve the February 3, 2026 meeting minutes.
Motion carried by voice vote.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting
adjourned at 2:58 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Representative Mendive Andrea Blades
Chair Secretary
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 11, 2026—Minutes—Page 2

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MINUTES
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
DATE: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
PLACE: Room EW40
MEMBERS: Chairman Mendive, Vice Chairman Shepherd, Representatives Boyle, Vander
Woude, Manwaring, Raybould, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Pickett, Raymond, Tanner(14),
Miller, Dygert, Petzke, Sauter, Healey, Galaviz, Church
ABSENT/
EXCUSED:
Representative(s) Vander Woude, Manwaring, Dygert
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 Mendive called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m.
Chairman Mendive recognized the University of Idaho students in the room
observing and the university representatives accompanying the group.
MOTION: Rep. Sauter made a motion to approve the January 21, 2026 meeting minutes.
Motion carried by voice vote.
Chairman Mendive turned the gavel over to Vice Chairman Shepherd.
DOCKET NO.
13-0103-2501:
Amber Worthington, Deputy Director at the Idaho Department of Fish and
Game (IDFG), presented the Agency's pending rule changes to Docket No.
13-0103-2501, and answered committee questions.
Lauren Smyser, Department of Financial Management (DFM) Legislative Affairs
Bureau Chief, was invited to advise the committee pertaining to potential editing of
proposed rules and she reiterated the options available to the committee.
UNANIMOUS
CONSENT
REQUEST:
Vice Chairman Shepherd made a unanimous consent request to drop concerns
about IDFG wording choices matching statues and move forward. There being
no objection the request was granted.
Trisha Heddon, IDFG Assistant Wildlife Bureau Chief, was invited to address
committee questions pertaining to compliance with open range grazing laws.
She explained that IDFG does comply with existing open range grazing statutes,
however, there are times when the interests of wildlife management and open
range grazing do not blend resulting in some necessary limitations but she assured
the committee those instances are carefully kept to a minimum.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to approve Docket No. 13-0103-2501. Motion
carried by voice vote.
DOCKET NO.
13-0116-2401:
Amber Worthington, Deputy Director at the Idaho Department of Fish and
Game (IDFG), presented the Agency's pending rule changes to Docket No.
13-0116-2401, and answered committee questions.
Erik Weiseth representing the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association testified as
neutral concerning Docket No. 13-0116-2401 saying his association stood neither
for nor against the changes.

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Jeff Abrams representing the Idaho Conservation League testified in support
of part and opposed to part of Docket No. 13-0116-2401, saying they support
language surrounding incidental trapping, but have concerns about some language
connected to endangered species.
MOTION: Rep. Raybould made a motion to approve Docket No. 13-0116-2401. Motion
carried by voice vote.
DOCKET NO.
13-0119-2501:
Amber Worthington, Deputy Director at the Idaho Department of Fish and
Game (IDFG), presented the Agency's pending rule changes to Docket No.
13-0119-2501, and stood for committee questions.
MOTION: Rep. Petzke made a motion to approve Docket No. 13-0119-2501. Motion
carried by voice vote.
Vice Chairman Shepherd turned the gavel back over to Chairman Mendive.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting
adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Representative Shepherd Andrea Blades
Vice Chair Secretary
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 27, 2026—Minutes—Page 2

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MINUTES
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
DATE: Monday, January 19, 2026
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
PLACE: Room EW40
MEMBERS: Chairman Mendive, Vice Chairman Shepherd, Representatives Boyle, Vander
Woude, Manwaring, Raybould, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Pickett, Raymond, Tanner(14),
Miller, Dygert, Petzke, Sauter, Healey, Galaviz, Church
ABSENT/
EXCUSED:
Representative(s) Vander Woude, Raybould
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 Mendive called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Chairman Mendive welcomed the committee members, introduced himself, the
vice chairman, the committee secretary and page and invited each to say a few
words.
Chairman Mendive invited individual committee members to introduce themselves
and say a few words.
Chairman Mendive explained some details about when the committee meets and
how materials for member review will be circulated and shared.
RS 32850: Rep. Boyle (D9) presented RS 32850 saying the proposed legislation moves
the current Idaho Forest Products Commission IDAPA Rules into Idaho Code,
specifically into Title 38, and Chapter 15.
MOTION: Rep. Shepherd made a motion to introduce RS 32850. Motion carried by voice
vote.
RS 32975: Rep. Boyle (D9) presented RS 32975 saying the proposed legislation asks the
Federal Government to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
(FLPMS) as the primary authority governing federal land management and land
exchanges.
MOTION: Rep. Pickett made a motion to introduced RS 32975. Motion carried by voice
vote.
RS 32883: Rep. Manwaring presented RS 32883 saying the proposed legislation moves the
Idaho Soil and Water Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
MOTION: Rep. Tanner made a motion to introduce RS 32883. Motion carried by voice vote.
Chairman Mendive introduced Rep. Tanner to speak to the committee in his JFAC
Chairman capacity regarding the intricacy of budget appropriations. Following
his brief introduction and response to some committee questions, Rep. Tanner
introduced Janet Jessup, a policy analyst from Legislative Services Office (LSO)
who presented the budget research resources available on the Legislative website.
Chairman Mendive asked for member volunteers to proof meeting minutes. Rep.
Church and Rep. Sauter volunteered and were assigned.

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ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the committee the meeting was
adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
___________________________ ___________________________
Representative Mendive Andrea Blades
Chair Secretary
HOUSE RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Monday, January 19, 2026—Minutes—Page 2

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