The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) has finally started producing budget bills which means that we could get serious about adjourning by the target of March 25.  So far this session 743 pieces of legislation have been drafted which is the most in 5 years, I think most of us would all agree that it is time for them to go home.     

CAFO Improvement Fund H559 replaces H466 to make a fund available to support investments in environmental projects on CAFOs to improve livestock byproduct, waste, nutrient and water management, its land application and storage systems.  Currently, the Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) Fund, I.C. 39-3628A, supports investments in farm and ranch projects that improve water quality standards in impaired water bodies in Idaho.  Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are not eligible for these projects because CAFOs do not directly discharge to water bodies.  This legislation would make CAFO’s eligible for funds to improve their nutrient management and establish a board which awards grant for the fund that currently is proposed by the governor to be $5 million.  H559 establishes a committee to review and award grants.  The legislation also clearly outlines criteria for the committee to use while selecting recipients of the grants.  H559 passed the full House of Representatives on 48-20 vote and the Senate 30 - 4, with votes against primarily due to the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s opposition and scoring the bill a -3.  The bill only awaits to be heard on the Senate floor.

Stockwater H608 further clarifies the procedure to be used by the State of Idaho prior to an order declaring certain stockwater rights to be forfeited under I.C. Sec. 42-222 for failure to put the rights to beneficial use.  H608 outlines the judicial process and provides a timeline to execute it under.  The legislation passed the House of Representatives and the Senate Resources and Environment committee.

Fences, Barbed Wire 1345 revises provisions for careless exposure of barbed wire fences, provisions regarding a property owner’s liability after receiving notice, and adjusts penalties.  ICA leadership met with Idaho Grain Producers Association leadership and bill sponsor Senator Mark Harris last week to discuss positive steps in creating accountability for landowners and livestock owners as neighbors.  The bill would add the language of disrepair in the exposure to barbed wire section of code, require responsible party to repair within 7 days, and create a three-tiered penalty structure which consists of $150 and $300 infractions respectively before a misdemeanor violation.  S1345 passed the Senate unanimously but was held in the House Agricultural Affairs Committee despite having the support of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Cattle Association, Idaho Wool Growers Association, Food Producers of Idaho, Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Idaho Sheriffs Association, and every legislator who is actively involved in agriculture.  Six House Agricultural Affairs Committee members voted to hold the bill in committee effectively killing the legislation for 2022. 

Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program S1344 creates the “Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program.” Money allocated to the fund would pay education debts for veterinarians committing to provide care primarily to large animals in a rural area. Payments would be capped at $25,000 per year up to a maximum of $75,000 per qualified applicant.  A fund and seven-member review board would be established.  S1344 was held in the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee last week, today new version of the bill was printed.  However, and new Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program S1380 was reprinted with minimal changes clarifying review committees role and extending it an additional year of commitment.  S1380 passed the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee last week on a close vote. 

Attorney General Lands Counsel S1372 changes the relationship of the Office of the Attorney General with the State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) and the Idaho Department of Lands. It allows the Land Board and the Department of Lands to hire independent counsel in consultation with the Director of the Department of Lands. The independent counsel may hire additional attorneys or contract with the Office of the Attorney General. This legislation does not affect the Attorney General’s position on the Land Board and passed the Senate State Affairs Committee last Friday.

Legislature Adjournment 1239aa identifies a "not to exceed" sine die date, it will help the Legislature to be more deliberative and timelier in doing the people’s business. Exceptions to address a gubernatorial veto and declared disaster and emergency events are provided for. In addition, with the passage of a concurrent resolution by both the Senate and the House the session can also be extended.  In layman’s terms the bill says that the legislative session will end on the last Friday of March unless it is voted by a 2/3rds majority to extend it.  An argument can be made that this legislation is the most important bill for not only Idaho agriculture but the well-being of all of Idaho and its representation by a citizen legislature.