ICL Legislative Update: 2026 legislative session draws to an end
On the 81st day of the 2026 session, the Idaho State Legislature adjourned, with both chambers wrapping up by 6:30 p.m. After months of intense and often contentious debate, it was a welcome finish.
As we close out this final legislative newsletter, ICL thanks you—our members and supporters. Your voices made a difference when it mattered most, and together we helped shape a strong and successful session for conservation.
Now, a short break is in order. Still, preparations for the 2027 session begin in May with travel, planning, and strategy to strengthen partnerships with legislators and key NGOs in the months ahead. But before we look too far ahead, let’s recap the last week of the 2026 session.
Pesticides
One issue that remains active—and deeply concerning—is pesticide policy and ongoing efforts to shield pesticide manufacturers from liability for pesticide-related illnesses. While no state legislation was introduced in 2026, that outcome is thanks to your advocacy. By speaking up and urging legislators to reject corporate immunity throughout the session, you helped keep Idaho off the path taken by other states where such proposals gained traction.
Although the Idaho State Legislature has adjourned until January 2027, U.S. Congress returns from Easter recess on April 13 and is expected to take up the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) in the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed, this bill would significantly limit state authority over pesticide regulation.
The legislation would impose a single national standard for pesticide labeling, making approvals by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the only standard for liability. States would be blocked from adopting stronger protections.
In other words, H.R. 7567 would lower the ceiling on state lawmaking by:
Allowing states to pass laws—but not stronger ones
Overriding stricter state protections with federal standards
Shielding products that comply with EPA labels from state-level lawsuits
That means the state legislature could lose one of its strongest and most effective tools to protect consumers and hold manufacturers accountable. Don’t let it happen—take action today.
Wildlife
Unfortunately, several laws passed this session that will negatively impact wildlife.
One bill,signed by the Governor on the final day, follows recommendations from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s (IDFG) Hunting and Advanced Technology (HAT) working group to curtail or prohibit use of advanced technologies for game species. However, it also allows those same technologies to be used to pursue wolves, mountain lions and other predatory animals, as defined in Idaho Code. It allows the use of advanced technologies to retrieve wounded game animals and monitor traps—provisions that were not included in IDFG’s original proposal. This bill is now law.
Another concerning measure permits trappers to check their traps virtually every 72 hours. Because the 72-hour window can now begin when a trap is remotely viewed rather than physically checked, animals could remain in traps for longer than 72 hours once travel time is factored in. This bill was also signed into law.
On an encouraging note, a wildlife crossing memorial passed. SCR 124 recognizes and supports the development and implementation of wildlife crossings, improving public safety and protecting big game migration corridors through coordination with stakeholders at the intersection of transportation infrastructure and wildlife connectivity. Wildlife crossings are a win-win-win solution—they save lives, save wildlife, and save money. Please consider sending a thank-you message to Representative James Petzke to recognize this progress and encourage more in the future.
Public Lands
Because of your advocacy, the legislature passed SJM 111. While it is a memorial without direct legal force, it represents a meaningful signal of public will—and it likely would not have passed without years of Idahoans speaking out to keep public lands in public hands. Thank you.
Time and time again, Idahoans have stepped up to defend our vast public lands when they were at risk. These lands are where Idahoans connect most deeply with nature—and they are places we want preserved for future generations. These lands are the heartbeat of Idaho, and losing them would change the state forever.
Just as important, SJM 111—and the two bills that failed to advance—sparked bold, necessary conversations among stakeholders about why protecting public lands is central to Idaho’s identity and way of life.
We appreciate you. And we hope you are getting outside on our public lands to celebrate this win!
Alex’s Analysis
A huge thanks goes out to Alex Watt, ICL’s 2026 Legislative Fellow. Alex’s role was temporary at ICL, and today he started a new job. What Alex brought to the table was an analytical eye for detail, a thoughtful approach to debate, and a professional attitude in a statehouse. We know we will continue to see Alex around, making a difference for our public lands, air and wildlife in Idaho.
Listen of the Week
Adjournment occurred last Thursday, April 2 in the afternoon: watch here for the listen of the week. It was a tense session at times but it is behind us for now and we look forward to a respite. Thank you for hanging in there with us!
