Note: This REALLY IS the last Legislative Update of the session. To receive a full end of session report, Join ICL, and you’ll receive the Special Sine Die Update right in your very own mailbox!
Last week, the Idaho Legislature finalized several bills, rejected some supplemental funding proposals, and adjourned its session for the year. They’re not even going to stick around the customary 5 days to consider overturning any potential vetoes from Governor Little.
Unfortunately, one of the final bills that ICL was concerned with (House Bill 389) passed and was signed into law. Another, HB 148, is still awaiting the Gov’s signature, and we’re hanging onto a shred of hope that he might veto it. Check back on the blog this week if you’re curious too? Both bills could potentially cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars and threaten critical collaborative wildfire and natural resource efforts. Despite the risks, they both passed the Senate last week by overwhelming margins.
Sadly, as the final gavel fell, the Land Bank Bill (HB 129)—which aimed to reinvest dollars generated from state land sales into other public land acquisitions—died on the vine. So unless the Idaho Land Board spends $8 million by the end of the year, the funds will instead be diverted to the New York Stock Exchange, instead of being spent to acquire new public lands in Idaho.
Also in the Department of Disappointments, the Cyanidation Mining Bill (Senate Bill 1170) was transmitted to the Governor and signed into law within 25 minutes of landing on his desk. In addition, the Governor signed two troubling transportation bills (SB 1140 and 1144) that will restrict public safety improvements like crosswalks and bike lanes, despite pleas from Idahoans who asked for a veto, including ICL.
Aside from their adjournment for the year, there was another shred of good news last Friday when the Senate State Affairs Committee killed HB 471. It was a last-ditch effort from Rep. Joe Palmer (R-Meridian) and House Speaker Mike Moyle (R-Star) to undermine the Ada County Highway District Commission, which Thankfully died on a razor-thin 5-4 vote after facing robust opposition from 90+% of those who testified, including ICL’s Cynthia Gibson!
In the end, there’s no doubt it was a challenging year…but against all odds, we had some notable victories! Thank you to everyone who spoke up, contacted legislators, and took action to support conservation—it truly makes a difference! To read the full report and all the nitty gritty of what went down this session, make sure you…Join Today!
Cynthia’s Corner
My first session working with Jonathan and ICL was nothing short of action-packed! We worked on bills ranging from wildfires to renewable energy, public lands, backyard chickens, wildlife detention, to cloud seeding. What a fun session, but yes, I plan to recharge my batteries in the coming weeks before I start ramping up for next year, when I won’t be able to lean on Jonathan. 
One sleeper bill that flew out of the shoots early in the session, without much fanfare, was SB 1001, sponsored by Senator Lenney (R-Nampa). The bill provides a process to quickly dismiss potential Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, or SLAPP suits, which are designed to discourage public involvement. The most recent notable SLAPP suit in Idaho was when a wealthy Stanley landowner applied to build his airstrip, and faced local opposition. His application was approved but he sued local stakeholders who spoke out in opposition. SB1001 is now law.
The Legislature’s opposition to renewable energy was on display this session. Several measures were designed to discourage or stymie projects in Idaho, but the good news is most of their bills didn’t pass. Renewable energy represents the lowest cost, least risk source of power for Idaho, which is why utilities have identified the need to ramp up green power. They know as Idaho continues to grow, we’re going to need it.
ICL anticipates more obstacles to wind and solar power in the coming years. In response, we plan to work with utilities, regulators, and consumers to understand the tradeoffs between different energy sources, to find the best solutions that meet Idaho’s needs. Our work is cut out for us, no doubt, but Idahoans only benefit from good clean energy sources.
All in all, it was a whirlwind of a first session—full of learning, fast-moving bills, and important wins. I’m grateful for the chance to work with ICL and will soon be gearing up for the 2026 session, ready to advance ICL’s goals—Let the countdown begin! Only 273 days!
Tie of the week!
As the thermometer rose this spring, tradition held, and uglier and uglier ties came out to encourage legislators to head home for the year. It’s been 40 years since Bob Fick, longtime AP reporter, started the tradition and it remains alive and well. I donated some of my favorite (least favorite?) ugly ties to our reporter friends at the statehouse. They can’t wait til the 2026 session starts either! 
Anyway, this Ugly Tie (!) did the trick…and the 2025 Idaho Legislature adjourned for the year…and while they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I’m not sure that saying holds true for this special unit of neckwear… Whaddya think?
My final Tie of the Week is dedicated to Cynthia Gibson, ICL’s Government Relations Associate. She joined the team at the beginning of the session, hit the ground running, and was eager to jump into the fray. She testified on bills, attended countless committee hearings, dealt with the legislature’s (and my) mania, and I know she’s already looking forward to the 2026 session, after a little break… In January 2026, she’ll be standing up for Idaho’s environment and defending the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the lands and wildlife we love…This tie’s for you Cynthia!
So long, and thanks for all your support over the years…YOU make ICL possible! Esto Perpetua, may ICL be forever,
Jonathan