It’s non-stop action at the Idaho Capitol, with wall-to-wall meetings, bills stacking up on the House and Senate floors, and legislators, lobbyists, and agency staff running a mile-a-minute.
They even had a Friday afternoon committee hearing last week!
It’s not yet clear whether we’ve reached the legislative session’s summit yet, but one thing you can be sure of…ICL is there everyday trying to keep an eye on everything that has an impact on the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the lands and wildlife you love.
Just to give you a sense of how busy the marbled halls are, last week we saw measures introduced on Pesticide and Chemical Corporate Immunity (we’ve been expecting this one, Take Action today!), Energy Utility Wildfire Mitigation, Wildlife Relocation Detainment (will the #IdLeg ground parachuting beavers?! Take action!), Renewable Energy, Lobbying and Campaign Finance Rules…and that was all on Friday morning before 9:30 a.m!
Other topics that we’re watching include a bill seeking to increase State Public Lands (it passed the House!), another that tries to help address Idaho’s mounting piles of waste tires, another that’s addressing mounting piles at Idaho’s 9,000 (!!) abandoned mines, several that interfere with the Idaho Fish & Game Commission’s authority, and many more.
We’re monitoring and engaging on dozens of measures. Check ‘em out on our handy dandy bill tracker! We’re updating it by the minute.
Last week, we testified on bills in both the House & Senate, including one that would have Idaho taxpayers paying the private legal bills for two ranchers in Owyhee County. I’m not sure about you, but ICL feels like it sets a pretty dangerous precedent for the state to be paying private legal costs? Especially since the (prior) Idaho Attorney General made it pretty clear that it would be unconstitutional. Despite ICL’s solitary voice of opposition, it passed overwhelmingly out of the House Resources Committee. Even more inexplicably, it passed with broad bipartisan support (63-5) in the House. Apparently the state has lots of extra money lying around. Who knew?
So if your head is spinning from all the action, know you’re not alone! The good news is that ICL has tools for YOU to take action! Read on for a full report on all that’s happening unda da’ rotunda, how you can plug in, and much, much more…
Pesticide Immunity Bill finally surfaces
We’ve been expecting a Pesticide Immunity Bill for 10 months. After three versions of the bill failed last year, we knew that multinational chemical companies Bayer and ChemChina were itchin’ to return, seeking to prevent litigation if their products harm farm workers, landscapers, farmers, or other consumers. Last Friday morning, after a last minute early morning agenda addition, House Bill 303 was finally introduced.
Over the last decade, Bayer has paid billions in settlements and penalties after some juries found their commonly-used pesticide (RoundUp) contributed to cancer and other ailments. ChemChina, which owns Syngenta, has also paid billions in response to thousands of claims that their product, Paraquat, led to an increase in Parkinson’s Disease and other damages. The thing is, legal immunity for large multinational corporations doesn’t appear very popular in Idaho—or anywhere else for that matter (see Idaho polling results).
Especially with the Pentagon’s inclusion of ChemChina on the list of companies owned by the People’s Liberation Army, it makes us think this may be a bridge too far, even for the Idaho Legislature. The kicker: over 70 countries prohibit the use of highly toxic Paraquat, over its threats to public health. And in case you were curious, that includes China!
If you agree that the Idaho Legislature should not be limiting the ability of Idahoans to access the courts and should protect Idaho’s public health, ask your legislator to reject House Bill 303!
Public “Land Bank” bill clears House
Last week we reported on a bill that’s trying to give the Idaho Land Board a little more time to acquire new public state-owned endowment lands with the proceeds from cabin site sales around Priest and Payette Lakes. The bill ran into some last minute opposition from the Idaho Farm Bureau last week, but thankfully enjoys broad support from timber companies, wildlife enthusiasts, outfitters, and most House members. It passed on a 47-21 vote, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Big thanks to bill sponsors Reps. John Vander Woude (R-Nampa) and Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) who led a passionate charge on the House Floor and helped pave the way for more public lands in Idaho, not less. That’s good news for school children, rural communities, wildlife, wildfire prevention, public land lovers, and all future generations of Idahoans.
DOGE turbulence continues to roil federal workforce far from DC
ICL is continuing to receive reports from federal resource management agencies, retirees, and the recently unemployed about Elon Musk’s and DOGE’s recent terminations that have impacted many employees and communities across Idaho, and the nation.
ICL’s Executive Director shared his take on the situation in an op-ed that ran in the Idaho Capital Sun, Idaho Press, and elsewhere. Others are speaking out as well, like Grace Peven whose husband lost his job in North Idaho. He was fired from his job with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, helping rural farmers in Idaho. Is that what they mean by the Deep State?
Real Idahoans are having their lives upended as a result of these seemingly rash decisions, and many Idahoans are sharing real concerns about the ability of the federal government to provide key services for our public lands and resources, not to mention all the other things that federal employees do everyday.
If you’re concerned that campgrounds, dumpsters, and outhouses will be overflowing, that water quality won’t be protected, and that wildfire suppression & prevention efforts will suffer, Contact the Idaho Delegation and Governor Today!
Cynthia’s Corner 
We tend to talk about the legislative session as a bell curve. It starts slowly and congenially. As it gains speed at the top of the apex, it can get a bit contentious. Bills are debated, new versions replace unworkable ones, and we begin to get a picture of where legislators stand. We are probably nearing the tip of the bell curve as we enter week eight, which hopefully means all the existing bills will get worked through the system and fewer will be introduced, although both Jonathan and I have been here before and can’t assume anything. The number of bills (484 and counting, more than ever…) demonstrates how active this session has been. Typically, the most contentious topics appear in the second half of the session—so now is not the time to relax.
Jonathan and I remain vigilant on bills important to you. We’re currently tracking over two dozen bills and continue to review each bill to be sure we haven’t missed anything that impacts our air, water, lands, and wildlife. But we can’t do it ourselves. We need YOU to engage and speak up to your legislators. We have a handful of ways for you to Take Action today!
Tie of the week! 
Magic happens, when legislators and other leaders are willing to stick their necks out and take risks.
America loves the Underdog. They love unlikely alliances. And they love a maverick. While we certainly have our fair share of challenges at the moment, even in the darkest hour, there are glimmers of hope. It’s important to see them.
This week’s tie is dedicated to leaders who are willing to stick their necks out, take risks, and find meaningful solutions for Idaho, for the nation, and for the world. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who are willing to be curious and creative, to reach across the political aisle, and to find real solutions to the real problems that the world faces.
It seems like the political chasm in the USA is deeper than ever, but we can still come together. We must. Whether it’s finding common ground on pesticides, or literally, our common ground (Public Lands), there is cause for hope. Keep the flame burning, and keep sticking out your neck.
Until next week…Esto Perpetua,
Jonathan