HB 468: Rangeland improvement districts — 2024

Summary: HB 468 would establish a fund designed to restore and manage public and private rangelands in Idaho.

ICL's position: Support

Current Bill Status: Law

Issue Areas: Grazing, Idaho Department of Lands, National Forests, Private Lands, Public Lands, Water Quality, Wildlife

Official Legislative Site

Rep. Jerald Raymond (R-Menan) introduced HB 468 to establish a fund and a program for landowners to enroll their lands and grazing allotments in Rangeland Improvement Districts.

While the proposal does not include any funding, future appropriations could provide funds to carry out rangeland protection and restoration efforts to improve water quality, soil, control invasive species, and address other resource conditions.

ICL is concerned that the bill includes “predator control” as one of the activities that could be funded, because there are already funds set aside for the Wolf Depredation Control Board, and other federal and state programs.

Still, we support the bill and feel that it would provide a useful tool for ranchers and land managers to improve the health of their lands.