Ways and Means committee approves minutes, introduces four RS bills on hunting, agriculture, emergency vehicles and specialty plate

The Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Chairman Ehlers, approved the minutes from its Feb. 13 meeting and voted to introduce four request statutes (RS) during its session.

The introduced RS bills cover (1) a 10% cap on nonresident participation in state hunts and deregulation of outfitter tag allocation (RS32394), (2) clarifications to Agricultural Protection Area (APA) ordinances and creation of a voluntary fund with an emergency effective date (RS32390), (3) an added definition to recognize certain wildland firefighters as emergency vehicles (RS32402), and (4) a specialty license plate called “Appeal to Heaven” with proceeds directed to the highway distribution account (RS32383). Each motion to introduce passed by voice vote.

RS32394: hunter caps, outfitter allocation, opt-in marketing Representative James Petzke, who represents District 21 in Meridian, presented RS32394. "This RS does 3 things. First, it seeks to reduce nonresident hunter crowding issues. It puts a 10% cap on each hunt in the state for nonresident participation," Petzke said. He told the committee the 10% mark has been established through case law as a minimum and that the majority of Fish and Game revenue is derived from nonresident tag sales. Petzke said the RS would phase in changes over several years to remain fiscally neutral; it also would repeal sections of code that allocate deer and elk tags to outfitters, and would add an opt-in mechanism allowing hunters to receive marketing from outfitters if they choose.

Representative Sharp moved to introduce RS32394; the motion carried on a voice vote. The transcript records presentation and introduction only; no committee amendment or roll-call tally was recorded.

RS32390: APA ordinance consistency, voluntary fund, emergency clause Representative Gerald Raymond presented RS32390 as a substitute for the original sponsor, Representative Andress. Raymond said the amendment clarifies existing statute to make Agricultural Protection Area ordinances more consistent across counties and to guide local governments during public hearings. "It does state that the landowner is kind of in the driver's seat. They have control over whether or not their land stays in the APA," Raymond said.

Raymond also said the bill "sets up a fund that monies can be directed to..." and that the fund needs to be established by Jan. 1, 2026; therefore the bill contains an emergency clause so it would take effect immediately if passed and approved. Representative Achilles moved to introduce RS32390; the motion carried by voice vote.

RS32402: definition for emergency-type wildland firefighters Representative Shepherd introduced RS32402, saying the bill adds a definition to the statutory meaning of "vehicle" so that certain emergency wildland firefighters called to urban fires are recognized as emergency vehicles. "This is needed so there's no confusion when these emergency type wildland firefighters come onto a urban fire that they are recognized as emergency vehicles and they will they are allowed to proceed in and put the fire out," Shepherd said, citing an incident near Boise that prompted the clarification. Representative Crane moved to introduce RS32402; the motion carried on a voice vote.

RS32383: "Appeal to Heaven" specialty plate; revenues to highway fund Committee discussion included a brief presentation describing a new specialty license plate named "Appeal to Heaven," referencing a historic Revolutionary War flag. The transcript indicates the sponsor or presenter said proceeds from the plate would flow to the highway distribution account and "shouldn't be any cost; should actually have positive on the roads." Representative Tanner moved to introduce RS32383; the motion carried by voice vote.

Other business and adjournment The committee approved the minutes from Feb. 13 by voice vote at the start of the meeting. Members also recognized the committee page Elena Russell and presented a gift; the chair announced the committee will meet next week and adjourned "subject to the call of the chair." No final committee votes on the substance of any introduced RS were recorded in the transcript; each motion recorded was to introduce the RS for further consideration.