Committee advances bill to create depredation appeals board for livestock losses

Senate Resources & Environment Committee advanced Senate Bill 1012 on a voice vote after proponents said the measure would give livestock producers a second review when federal or state investigators decline to confirm predator kills.

Supporters said the appeals board would let ranchers seek state reimbursements and — because recent federal grant guidance allows state-authorized investigators — access federal funds when state review confirms a kill. "For the longest time, only wildlife services could confirm the — could be the investigative authority for us to be able to access that funding," said Dexton Lake, who testified for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. "We feel like with this board, we can access federal funding."

The bill would establish a three-member appeal board composed of experts (testimony named a…