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 representative from the Idaho Department of Agriculture, a Fish and Game member and a veterinarian appointed by the governor), let producers submit documentary evidence instead of requiring on-site re-examination, and permit the board to meet in a closed session to protect producers’ locations when necessary. Committee testimony described the panel’s reviews as paper-based in most cases because carcasses often are gone by the time an appeal is filed.

Why it matters: Producers said confirmed findings drive payments and management tools. Proponents said producers can lose both compensation and management responses when Wildlife Services declines to confirm a kill. Phil Davis, a rancher from Cascade who testified, urged the change: "I absolutely support because we need another set of eyes on these because Wildlife Services is not being objective on their investigations."

Key details from testimony - Funding: Witnesses said the state set aside $225,000 last year (House Bill 592): $150,000 for depredation reimbursements and $75,000 for prevention work. Dexton Lake testified about federal funding cycles and said recent federal allotments have varied; he described a recent federal funding cycle as low ($25,000) compared with other cycles. - Payment threshold: The bill would allow payments on claims categorized as "confirmed," "probable," and — when funds remain — "possible," with payments prorated by available funds and claim counts. - Board process: Appeals would be document-driven; hearings could be virtual; identifying information of appellants could be protected, though the amounts disbursed would remain public.

Concerns and committee discussion Committee members asked whether the appeal board would interfere with federal jurisdiction and whether state payments would duplicate federal reimbursements. Senator Burton Shaw and witnesses explained that federal funding typically follows a Wildlife Services confirmation but that grant language now allows state-authorized investigators in some cases. Senator Taylor flagged transparency and cost concerns, saying his "biggest concern" was "the spending of public dollars and the fact that the appeals would be done behind closed doors." Committee supporters said the closed meeting provision protects producer privacy, not payment transparency.

Next steps A motion to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation carried on a voice vote. The transcript did not record a roll-call tally in the committee record.