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Senate advances bill to require local agricultural representation on district wildlife-feeding committees
Summary
The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1011 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The bill would require at least one agricultural producer on district wildlife feeding committees and require committee members to reside in the Fish and Game district they serve.
Senator Mark Harris, R-35, presented Senate Bill 1011 to the Senate Resources & Environment Committee. Harris said the bill responds to concerns raised at a November 2023 multi‑county meeting in Montpelier about elk damage to fences, hay and livestock and about safety risks on roads and bridges.
"Currently, there is no requirement for agriculture representation on these committees," Harris said, and the bill would require "at least one member of the board be an agriculture producer and that all members must reside in the district." He said requiring district residency ensures local perspectives and that agriculture is a major interested group that had been left out.
Several producers and stakeholders testified in favor. Dexter Lake, representing the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, told the committee the group supports SB 1011 and described producers— increasing concern about disease, depredation and forage damage. Azden Barchi of Bear Lake County said producers there face severe winter conditions and financial variability that make local representation important.
After testimony the committee considered a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senator O'Connell moved and Senator Guthrie seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The transcript records the committee—s action to advance SB 1011; a full Senate vote would follow at a later date.
