Senate committee moves RS31802 to be scheduled after Brand Board seeks fee-cap and fund changes

The Idaho Brand Board presented draft legislation RS31802 to the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee, and the committee voted to schedule the proposal for formal consideration.

Cody Burlisle, director of the Idaho Brand Board and the state brand inspector, told the committee the proposal is “a product of years of assessment, negotiation, and teamwork among industry stakeholders” and that it would amend sections of Title 25 and Title 33 of Idaho Code to address the board’s fiscal outlook. Burlisle said the board developed a stakeholder working group that met about 20 times over 18 months to produce the proposed changes.

Burlisle said the bill would adjust statutory fee caps for services the Brand Board provides and would “allow the Brand Board the ability to retain interest accrued on the State Brand Board's dedicated fund.” He gave an estimated fiscal effect of a $40,000 negative impact to the state general fund and an estimated $300,000 positive impact to the Brand Board’s dedicated funding, noting additional changes would depend on the timing of service-fee adjustments.

Burlisle listed industry supporters of the proposal, including the Idaho Cattle Association, Idaho Dairy Association, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and Idaho Livestock Auction Association.

After the presentation, the committee took a motion to schedule RS31802 for further consideration. The motion was made by Senator Blaylock and seconded by Senator Semleroth; the committee chair called for a voice vote and indicated the motion was agreed to and the item would be scheduled.

The committee did not take final action on RS31802 at this meeting; scheduling places the draft before the committee for a future hearing and possible amendment or recommendation.

Minutes approval: The committee also approved minutes from Jan. 14, 2025, by motion and voice vote earlier in the meeting.