Committee adopts temporary rule to implement wolf and grizzly depredation compensation

The committee approved a temporary rule to implement a compensation framework for livestock losses from wolves and grizzly bears, following 2024 legislative direction (docket 210820401). Lloyd Knight told the committee the temporary rule was developed in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation (OSC) to allow payment on claims and to provide an initial procedural framework while the agencies plan a negotiated rule‑making process next year.

The rule establishes basic definitions, submission procedures and payment parameters. Knight said some claims had been submitted prior to the OSC deadline of Dec. 31 and the department and OSC will assemble a table of eligible claims for processing. The rule allows up to 70% compensation of market‑rate veterinary care in subsection C(2), which department representatives said follows OSC’s commonly used reimbursement practices. Committee members asked about investigation response times; Knight said agencies typically aim to investigate within 24–72 hours but response speed can vary with workload and remoteness. The department is exploring ways to standardize investigation capacity, including cooperation with local agencies and sheriffs’ offices under shared standards.

Representative Andrus moved approval; the committee approved the temporary rule by voice vote.

Ending: Officials said the temporary rule enables immediate claim processing and that a more comprehensive negotiated rule‑making process will follow to develop permanent procedures and standards.