Committee advances bill letting constitutional defense council consider state help for citizens in federal grazing and water cases

House Bill 148, which would authorize Idaho’s constitutional defense council to consider requests from citizens involved in federal lawsuits concerning grazing and water rights, was advanced out of the Resource and Conservation Committee to the full House with a due-pass recommendation following testimony and extended questioning.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Bruce, told the committee: “This bill specifies the criteria, the procedures for the constitutional defense council to consider such request and provide details on types of assistance offered.” He said the measure is meant to create a predictable process so Idahoans who face federal suits affecting grazing or water rights can petition the council for state assistance going forward.

Supporters including Russ Hendricks of the Idaho Farm Bureau and a representative of an Idaho agricultural association urged the committee to approve the measure. Hendricks said the bill “is the intent of this bill is to go from this point forward, not to reach back into the…