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Property-rights bill advances for amendment after testimony from landowners and enforcement officials
Summary
Senate State Affairs heard S 1326 on Feb. 27, 2026. Proponents, including the Idaho Farm Bureau, urged stronger protections against government entry to private land; Idaho Fish and Game and county groups warned it could impede enforcement. The committee sent the bill to the 14th Order for possible amendment.
Senators heard hours of testimony on S 1326, a private-property bill introduced by Senator Harris aiming to limit government entry onto private land without permission or a warrant.
Senator Harris framed the bill as protection for Idaho property owners who, he said, have experienced government employees entering private property without proper authority. He yielded time to Russ Hendricks of the Idaho Farm Bureau, who explained the bill would require coordination with county sheriffs, allow limited entry to contact owners, and create civil-liability language for government entities.
Multiple citizens testified in favor, citing stolen property and unwanted intrusions. Those in support included Trent Clark (Soda Springs), Scott Perrin (Cottonwood), Shaun Blaser (Rexburg), Ryan Orme (Ashton), Jared Morrison (Ashton), Kyle Jarnagan (Athol), Doug Barrie (Idaho Farm Bureau Federation) and Darcy Lammers (Bonners Ferry).
Representatives of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Idaho Association of Counties and Trout Unlimited opposed the bill. Ellary Tucker Williams of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said current relationships and compliance checks would be hampered and asked how conservation officers would carry out routine enforcement. "He stopped them, discovered they did not have fishing licenses, and was able to cite and charge them with trespassing," she said in recounting an enforcement encounter to explain why officers sometimes enter private land during investigations.
Senators raised specific concerns. Senator Ruchti asked whether immediate enactment would leave law enforcement without time for training; Hendricks said no training concerns had been reported to supporters. Senator Shippy asked for examples of exigent circumstances; Hendricks said emergencies such as risk to life or pursuit of a suspect would be excusable under the bill as presented. Senator Den Hartog pressed on drone surveillance and whether visibility from a public vantage point would be included; Hendricks said he was uncertain on that point.
After debate, Senator Shippy moved to send S 1326 to the 14th Order of Business for possible amendment; the motion carried by voice vote.
Next steps: the bill was referred to the 14th Order for potential amendment and further committee consideration.
