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House Resources & Conservation Committee approves three Idaho Fish and Game rule dockets
Summary
On Jan. 27, 2026, the House Resources & Conservation Committee approved three pending rule dockets from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game after presentations and brief testimony; motions carried by voice votes and chairs noted statutory-compliance questions were addressed.
The House Resources & Conservation Committee met Jan. 27, 2026, in Room EW40 and approved three pending rule dockets submitted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). Committee members voted on each docket by voice vote after agency presentations and short periods of member and public comment.
Amber Worthington, IDFG deputy director, presented the agency’s proposed changes for Docket No. 13-0103-2501, Docket No. 13-0116-2401 and Docket No. 13-0119-2501 and answered committee questions. Lauren Smyser, Legislative Affairs Bureau Chief with the Department of Financial Management, was invited to advise the committee about editorial options for the proposed rules. Vice Chairman Shepherd requested unanimous consent to drop concerns about IDFG wording matching state statutes; the request was granted.
On Docket No. 13-0103-2501, IDFG’s presentation included discussion of how the agency applies existing open-range grazing statutes in the course of wildlife management. Trisha Heddon, IDFG assistant wildlife bureau chief, told the committee the agency complies with open-range grazing statutes but that there are occasions where wildlife-management objectives and open-range grazing do not align and limited restrictions may be necessary. After discussion, Rep. Raybould moved to approve Docket No. 13-0103-2501 and the motion carried by voice vote.
Docket No. 13-0116-2401 drew neutral testimony from Erik Weiseth of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, which stated it neither supported nor opposed the changes, and mixed testimony from Jeff Abrams of the Idaho Conservation League. Abrams said the conservation group supports language in the docket addressing incidental trapping but expressed concerns about some wording related to endangered species. Committee members did not record additional amendments on the floor; Rep. Raybould moved approval and the motion carried by voice vote.
IDFG also presented Docket No. 13-0119-2501; following the agency’s presentation Rep. Petzke moved to approve the docket and the motion carried by voice vote.
All three motions passed by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the minutes. The committee adjourned at 2:12 p.m. The sign-in sheet for the meeting will be retained in the committee secretary’s office and filed with the minutes in the Legislative Library.
Votes at a glance: • Docket No. 13-0103-2501 — Motion to approve made by Rep. Raybould; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Docket No. 13-0116-2401 — Motion to approve made by Rep. Raybould; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Docket No. 13-0119-2501 — Motion to approve made by Rep. Petzke; outcome: approved by voice vote.
Next steps: The minutes and sign-in sheet will be filed with the legislative record; the approved rule dockets will proceed according to the administrative process for agency rulemaking.
