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Senate committee approves broad rewrite of IDFG licensing and tag rules
Summary
The Senate Resources & Environment Committee approved Docket No. 13-0104-2401, a rewrite of Idaho Department of Fish and Game licensing rules that adds a non-resident draw framework, tightens landowner-hunt eligibility (including a 79-acre threshold), and consolidates tag and refund language for clarity.
Amber Worthington, Deputy Director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, told the Senate Resources & Environment Committee that Docket No. 13-0104-2401 reorganizes and clarifies rules governing licenses, tags, permit eligibility, sales and use. She said the rewrite incorporated recommendations from a 2024 advisory group on non-resident tag issuance and was done to comply with the Governor's Zero-Based Regulation Executive Order.
Worthington outlined several notable changes, including creation of an application-required non-resident draw framework (replacing a first-come, first-served sale), new definitions for capped and controlled hunts, and consolidation of refund language. "The recommendations of the advisory group were integrated into this Docket," Worthington said, noting other edits were intended to "clean up, clarify, or simplify existing language." The rewrite also adds trapping to the lifetime license certificate option and clarifies optometrist certification for visual disability permits.
Lawmakers discussed specific numeric thresholds in the rewrite. Senator Okuniewicz questioned the inclusion of "at least 79 acres of land" for certain landowner permission turkey hunts; Worthington explained that the figure corresponds to a quarter of a quarter section. The rules also raise the resident-controlled hunt minimum threshold from 10 to 19 before a non-resident tag becomes available and move substantial portions of 13.01.08 into the new chapter to streamline public references.
Senator Harris moved to approve Docket No. 13-0104-2401, and Senator Guthrie seconded; the motion "carried by voice vote." The committee recorded the approval and the related materials will be retained with the committee minutes.
