Idaho Legislature Wraps 2025 Session

Last week, lawmakers in Boise adjourned the first regular session of the 68th Idaho Legislature.  Dex Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said the agriculture community fared well over the past 2 ½ months.

“House Bill 104, which creates a single definition for agricultural buildings across all local jurisdictions," Lake said.  "House Bill 148, that creates a mechanism for Idaho citizens who are being sued by the federal government over grazing or water rights to petition the Idaho Constitutional Defense Council for assistance in defending the lawsuit.  House Bill 445 which allocates $30 million in ongoing funding for critical water infrastructure projects across Idaho.  Senate Bill 1012, which creates an appeals process for producers who don't believe their livestock depredation was created accurately.”

Lake noted other successes for the farming community include Senate Bill 1013 which allows producers to recover attorney’s fees if they win a nuisance lawsuit.  That legislation also sets fines and penalties for filing repeated “baseless complaints”.  And Senate Bill 1083 modifies state law relating to domestic water use.

But, Lake pointed out there were some challenges during the 2025 session.

“For instance, a bill relating to fences and to finding who is responsible for the shared fence between federal land and private property got held in the House," Lake said.  "Another bill relating to temporary rules was held in the Senate because they could not concur with the House amendments made in the 11th hour of the session.” 

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