Capitol Reflections 2016 Legislative Session In this issue “Since I was privileged to be named as the Chief, I have spoken many times about the “analysis paralysis” that grips the Forest Service. Farm Bureau Bills, pg. 1& 2 When I use that expression, I mean the difficult, costly, confusing and seemingly endless processes that Catastrophic Public Nuisance, pg. 1 have been put in place in order for agency line officers to comply with the laws enacted by Congress and Aquifer Recharge, pg. 2 the implementing regulations put in place by the Forest Service and other agencies. Those processes Port of Lewiston, pg. 2 involve many people, result in many studies and analyses and involve many administrative appeals and Fire Suppression, pg. 2 much litigation. Too frequently, however, these processes combine to keep on-the-ground work from No Additional Federal Lands, pg. 3 ever actually being accomplished, even very small projects or projects of great environmental merit. The Mulitple-Use Lands, pg. 3 inability to complete projects can have a detrimental effect on the land. We have too little to show for our efforts except for completion of the processes. Too little value returns to the public, or the resources that we are charged with protecting and managing.” Dale Bosworth, 15th Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, (2001 – 2007), House Resources Committee, US Congress – December 4, 2001 Catastrophic Farm Bureau Bills Headed to Governor Public Nuisance A number of bills either sponsored or eas, the Director of Agriculture would have supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau have no power to regulate the type of research, S1338 passed the House Floor on reached a successful end to the legislative plants or plant material under the 2105 law. Friday and will now be sent to the process and have been transmitted to Gov- Farm Bureau drafted the language for governor for his signature. The bill ernor Otter’s office. H469. The bill’s House sponsors were provides a mechanism for county H469 added the definition of “private Rep. Tom Dayley (R-Boise) and Rep. Mat governments to declare a catastrophic research facility” to S1073, a 2015 aquat- Erpelding (D-Boise). Sen. Shawn Keough public nuisance on federally managed ic noxious weed research bill which allowed (R-Sandpoint) sponsored the bill in the lands and request abatement by federal the Director of Agriculture to regulate the Senate. IFBF policy no. 78- State and Coun- agencies. Such actions will encourage transportation and use of aquatic noxious ty Noxious Weed Control provides policy federal agencies to work with county weed plant material in the State of Idaho. support for this bill. IFBF supports H469 governments and coordinate efforts to A definition of “private research facility” as well as Food Producers of Idaho. protect both the land and the safety/ was left out of the 2015 legislation. In this H531 is a Farm Bureau bill that creates welfare of the public. The voting for day of huge personal wealth, private islands fines and penalties for anyone spreading or S1338 was 56 yes, 13 no, 1 absent. and self-funded Presidential campaigns, it attempting to spread a disease or poison Idaho Farm Bureau Policy #59 was prudent to include this definition. on a farm, ranch or processing facility. supports county coordination with It is not beyond imagination that a su- House sponsor was retiring Rep. Gayle Batt federal agencies to promote better per-wealthy individual could establish a to- (R-Wilder). Senate sponsor was Senate management of the public lands. IFBF tally private funded university or laboratory Agricultural Affairs Committee chairman, supports S1338 and conduct any type research. If aquatic Sen. Jim Rice (R-Caldwell). noxious weeds were among the research ar- continued page 2 Idaho Farm Bureau’s Governmental Affairs Report Issue 10 P.O. Box 167, Boise, ID 83701 www.idahofb.org (208) 342-2688 March 18, 2016 Page two FB Bills Aquifer Recharge Port of Lewiston continued from page 1 Several years ago legislation was passed Bills Pass On Wednesday, the Secretary and which provided aquaculture operations Treasurer of the Port of Lewiston protection from certain criminal acts or Legislature Commission, Mary Hasenoehrl reported attempted acts. H531 was written to to the Food Producers of Idaho on the provide similar protection for agriculture Both SCR136 and SCR137 passed Port of Lewiston and some current facilities and operations. Right to Farm the House Floor on Thursday and will issues that are being faced. As Idaho’s Act definitions for ag facilities and now be sent to the governor for his only seaport, the Port of Lewiston is a operations were used in the bill to provide signature. These concurrent resolutions large economic engine for the region, consistency with other Idaho law. recognize the established Eastern Snake providing more than 1800 direct jobs Processors were included in the Right Plain Aquifer managed recharge goals and also millions of dollars of economic to Farm Act a number of years ago and requests that the Idaho Water investment. Approximately sixty percent when a now-defunct Nampa computer Resource Board identify and implement of the wheat produced in Idaho, as manufacturer complained about the aquifer stabilization and enhancement well as many other agriculture goods odor from the nearby Amalgamated projects throughout the state. The and crops are shipped out of state Sugar Company plant. Maximum voting for SCR136 was 69 yes, 0 no, 1 via the Port of Lewiston. For many fines and penalties are established by absent, and SCR137 was 68 yes, 1 not, industries, the port’s role/position is the legislation and are the same that 1 absent. Idaho Farm Bureau Policy #34 critical and essential for the state’s appear in other code sections. Normal supports the beneficial use of managed continued economic development. agriculture practices which could be basin-wide aquifer recharge with the Recently, however, there is a local effort construed as behavior prohibited by state involved in both financial support that is pushing to eliminate the Port H531 are permissible with the knowledge and implementation. IFBF supports of Lewiston. Activists are preparing a and consent of the owner; chemical SCR136 and SCR137 petition to place the issue on the Nez application, live virus vaccinations, etc. Perce County ballot. In response to such The bill does not preclude civil action efforts and activist groups, a non-profit by injured parties, allows restitution and association – Snake River Multi-Use provides consumer protection. H531 is Questions? Advocates – was created for the purpose consistent with Idaho Farm Bureau policy of promoting and supporting the multi- #19 Bioterrorism. IFBF supports H531 Email staff at use benefits of dams and public ports as well as Northwest Food Processors [email protected] on the Snake/Columbia River System Association, Food Producers of Idaho and through public education efforts. Ms. IACI (Idaho Association of Commerce Hasenoehrl states that she believes that and Industry). these education efforts are important to Senate Transportation Chairman, Sen. Fire Suppression inform not only Nez Perce County but Bert Brackett (R-Rogerson) sponsored also the entire state and region. S1229, the final piece of legislation Deficiency Fund needed to allow 129,000-pound trucks on Idaho’s federal highways. The bill FY 2017 How to Contact Legislators is the culmination of 20 years’ effort Website The Joint Finance & by a number of interests to allow Appropriations Committee approved www.legislature.idaho.gov 129,000-pound trucks on designated Legislative Information Center $34.5 million to the FY 2017 Fire Idaho roads and includes I-15, I-84, I-90 208-332-1000 Suppression Deficiency Fund. Last Toll Free & TDD and I-184 as designated Idaho routes. year, the state paid more than $60 Late in 2015, Congressman Mike 800-626-0471 million in fire suppression costs. Fax Simpson (R-Idaho) put language in the Currently, the deficiency fund has a 208-334-5397 omnibus spending bill which allowed negative $13 million balance. The E-mail for the 129,000-pound trucks on Idaho’s average fire suppression costs for the [email protected] interstate highway system. Chairman last three years is $34.5 million; this Regular Mail Brackett’s bill designates and codifies appropriation will help prepare the P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID those highways for use by heavy trucks. state to cover those expenses in the 83720-0038 (House) This legislation conforms to IFBF policy coming year. Co-Chair Representative 93720-0081 (Senate) Street Address #192 Transportation. The bill is now law. Maxine Bell (R-Jerome) said essentially State Capitol, 700 W. Jefferson, IFBF supports S1229 as well as Food that the state was investing in fire Boise, ID 83720 Producers of Idaho and others. insurance with this appropriation. Page three No Additional Federal Lands This week H586, sponsored by Rep softening by several members. They started sold to the federal government, the state’s Judy Boyle (R-Midvale) was heard in the voicing concerns that the bill was infringing jurisdiction and sovereignty are diminished. House Resources Committee Chaired by on property rights. Several stated they It was included as a protection against the Rep Dell Raybould (R-Rexburg). H586 wanted the right to sell their land to the federal government growing larger and does one thing. It follows the procedure federal government if they wanted to against state governments growing smaller included in the United States Constitution without state consent. The backtracking without their consent. H586 would not bar requiring the state legislature to provide had begun. land exchanges. Legislative consent would consent before the federal government can Idaho Farm Bureau has arguably been only be required if the federal government acquire additional land within that state.