Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0511 – Forest Land Wildfire Surcharge Increase
Bill Summary
House Bill 511 amends Section 38-111 of Idaho Code to increase the maximum surcharge that may be levied on improved lots or parcels of forest land from $40 to $100 for wildfire preparedness costs. The bill reorganizes the existing statute by adding subsection numbers (1) through (6) to improve clarity and makes minor grammatical corrections, changing ‘which’ to ‘that’ and ‘upon’ to ‘on’ for consistency with modern usage.
The bill maintains all existing provisions regarding forest land protection requirements, assessment procedures, the wildfire equipment replacement fund, and protections against additional charges for participating landowners. The substantive policy change is limited to the increased surcharge cap, which allows the state board of land commissioners greater flexibility in funding wildfire preparedness activities. The bill is declared an emergency measure and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill receives a total score of -1, reflecting a minor misalignment with fiscal responsibility principles. The legislation increases the maximum surcharge on improved forest land parcels from $40 to $100, representing a 150% increase in the potential assessment on private property owners. While the bill addresses the legitimate governmental function of wildfire preparedness, the substantial fee increase runs counter to principles of limiting government fees and assessments. The remaining provisions are either technical reorganizations of existing law or have no connection to the evaluated policy metrics.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill increases the maximum surcharge from 'forty dollars ($40.00)' to 'one hundred dollars ($100)' on improved lots or parcels (lines 31-32). This 150% increase in the potential fee assessment on private property owners conflicts with principles of limiting government fees and assessments, representing an expansion of government revenue collection authority.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection assessments and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions in the bill relate to elections, voting procedures, citizen participation in government, or civic engagement.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill concerns forest land protection and wildfire preparedness funding mechanisms. No provisions address education, schools, curriculum, teachers, parental rights in education, or any educational matters.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
While forest lands may have some overlap with agricultural interests, the bill specifically addresses wildfire preparedness surcharges on improved lots or parcels rather than agricultural operations, markets, or farming practices. No provisions relate to agricultural education, water rights for agriculture, or family farms.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness funding. No provisions relate to water rights, water appropriation, inter-basin transfers, reservoir management, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
While the bill relates to forest lands and wildfire preparedness, the substantive change only increases a fee cap without altering environmental policy, land use regulations, or resource management practices. The existing wildfire equipment replacement fund (subsection 3) and protection requirements remain unchanged.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection assessments and wildfire preparedness. No provisions relate to energy independence, energy resources, oil and gas development, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, or energy policy.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness. No provisions relate to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, energy research, or technology development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
While the bill increases a maximum surcharge on improved lots or parcels, it does not address regulatory takings, eminent domain, or constitutional protections under the Fifth Amendment. The fee increase, though financially impactful, does not constitute a deprivation of property rights as defined by the metric's focus on takings and compensation.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill addresses private forest lands and their protection assessments. No provisions concern federal land ownership, state management of federal lands, or the transfer of federal lands to state control.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to fish and game management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or wildlife policy.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill increases a maximum surcharge from $40 to $100 for wildfire preparedness, affecting property owners' costs, the metric focuses on broader economic policies such as balanced budgets, competitive business environments, and regulatory reduction. The fee increase is specific to forest land protection and does not directly address the economic growth and regulatory principles outlined in the metric.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to healthcare, health insurance, medical decisions, health savings accounts, or welfare programs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to family values, marriage, abortion, children's welfare, or parental rights.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to older Americans, retirement, senior services, or policies affecting seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to criminal justice, gun rights, drug policy, incarceration, law enforcement, or judicial matters.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to national defense, military affairs, veterans, border security, or terrorism.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to judicial elections, judges, constitutional interpretation, or the judiciary.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill addresses forest land protection and wildfire preparedness surcharges. No provisions relate to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or religious accommodation.