Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1238 – Fish & Game Public Comment Period Requirement
Bill Summary
This bill amends Section 36-105 of Idaho Code to establish a mandatory 30-day public comment period before the Idaho Fish and Game Commission can adopt, repeal, or amend proclamations setting seasons or limits on fish and wildlife. The requirement applies to all season-setting proclamations for game animals, game birds, furbearers, migratory birds, salmon, steelhead, and resident fish, with an exemption for emergency proclamations. The bill also makes minor technical corrections, including replacing “which” with “that,” changing “shall be” to “is,” and renumbering subsections to accommodate the new public comment provision.
The legislation maintains existing requirements for notice publication in the Idaho Administrative Bulletin, notification to the Legislative Services Office, and distribution of proclamations to the public. By adding the 30-day comment period, the bill enhances transparency and public participation in wildlife management decisions while preserving the Commission’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies. The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill receives a total score of +1, reflecting a modest positive alignment with the evaluation framework. The legislation’s primary impact is enhancing citizen involvement in government by requiring a 30-day public comment period for Fish and Game Commission season-setting proclamations. While the bill addresses wildlife management procedures, the changes are primarily procedural rather than substantive policy modifications. The bill does not significantly impact other policy areas evaluated in the metrics, resulting in neutral ratings across most categories.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill adds procedural requirements for Fish and Game Commission proclamations but does not address fiscal responsibility, taxation, balanced budgets, or government spending. The 30-day public comment period requirement is a process change that does not impact the core principles of responsible government outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (1)
The bill directly enhances citizen participation by adding subsection (b): "A minimum of a thirty (30) day public comment period is provided when adopting, repealing, or amending any season-setting proclamation." This requirement provides meaningful opportunity for public input on Fish and Game Commission decisions, aligning with the metric's emphasis on citizen involvement in governmental processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill addresses Fish and Game Commission procedures for setting wildlife seasons and limits. It contains no provisions related to education policy, school funding, parental rights in education, curriculum standards, or any other educational matters defined in this metric.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill focuses exclusively on wildlife management proclamation procedures. It does not address agricultural operations, farming, ranching, agricultural markets, or any other agricultural policies outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
While the bill addresses fish management, it does not address water rights, water appropriation, inter-basin transfers, or water resource management. The changes are procedural requirements for season-setting proclamations and do not impact water policy principles defined in this metric.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
Although the bill relates to wildlife management, it does not address broader environmental policies, federal environmental regulations, wilderness boundaries, forest health, or natural resource utilization principles. The changes are procedural enhancements to public participation rather than substantive environmental policy modifications.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses Fish and Game Commission proclamation procedures and contains no provisions related to energy independence, energy resource development, oil exploration, electrical rates, hydroelectric power, or any energy-related policies defined in this metric.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill concerns wildlife season-setting procedures and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear power research, technology transfer, or alternative energy development as outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill establishes public comment requirements for Fish and Game proclamations but does not address property rights, takings, just compensation, or property development rights. The procedural changes do not impact private property protections defined in this metric.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill modifies Fish and Game Commission procedures without addressing federal land ownership, state management of federal lands, or reduction of federally administered lands. The changes do not impact land management policies outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
While the bill relates to Fish and Game Commission processes, it adds procedural requirements for public comment rather than substantive wildlife management policies. The bill does not address management goals, enhancement of hunting and fishing opportunities, private property respect in wildlife management, or opposition to federal wildlife policies as defined in this metric.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill addresses Fish and Game Commission proclamation procedures and does not address commerce, industry, small business regulation, tax codes, labor policies, or transportation infrastructure. The changes have no direct impact on economic principles defined in this metric.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill concerns wildlife season-setting procedures and contains no provisions related to healthcare delivery, health insurance, medical decisions, health savings accounts, or child support enforcement as outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill addresses Fish and Game Commission procedures without any connection to family values, marriage, right to life, children's welfare, or parental rights. The changes do not impact family-related policies defined in this metric.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill modifies Fish and Game proclamation procedures and has no connection to policies affecting older Americans, retirement, or services for seniors as outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill establishes procedural requirements for Fish and Game proclamations but does not address gun rights, criminal justice, drug policy, incarceration, juvenile justice, or state sovereignty issues. The changes do not impact law and order principles defined in this metric.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill addresses Fish and Game Commission procedures and contains no provisions related to military strength, veterans, missile defense, military bases, National Guard, border security, or war powers as outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill concerns wildlife management proclamation procedures and has no connection to judicial elections, judicial selection processes, or constitutional interpretation principles defined in this metric.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill addresses Fish and Game Commission proclamation procedures without any provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as outlined in this metric.