Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1243 – Idaho OnePlan Removal – Code Cleanup Act
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1243 removes all references to the “Idaho OnePlan” from Idaho Code Chapter 22-2717 and 22-2718. The Idaho OnePlan was a computer-based system for natural resource planning by landowners and land users. The bill deletes the definition of Idaho OnePlan from the definitions section and eliminates the provision requiring the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission to establish and encourage its use as a primary conservation planning process.
The legislation is presented as part of the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, with the stated intent to streamline state laws by removing provisions identified as obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary. The bill renumbers all subsequent definitions in Section 22-2717 to account for the deletion and removes subsection (4)(f) from Section 22-2718, which had directed the commission to provide for the establishment of the Idaho OnePlan system.
The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective July 1, 2026, and requires confirmation by the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee and House Agricultural Affairs Committee.
Overall Assessment
This bill represents a minor administrative cleanup of Idaho Code with minimal policy impact. The removal of the Idaho OnePlan references constitutes a modest step toward streamlining government by eliminating an obsolete program, resulting in a slight positive alignment with principles of responsible government. The changes are technical in nature and do not substantively affect agricultural policy, natural resource management, water rights, or other major policy areas. The bill maintains existing conservation district functions while simply removing references to a specific planning tool that has been deemed unnecessary.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (1)
Section 1 explicitly states the Legislature has identified these provisions as "obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary" following comprehensive review. The removal of the Idaho OnePlan program and its associated administrative requirements from Sections 22-2717 and 22-2718 represents a modest effort to streamline government operations by eliminating an unused or ineffective program, aligning with principles of efficient government administration.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill modifies definitions and duties within the soil and water conservation commission code. It does not address citizen involvement in government, electoral processes, voting procedures, or civic engagement in any manner.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill concerns soil and water conservation administrative code and does not address education policy, curriculum, schools, parental rights in education, or any education-related topics.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
While the bill modifies code sections related to soil and water conservation that support agriculture, the specific changes only remove references to a planning tool without altering substantive agricultural policies, water rights for agriculture, or support for family farms. The underlying conservation district functions and agricultural programs remain unchanged.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill does not address water rights, prior appropriation doctrine, inter-basin transfers, dam removal, water recharge, or state sovereignty over water resources. The changes are limited to removing references to a planning system without affecting water management policies.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill removes references to the Idaho OnePlan planning tool from conservation commission code but does not change policies regarding environmental stewardship, federal environmental regulations, or natural resource utilization. The deletion is administrative and does not substantively alter natural resource management approaches or environmental policies.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses soil and water conservation definitions and commission duties. It contains no provisions related to energy independence, energy resources, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or energy policy.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill concerns state soil and water conservation code and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology development, or related topics.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill does not affect private property rights, regulatory takings, compensation requirements, or property development rights. The deleted text included confidentiality protections for OnePlan users, but removing this obsolete program does not impact broader property rights protections.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill modifies conservation district definitions and commission duties without addressing federal land management, state administration of federal lands, or reduction of federal land ownership within Idaho.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses soil and water conservation administrative provisions and does not reference fish and game management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or wildlife management policies.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill removes an obsolete program, it does not substantively address commerce, industry, small business regulation, labor policy, taxation, or transportation infrastructure. The changes are too minor and technical to constitute meaningful economic policy reform.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill concerns soil and water conservation code and does not address healthcare, health insurance, medical decision-making, welfare programs, or related health and welfare topics.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill modifies conservation commission code and does not address family values, marriage, parental rights, abortion, or other family-related policy issues.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill addresses soil and water conservation administrative provisions and does not concern policies or programs related to older Americans, retirement, or senior services.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill concerns conservation district definitions and commission duties. It does not address gun rights, criminal justice, drug policy, incarceration, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement matters.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill modifies soil and water conservation code and has no connection to national defense, veterans' affairs, military installations, the National Guard, border security, or related defense topics.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill addresses conservation commission administrative code and does not concern judicial elections, constitutional interpretation, or the structure of Idaho's judiciary.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill modifies soil and water conservation definitions and commission duties. It does not address religious freedom, conscience protections, or government interference in religious practices.