Capitol Reflections Week 7 - 2026

Dexton Lake recaps week 7 of the Idaho legislative session with a bill dealing with Idaho’s shortage of large animal veterinarians, two hemp-related bills aimed at providing greater regulatory clarity and certainty, a bill modernizing wolf trapping requirements, and an update on a bill outlining appropriate circumstances for using temporary rules.

Transcript

Welcome to Capitol Reflections from the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation where we bring you the latest policy updates affecting Idaho Agriculture.

I’m Dexton Lake and thank heaven we are done with week seven of the session. 

 Senate Bill 1335 has been printed and is awaiting a full hearing in the Senate Education Committee. The bill is sponsored by Senator Tammy Nichols and Representative Jerald Raymond, who chair the respective Agricultural Affairs Committees, and it addresses Idaho’s shortage of large animal veterinarians.

Currently, Idaho funds eleven students each year to attend veterinary school at Washington State University, covering out-of-state tuition and certain hands-on experiences in partnership with the University of Idaho. However, there has been no requirement that those students return to practice in Idaho.

S1335 would require participating students to return and work in Idaho for four years. It would also require that at least thirty percent of their annual practice — or 600 hours — be devoted to large animal medicine, specifically cattle, sheep, goats, and swine.

The need is significant. Of roughly 900 licensed veterinarians in Idaho, only about 50 primarily service cattle. That’s a serious concern in a state with approximately 2.5 million head of cattle and a $12 billion beef and dairy industry. This bill adds accountability to the state’s investment while directly supporting Idaho agriculture. IFBF supports S1335.

Two hemp-related bills are also advancing this session, both aimed at providing greater regulatory clarity and certainty.

House Bill 771 establishes new rules for retail hemp sales in Idaho. The bill reiterates that only naturally derived CBD in consumable or personal products can be sold sold at retail. All other CBD products, whether synthetic or otherwise, would be prohibited. Retailers would be required to obtain an annual license from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and submit to inspection and testing. The department would have rulemaking authority, and penalties would apply for violations.

House Bill 772 focuses on hemp production. It clarifies that producers growing hemp for grain or fiber will not be considered negligent if they make reasonable efforts to comply with state and federal law and their crop tests at no more than one percent total THC on a dry-weight basis. This recognizes that environmental factors can affect THC levels and protects farmers acting in good faith.

Together, these measures create clearer guardrails for Idaho’s hemp marketplace — protecting responsible producers and retailers while maintaining compliance with federal and state law. Idaho Farm Bureau supports both H771 and H772.

House Bill 678 unanimously passed out of committee this week. Sponsored by Representative Charlie Shepherd, the bill modernizes wolf trapping requirements.

Current policy requires traps to be checked every three days. H678 clarifies that this requirement can be met through the use of transmitting game cameras rather than requiring a physical visit every time.

This update reflects modern technology, allowing trappers to monitor traps more frequently and reduce unnecessary human disturbance in the area. It’s a practical, twenty-first century adjustment that supports effective wildlife management. IFBF supports H678.

Finally, for an update on House Bill 539 outlining appropriate circumstances for using temporary rules, please refer to the full Capitol Reflections newsletter available at idahofb.org.