Capitol Reflections Week 12 - 2026

Dexton Lake recaps the twelfth and final week of the 2026 Idaho legislative session with a look back at some of the notable successes the Idaho Farm Bureau had with legislation we engaged in that became law this year, as well as a few losses. Also, a thank you to all the legislators for their hard work as well as the Farm Bureau members who took time to learn about the issues and reach out to their legislators.

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 the Idaho legislature has adjourned Sine Die. Sine Die is a Latin term meaning ‘without day’, this means the Second Regular Session of the Sixty-eighth Idaho Legislature has concluded. 

Idaho Farm Bureau had notable success this year in the Statehouse. Legislation we engaged in that became law includes: 

·       H539 which ensures temporary rules are used in emergency type situations and prevents a substantially similar temporary rule from being repromulgated except under certain narrowly crafted circumstances.  

·       H772 that specifies industrial hemp producers growing for fiber or grain may grow under the same regulatory limits as the federal regulations that govern industrial hemp production. 

·       H879 establishments offering certain hemp products for retail sale are subject to the authorities of the existing Industrial Hemp Research and Development Act.

·       H939 regulates the use of thermal imaging, night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drones for hunting but provides exemptions for wolf and predator hunting, and for agricultural purposes.

·       S1224a clarifies operators of farm equipment need to turn off the road only when a safe or a size appropriate exit location becomes available. 

·       S1283 reduces regulation concerning the sale of homemade food and non-alcoholic drink products direct to consumers and reduces regulation by expanding the state custom meat exemption to be any portion size.

·       And the list of successes goes on! 

One of those successes is a long-time Idaho Farm Bureau policy priority, S1326a. This bill finally abolishes the overreaching Open Fields Doctrine in the state of Idaho. This bill, which has been signed into law, codifies historic 4th Amendment protections against government agent entry into all privately owned lands except when they have a valid warrant, permission from the landowner, or an exigent circumstance such as hot pursuit of someone who has broken the law. 

Governor Little signed the bill into law on March 31st. With it came the first transmittal letter of the session where the Governor said this bill is a reflection of the “Idaho way”, which we agree with. He also acknowledged that government agents will need to adjust their investigative and enforcement practices, which we also agree with. This acknowledgement is indicative of the fact that even in Idaho, the rights of landowners have been trampled on due to a flawed Supreme Court ruling. We appreciate all who engaged in S1326a and helped get it across the finish line. 

As always, there were some losses. For instance, H823 would have allowed county fair boards that do not exceed a 200,000-population, to continue to operate as governing boards. Farm Bureau supported H823 but it was ultimately held in the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee. Additionally H842 would have allowed citizens to use the initiative process to lower taxes failed on the House Floor. 

Many good things have been accomplished during the session, most of which you have learned about each week here with Capitol Reflections. You can find all of this year’s articles as well as past years at idahofb.org

We would like to thank all the legislators for their hard work and the time they spend away from their families and their normal jobs. It is a huge sacrifice for every one of them to be here representing their constituents. We appreciate those who work so hard to protect the rights and liberties of Idaho citizens. We also appreciate working with each of them and we look forward to making further progress in the future. We encourage our members to pay attention to who were Friend of Agriculture award recipients and who the IFBF-PAC endorses and make your voices heard at the ballot box in May. 

Lastly, IFBF would like to take a moment to thank each of our members who have taken the time to learn about the issues, and especially those who have reached out to their legislators, asking them to support Farm Bureau positions. Nothing is more effective than when our members talk to their legislators and let them know how bills will affect them on their farming and ranching operations.

Until next year, thanks for tuning in. 

You can learn more, become engaged, and advocate for Idaho Agriculture policy by visiting idahofb.org.

This has been Capitol Reflections with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, the Voice of Idaho Agriculture.