Bill Description: House Bill 696 would generally require nonresidents seeking hunting tags or permits for deer, elk, or pronghorn to obtain them through a draw process. The bill would also establish a committee to develop this process. 

Rating: -1

NOTE: House Bill 696 is related to House Bill 587, introduced earlier this session. 

NOTE: The House Amendment to House Bill 696 adds a sunset date of November 20, 2026, to the "nonresident draw implementation committee," whose work would be complete by that point. The rating of the bill has changed.

Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

House Bill 696 would create Section 36-419, Idaho Code, to say, "On and after November 15, 2026, any deer, elk, or pronghorn antelope tag or permit will not be available for sale on a first-come, first-served basis to a nonresident who is subject to a general hunt tag quota set pursuant to section 36-408, Idaho Code, unless that tag is unclaimed, returned, or otherwise unsold after being made available through at least one (1) drawing or otherwise set aside as a tag for outfitted hunter use pursuant to section 36-408, Idaho Code."

It would also authorize the fish and game commission "to promulgate rules to implement this section, subject to approval by the legislature."

In addition to imposing inconveniences on hunters, these regulations have the potential to harm businesses that sell hunting tags and permits, or provide other goods and services to nonresident hunters. 

(-1)

Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?

House Bill 696 would create Section 36-419A, Idaho Code, to establish "the nonresident draw implementation committee," which will be instructed to "meet as often as is necessary to develop a plan for implementing" draw process for nonresident hunters. 

This committee will include a state representative appointed by the Speaker of the House; a state senator appointed by the senate president pro tempore; an Idaho fish and game commissioner; an Idaho resident who holds a valid Idaho hunting license; an Idaho resident who holds "a valid license from the Idaho outfitters and guides licensing board and who is a member of a bona fide Idaho outfitters and guides group;" and an Idaho resident who holds "a valid Idaho hunting license and who is a member of a bona fide Idaho sportsmen's group."

This committee is directed to develop a plan to include "any recommended law and rule changes" and to "deliver such plan to the Idaho legislature by January 13, 2025."

The House Amendment to House Bill 696 adds a sunset date of November 20, 2026, to this committee, whose work should be complete by that point.

(0)