Bill Description: House Bill 195 would require increased transparency when the Department of Fish and Game transplants or relocates wildlife. 

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Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?

House Bill 195 would amend Section 36-106, Idaho Code, to require that before expending funds or taking action to transplant or relocate wildlife, the Department of Fish and Game give "reasonable notice" to affected county commissioners, federal and state land grazing permittees, and owners or leaseholders of private land in or contiguous to the proposed site. 

The bill would require the "board of county commissioners of any county where the transplant or relocation is proposed to take place" to conduct a hearing for each transplant or relocation action "if any affected individual or entity expresses written concern within ten (10) days of notification regarding the transplant or relocation." The hearing would be held within 30 days of the request and the board would have to "take a vote to approve, modify, or reject the proposed transplant or relocation."

The bill would also say it is the state's policy "that existing sheep or livestock operations in the area of any transplanted or relocated wildlife are prioritized and that the potential risk, if any, of disease transmission and loss of wildlife when such wildlife invade domestic sheep or livestock operations is accepted."

Additionally, "prior to any transplant or relocation of wildlife, the department shall provide for any affected federal or state land grazing permittees or owners or leaseholders of private land a written agreement signed by all federal, state, and private entities responsible for the transplant or relocation of wildlife stating that the existing sheep or livestock operations in the area of any such transplant or relocation are recognized and that the potential risk, if any, of disease transmission and loss of wildlife when such wildlife invade domestic livestock or sheep operations is accepted."

Taken together, the provisions added to Idaho Code by House Bill 195 should provide increased transparency for landowners and give them an opportunity to raise concerns before the state funds actions to transplant or relocate wildlife.

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