Bill Description: Senate Bill 1079 establishes the “agricultural best management practices” fund.

Rating: -1

Amendment Analysis: The Amendment to Senate Bill 1079 does not change the rating or substantively change the analysis.

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?

Senate Bill 1079 amends Section 39-3628A, Idaho Code, to establish the agricultural best management practices fund for the benefit of the department of environmental quality. 

The bill states, "the department may expend or grant moneys" from the agricultural BMP fund "for a statewide grant program to support implementation of agricultural best management practices to help meet water quality standards in impaired water bodies in Idaho."

It further states that grants from the agricultural BMP fund may be distributed to agricultural producers, organizations that provide irrigation water and drainage, soil conservation districts, and other "local public and private nonprofit organizations organized for the purpose of supporting agricultural BMP implementation."

Creating another government fund and granting third parties access to it enlarges the scope and influence of government activity. Additionally, it encourages and increases interdependence between government and nonprofit organizations. 

(-1)