HB 576 Summary

• Renames the "Soil Conservation Commission" to the "Idaho State Soil and Water Conservation Commission" throughout Idaho Code and updates all references across multiple sections and related agencies.

• Revises the Commission's composition and appointment procedures, requiring the governor to consider geographic representation and expertise in natural resources, agriculture, banking, and finance when appointing the five-member commission.

• Increases the maximum allocation of funds to soil conservation districts from $50,000 to $58,500 per district, with additional funds allocated based on previous fiscal year allocations and county matching funds.

• Requires soil conservation districts and the Commission to keep each other informed of loan applications received and establishes procedures for consolidated districts to receive enhanced funding for three years following consolidation.

• Makes supervisors of soil conservation districts subject to recall pursuant to Idaho's recall statute and requires supervisors to approve vouchers submitted to the Commission for payment.