ID H0373

Places the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Lands and specifies it shall consist of five members appointed by the governor with Senate consent.

Requires commission members to have expertise in oil and gas matters, geological matters, water matters, and include one private landowner with mineral rights and one without mineral rights in counties with oil and gas activity.

Establishes four-year terms for commission members with staggered initial appointments and grants the commission jurisdiction over oil and gas exploration and production with limited local planning and zoning exceptions.

Prohibits cities, counties, and political subdivisions from actually or operationally prohibiting oil and gas extraction or post-extraction processing facilities, though extraction may be subject to reasonable local ordinances protecting public health, safety, and property values with administrative permits issued within 21 days.

Grants the commission power to make and enforce rules and regulations, designate hearing officers, sue and be sued, and vests the attorney general as its legal advisor and representative in all court proceedings.