HB 265 Summary

• Establishes the Interstate Compact on the Transfer of Public Lands as a new chapter in Idaho Code, enabling Idaho and other western states to coordinate efforts to secure transfer of federally controlled public lands to state governments.

• Creates a compact commission composed of one official representative from each member state (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming), with voting rights limited to member states only.

• Provides for a compact commission chair and cochair elected for two-year terms (maximum two terms), a compact administrator, and regular meetings at least annually, with all meetings recorded and minutes made public within 30 days.

• Allows the compact commission to levy annual assessments on member states to cover operational costs, but member states may opt out by voting against the assessment or notifying the commission within 60 days of the vote.

• Establishes compact goals including developing model legislation for member states to adopt regarding state sovereignty over federal lands and drafting legislation for Congress, which take effect only after two states adopt the compact and Congress consents under the U.S. Constitution.