House Bill 451 Summary

• Amends Idaho Code Section 50-222 to add new requirements for city annexation of forest land of 5 acres or greater that is actively devoted to forest use as defined in section 63-1701.

• Requires express written permission from the owner before a city can annex forest land of 5 acres or greater, regardless of whether the land is surrounded or bounded by city lands.

• Applies the same written permission requirement to agricultural land of 5 acres or greater that is actively devoted to agriculture, maintaining existing protections for farmland.

• Declares an emergency, making the changes effective immediately upon passage and approval.