ID H0587

Amends Section 58-104A to require division administrators of timber, real estate, minerals, and grazing divisions to have significant preexisting industry experience in their respective fields, and requires the real estate administrator to hold a current real estate appraiser's certification.

Creates a new Idaho Department of Lands ombudsman position appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor, with salary paid from departmental funds.

Requires the ombudsman to ensure new department hires have significant industry experience, provide all instructions to appraisers, and select, hire, oversee, and terminate private counsel and independent outside experts for departmental needs.

Mandates monthly comparison of the department's average timber and mineral lease and sales prices to average private industry prices, reported at each land board meeting to ensure the endowment meets its constitutional mandate.

Requires all land exchange applications exceeding 10,000 acres to be evaluated by the ombudsman with mandatory appraisals selected and overseen by the ombudsman, with results submitted to the land board.

Declares an emergency and makes the act effective July 1, 2022.