ID H0377

Creates the "Agricultural Protection Area Act" allowing counties and municipalities to establish voluntary agricultural protection areas for landowners with more than 5 acres dedicated to farm, ranch, or forest production, effective after January 1, 2025.

Establishes agriculture protection area boards composed of 3-5 members from county soil and water conservation district boards to evaluate applications and make recommendations to governing bodies.

Requires public notice, hearings, and a 120-day approval process for creating protection areas, with recorded legal descriptions filed with county recorders and notifications sent to the Idaho Department of Agriculture.

Prohibits local zoning changes or regulations that restrict farming practices within protection areas unless practices violate generally recognized farming standards, and prevents eminent domain condemnation except for public health or safety needs.

Creates the "Agricultural Lands Protection Fund" as a dedicated state treasury fund to incentivize participation, support land use planning tools, and promote agricultural succession planning resources.