ID H0653

Requires the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director to provide 30 days advance notice to county commissioners and affected landowners/grazing permittees within a 5-mile radius before any planned movement of wild game

Grants county boards of commissioners authority to hold public hearings and vote to approve or reject proposed wildlife relocations if requested by affected persons within 10 days of notification; the board's decision is final and binding

Allows "responsive movement" (emergency relocations) without prior notice when animals pose imminent threats to public safety, but requires avoiding release sites near active livestock operations, critical infrastructure within 1,000 feet, and municipalities when feasible

Prohibits the release of any captive-born or captive-raised wolves or grizzly bears into the wild unless specifically required to avoid Endangered Species Act listing or to facilitate delisting

Expands existing bighorn sheep notification and disease management requirements to apply to all "wild game" species and requires the director to maintain a publicly accessible report of all responsive movement actions updated within 30 days

Effective date: July 1, 2026 (declared emergency legislation)