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ID HJR008
Joint Resolution
Status
Introduced
2/4/2026
Primary Sponsor
State Affairs Committee
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AI Summary
- Proposes amending Section 8, Article IX of the Idaho Constitution to establish a priority-of-use framework for state endowment lands: revenue-generating activities come first, followed by preserving and promoting public access for recreation, hunting, fishing, and trapping
- Guarantees public access to state lands shall not be denied as long as recreational activities do not impede contracted revenue-generating activities, and prioritizes both revenue generation and public access over the sale or exchange of such lands
- Removes the existing constitutional mandate that lands be managed to "secure the maximum long term financial return" to the beneficiary institution, replacing it with the new priority-of-use framework
- Creates a new classification of "public lands" for any lands granted or acquired from the federal government on or after July 1, 2026, subject to valid existing rights and managed under the same priority-of-use objectives, with revenues deposited into a dedicated state fund for maintaining and operating those public lands
- Directs the proposed constitutional amendment to be placed before Idaho voters at the next general election, asking whether state lands should be managed "for the beneficial use of the beneficiary and public"
Legislative Description
Proposes an amendment to the state constitution regarding state-owned lands.
PUBLIC LANDS
Last Action
Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
2/5/2026
Committee Referrals
State Affairs2/5/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available