ID S1328

Establishes that the Idaho Department of Lands shall have its own general counsel hired by the director and approved by the State Board of Land Commissioners, operating independently from the Attorney General's office

Transfers legal authority for civil enforcement actions across multiple resource management areas—including forest fire liability, log brand violations, oil and gas conservation, mining operations, and state land trespass—from the Attorney General to the Department of Lands' general counsel

Authorizes general counsel to provide legal services for both the Department of Lands and the State Board of Land Commissioners, represent them in all courts and administrative proceedings, and hire additional attorneys or contract with outside counsel as needed

Amends approximately 17 sections of Idaho Code covering forest protection, railroad fire duties, slash disposal, log scaling, forest practices, oil and gas regulation, placer/dredge mining, surface mining, navigable lake encroachments, and state land occupation

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause declaring immediate effectiveness upon that date