STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS31408 / H0646
This Legislation amends Idaho Code Sections, 31-107, 31-111, 31-120, 31-130, 31-131, and 31-142, revising
the North-South boundary lines of Benewah, Bonner, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, and Shoshone Counties.
This legislation will remove references to an ambiguous North-South line of reference common to the above
six (6) county boundaries and will redescribe new boundaries with a clear unambiguous North-South boundary
based on the United States Public Land Surey System. This Legislation will fix a long-standing problem with
legal descriptions, and surveys stemming from descriptions written prior to Idaho’s Statehood, based upon a
“tree” at the mouth of the Northfork of the Clearwater River, which disappeared decades ago. The surveyors and
others from these counties have been working on this problem for over seven (7) years. This is a culmination of
work by all six (6) counties and proper ordinances have been recorded by each of the six (6) Counties agreeing
to this fix. This legislation will require the County Assessors of Benewah, Bonner, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah,
and Shoshone Counties to complete the following no later than January 1, of the year following the enactment
of this law:
1. To revise their respective County Tax Assessment rolls to reflect the County Boundary revisions in this
legislation;
2. To enlist the services of a licensed land surveyor to produce new legal descriptions for any land parcels
affected by the new County boundaries. All REVISED descriptions shall include the words, “CHANGED
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SIX BOUNDARY STATUTE ENACTED IN 2024 BY THE IDAHO
LEGISLATURE”;
3. Provide written notice to any affected landowners with copies to the adjoining county of said parcel legal
description changes, and advise said landowners that their respective County Clerk will waive recording fees for
any corrective deeds filed in association with this change for a period of one-year (1) following the enactment
of this law;
4. To ensure that no lapses of title occur, all new parcel deeds presented by landowners whose lands have been
affected by these boundary changes, shall be forwarded to title companies doing business in said County.
FISCAL NOTE
There is a small fiscal note that will affect a one-time general fund appropriation in the total amount of SIXTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS, ($60,000) which shall be appropriated to the Idaho State Controller’s Office for
distribution as follows: Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to Benewah County; Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)
to Bonner County; Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to Clearwater County; Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to
Kootenai County; Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to Latah County; and Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to
Shoshone County. These funds are to cover any costs to each of the six (6) counties, associated with affecting
the changes in this legislation.
Contact:
Representative Lori McCann
(208) 332-1000
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN INTRODUCED: 02/23/2024, 9:43 AM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 31-107, 31-111, 31-120, 31-130, 31-131, 31-142