The bill amends Section 36-115 of the Idaho Code to revise the provisions regarding the Big Game Depredation Fund and the payment of claims. It establishes a nonexpendable Big Game Depredation Fund and renames the existing big game secondary depredation account as the expendable Big Game Depredation Fund. The state controller is required to transfer $2,250,000 from the secondary account to the nonexpendable fund and to allocate an annual transfer of $200,000 from the fish and game account to the expendable fund. The bill also outlines the conditions under which claims for damages can be paid, including a limit on the total payment amount to any individual and the requirement for a deductible on claims.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for the payment of claims, including adjustments to account for payment limitations and the handling of unpaid claims. It specifies that the director of the Department of Fish and Game can authorize immediate partial payments of approved claims and outlines the process for distributing remaining funds after claims are settled. The bill declares an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 36-115