This bill revises the appointment process for directors of the Idaho Transportation Department, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Parks and Recreation, establishing that these directors will be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. It removes the previous requirement for these positions to be filled by a commission, thereby streamlining the appointment process. Additionally, it specifies that directors appointed on or before July 1, 2026, will be subject to confirmation by the Senate during the first regular session of the sixty-ninth Idaho legislature. The bill also mandates that these directors must devote full time to their duties and outlines qualifications and compensation for the chief engineer of the transportation department.

Moreover, the bill addresses wildlife management by enhancing collaboration between the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Agriculture regarding wildlife disease monitoring and controlled hunt permits. It requires prompt reporting of any suspected communicable diseases in wildlife and details the process for selling controlled hunt permits through an independent contractor. The bill declares an emergency and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring that these changes are implemented promptly.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 59-904, 36-106, 40-503, 67-4222