2004 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 700 – Big game depredation, claims

HOUSE BILL NO. 700

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Bill Status



H0700.........................................by RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
BIG GAME DEPREDATION - Amends existing law to revise provisions relating to
payment of specified claims from the Big Game Primary Depredation Account
and the Big Game Secondary Depredation Account; to clarify provisions
relating to compensation from the Big Game Primary Depredation Account for
certain crop losses and damage claims; to provide for additional claims; to
revise procedures relating to the determination and payment of certain
damage claims; to revise procedures and duties relating to specified
arbitration panels; and to revise procedures relating to the determination,
processing and payment of claims for damage or destruction by black bears
or mountain lions.
                                                                        
02/16    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/17    Rpt prt - to Res/Con
02/20    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
02/23    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
02/25    3rd rdg - PASSED - 62-0-8
      AYES -- Andersen, Barraclough, Barrett, Bauer, Bayer, Bell, Black,
      Block, Boe, Bolz, Bradford, Campbell, Cannon, Clark, Collins, Crow,
      Cuddy, Deal, Denney, Douglas, Edmunson, Ellsworth, Eskridge,
      Field(23), Gagner, Garrett, Harwood, Henbest, Jaquet, Kellogg,
      Kulczyk, Lake, Langford, Langhorst, Martinez, McGeachin, McKague,
      Meyer, Miller, Mitchell, Moyle, Naccarato, Pasley-Stuart, Raybould,
      Ridinger, Ring, Ringo, Roberts, Robison, Rydalch, Sali, Sayler,
      Shepherd, Shirley, Smith(30), Smith(24), Smylie, Snodgrass,
      Stevenson, Trail, Wills, Wood
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- Bedke, Eberle, Field(18), Jones, Nielsen,
      Schaefer, Skippen, Mr. Speaker
    Floor Sponsor - Wood
    Title apvd - to Senate
02/26    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to Res/Env
03/02    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/03    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/15    3rd rdg - PASSED - 29-0-6
      AYES -- Andreason, Bailey, Bunderson, Burkett, Burtenshaw,
      Calabretta, Compton, Darrington, Gannon, Geddes, Goedde, Hill,
      Ingram, Kennedy, Keough, Little, Lodge, Malepeai, Marley, McKenzie,
      McWilliams, Noble, Pearce, Richardson, Schroeder, Sorensen, Stegner,
      Sweet, Werk
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- Brandt, Cameron, Davis, Noh, Stennett, Williams
    Floor Sponsor - Kennedy
    Title apvd - to House
03/16    To enrol
03/17    Rpt enrol - Sp signed
03/18    Pres signed - To Governor
03/23    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 189
         Effective: 07/01/04

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-seventh Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 2004
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 700
                                                                        
                          BY RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO FISH AND GAME; AMENDING SECTION 36-114, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PRO-
  3        VISIONS RELATING TO THE PAYMENT OF SPECIFIED CLAIMS FROM THE BIG GAME PRI-
  4        MARY DEPREDATION ACCOUNT; AMENDING SECTION 36-115, IDAHO CODE,  TO  REVISE
  5        PROVISIONS  RELATING  TO THE PAYMENT OF SPECIFIED CLAIMS FROM THE BIG GAME
  6        SECONDARY DEPREDATION ACCOUNT AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;  AMENDING
  7        SECTION  36-1108,  IDAHO CODE, TO CLARIFY PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMPENSA-
  8        TION FROM THE BIG GAME PRIMARY DEPREDATION ACCOUNT FOR CERTAIN CROP LOSSES
  9        AND DAMAGE CLAIMS, TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN  ADDITIONAL  CLAIMS,  TO  REVISE
 10        PROCEDURES  RELATING  TO  THE  DETERMINATION AND PAYMENT OF CERTAIN DAMAGE
 11        CLAIMS AND TO REVISE PROCEDURES AND DUTIES RELATING TO SPECIFIED  ARBITRA-
 12        TION  PANELS;  AND  AMENDING SECTION 36-1109, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROCE-
 13        DURES RELATING TO THE DETERMINATION, PROCESSING AND PAYMENT OF CLAIMS  FOR
 14        DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION BY BLACK BEARS OR MOUNTAIN LIONS.
                                                                        
 15    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 16        SECTION  1.  That  Section  36-114, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 17    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 18        36-114.  BIG GAME PRIMARY DEPREDATION ACCOUNT. (a) The  big  game  primary
 19    depredation account is hereby established in the state treasury. Moneys in the
 20    account  are  subject  to  appropriation  for  the purposes recited in section
 21    36-1108, Idaho Code. Interest earned on  investment  of  idle  moneys  in  the
 22    account shall be paid to the fish and game account.
 23        (b)  The  state  controller  shall  annually, as soon after July 1 of each
 24    year as practical, transfer into the  account  two  hundred  thousand  dollars
 25    ($200,000)  from  the  fish and game account. Unexpended and unencumbered bal-
 26    ances in the big game primary depredation account existing on  June  30  shall
 27    revert to the fish and game account.
 28        (c)  Moneys in the account may be appropriated only to:
 29        1.  Honor  payment agreements made pursuant to section 36-1108(a)3., Idaho
 30        Code.
 31        2.  Make depredation damages  payments  pursuant  to  section  36-1108(b),
 32        Idaho Code.
 33        3.  Provide for reimbursement of expenses for members of the advisory com-
 34        mittee established in section 36-122, Idaho Code.
 35        (d)  Any  payment  for damages pursuant to section 36-1108(b), Idaho Code,
 36    is limited by the following conditions and requirements:
 37        1.  The full amount of any approved claim will not be paid at the time  of
 38        approval,  but  shall  be subject to the following conditions and require-
 39        ments:
 40             (A)  The director may order not more than one-thirdhalf (1/32) of the
 41             amount of the approved claim that is to be paid  from  the  big  game
 42             primary  depredation account to be paid immediately, if, in the judg-
 43             ment of the director, such payment  is  within  the  estimated  total
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1             claims  liability for that fiscal year from the big game primary dep-
  2             redation account.
  3             (B)  The balance of all unpaid approved claim amounts shall be  accu-
  4             mulated to a total as of June 30. If the balance in the big game pri-
  5             mary  depredation  account  is  sufficient  to pay the balance of all
  6             approved claims, the director shall promptly pay them. If the balance
  7             is not sufficient to pay the balance  of  all  approved  claims,  the
  8             director shall pay a proportionate share to each claimant.
  9             (C)  The  director  shall  encumber  the balance of the moneys in the
 10             account, or moneys sufficient to pay the approved  claims,  whichever
 11             is the lesser.
 12        2.  Each  claimant  must submit a statement of total damages sustained per
 13        occurrence. For each such statement, the following conditions and require-
 14        ments apply:
 15             (A)  The amount of one thousand dollars  ($1,000)  must  be  deducted
 16             from  each such statement. This deductible is a net loss to the owner
 17             or lessee, and will not be compensated for from either the  big  game
 18             primary  depredation  account  or  the big game secondary depredation
 19             account.
 20             (B)  The total amount that may be paid from the big game primary dep-
 21             redation account shall not exceed nine thousand dollars ($9,000)  per
 22             approved claim.
 23             (C)  Approved claims that exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) total
 24             (one  thousand  dollars ($1,000) deductible and nine thousand dollars
 25             ($9,000) payment from the big game primary depredation account) shall
 26             be processed under the provisions of section 36-115, Idaho Code.
 27             (D)  Approved claims of any amount that involve damage to  livestock,
 28             berries  or  honey  by black bear or mountain lion shall be processed
 29             under the provisions of section 36-115, Idaho Code.
 30             (E)  Approved claims of any amount that involve damage to  forage  by
 31             antelope,  deer, elk or moose shall be processed under the provisions
 32             of section 36-115, Idaho Code.
 33             (F)  Provided however, that for claims in subsequent and  consecutive
 34             years  for damage to standing or stored crops in the same location as
 35             the first occurrence, the one  thousand  dollar  ($1,000)  deductible
 36             shall  be  waived  if  the department failed to prevent property loss
 37             following the first occurrence.
 38        3.  Each approved claim must contain a certification by  the  director  of
 39        the department of fish and game, or his designee, that:
 40             (A)  All  statutory  requirements  leading up to approval for payment
 41             have been met.
 42             (B)  The claimant has  certified  that  he  will  accept  the  amount
 43             approved  as  payment in full for the claim submitted, subject to the
 44             conditions and requirements of this subsection.
                                                                        
 45        SECTION 2.  That Section 36-115, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
 46    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 47        36-115.  BIG  GAME SECONDARY DEPREDATION ACCOUNT. (a) The big game second-
 48    ary depredation account is hereby created in the state treasury. Moneys in the
 49    account are subject to appropriation  for  the  purposes  recited  in  section
 50    36-1108(b),  Idaho  Code,  section  36-114(d), Idaho Code, section 36-1109 and
 51    section 36-1110, Idaho Code. Moneys in the account shall be invested  as  pro-
 52    vided  in  section  67-1210,  Idaho Code, and interest earned on investment of
 53    idle moneys in the account shall be paid to the account. The big game  second-
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    ary  depredation  account  shall  be under the administrative direction of the
  2    state controller.
  3        (b)  In addition to any moneys appropriated  to  the  account  from  other
  4    sources, the state controller shall transfer the earned interest not to exceed
  5    two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  ($250,000) from the fish and game
  6    account to the big game secondary depredation account each fiscal year until a
  7    total of one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000) has  been
  8    transferred to the account.
  9        (c)  The  principal  amount  in the account shall not be appropriated, but
 10    only the interest earned on investment of the moneys in the account  shall  be
 11    available for appropriation. The state controller shall annually report to the
 12    legislature, the division of financial management, the director of the depart-
 13    ment  of  agriculture  and the director of the department of fish and game the
 14    amount of interest earnings and the availability of such earnings  for  appro-
 15    priation. However, should the balance in the account ever exceed three million
 16    dollars  ($3,000,000),  interest  earnings that exceed the amount appropriated
 17    for any fiscal year shall be  transferred  to  the  fish  and  game  set-aside
 18    account  for habitat rehabilitation. Transferred funds shall be spent pursuant
 19    to an appropriation for the set-aside account.
 20        (d)  Any  payment  for  damages  pursuant  to  sections   36-1108(b)   and
 21    36-114(d),  Idaho  Code,  is  limited by the following conditions and require-
 22    ments:
 23        1.  The full amount of any approved claim will not be paid at the time  of
 24        approval,  but  shall  be subject to the following conditions and require-
 25        ments:
 26             (A)  The director of the department of fish and game  may  order  not
 27             more  than  one-thirdhalf  (1/32) of the amount of the approved claim
 28             that is to be paid from the big game secondary depredation account to
 29             be paid immediately, if, in the judgment of the director,  such  pay-
 30             ment  is  within the estimated total claims liability for that fiscal
 31             year from the big game secondary depredation account.
 32             (B)  The balance of all  unpaid  approved  claim  amounts,  including
 33             claims  submitted  under  the  provisions  of  sections  36-1109  and
 34             36-1110,  Idaho  Code, shall be accumulated to a total as of June 30.
 35             If the balance in the big game secondary depredation  account  appro-
 36             priation is sufficient to pay the balance of all approved claims, the
 37             director  shall pay them. If the balance is not sufficient to pay all
 38             approved claims, the director shall authorize a proportionate  amount
 39             to  be  paid  to  each  claimant. However, claims filed under section
 40             36-1108, Idaho Code, shall have priority and will be  paid  prior  to
 41             claims filed under sections 36-1109 and 36-1110, Idaho Code.
 42             (C)  The  director  shall encumber the balance of moneys appropriated
 43             from the big game secondary depredation account, or moneys sufficient
 44             to pay the approved claims, whichever is the lesser.
 45        2.  Each claimant must submit a statement of total damages  sustained  per
 46        occurrence. For each such statement, the following conditions and require-
 47        ments apply:
 48             (A)  The  amount  of  one  thousand dollars ($1,000) must be deducted
 49             from each such statement. This deductible is a net loss to the  owner
 50             or  lessee,  and will not be compensated for from either the big game
 51             primary depredation account or from the big game  secondary  depreda-
 52             tion  account,  but  the owner or lessee is required to absorb only a
 53             single one thousand dollar ($1,000) deductible per claim, whether the
 54             claim is paid solely from the big game primary depredation account or
 55             from both depredation accounts.
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1             (B)  Provided however, that for claims in subsequent and  consecutive
  2             years  for damage to standing or stored crops in the same location as
  3             the first occurrence, the one  thousand  dollar  ($1,000)  deductible
  4             will be waived as provided in section 36-114(d)(2)(F), Idaho Code.
  5        3.  Each  approved  claim  must contain a certification by the director of
  6        the department of fish and game, or his designee, that:
  7             (A)  All statutory requirements leading up to  approval  for  payment
  8             have been met.
  9             (B)  The  claimant  has  certified  that  he  will  accept the amount
 10             approved as  payment in full for the claim submitted, subject to  the
 11             conditions and requirements of this subsection.
 12        (e)  Any  claim  for  damages  pursuant to section 36-1109, Idaho Code, is
 13    limited by the following conditions and requirements:
 14        1.  The full amount of any approved claim will not be paid at the time  of
 15        approval,  but  shall  be subject to the following conditions and require-
 16        ments:
 17             (A)  The director of the department of fish and game may  order  that
 18             not  more  than  one-thirdhalf  (1/32)  of the amount of the approved
 19             claim to be paid immediately, if, in the judgment of  the   director,
 20             such  payment is within the estimated total claims liability for that
 21             fiscal year from the big game secondary depredation account.
 22             (B)  The balance of all unpaid approved claim amounts shall be  accu-
 23             mulated to a total as of June 30. If the balance in the big game sec-
 24             ondary  depredation  account  appropriation  is sufficient to pay all
 25             approved claims, the director shall promptly pay them. If the balance
 26             is not sufficient to pay the balance  of  all  approved  claims,  the
 27             director  shall pay a proportionate share to each claimant.  However,
 28             claims filed under section 36-1108, Idaho Code, shall  have  priority
 29             and  will  be  paid  prior to claims filed under sections 36-1109 and
 30             36-1110, Idaho Code.
 31             (C)  The director shall encumber the balance of the appropriation, or
 32             moneys sufficient to  pay  the  approved  claims,  whichever  is  the
 33             lesser.
 34        2.  Each  claimant  must submit a statement of total damages sustained per
 35        occurrence. For each such statement, the following condition applies:  the
 36        amount  of  one  thousand dollars ($1,000) must be deducted from each such
 37        statement. Provided however, if an owner or caretaker suffers damage to or
 38        destruction of livestock in more than one (1) occurrence during the fiscal
 39        year, then only one (1) deductible must be subtracted from the claims  and
 40        the  deductible  on subsequent claims will be waived. This deductible is a
 41        net loss to the owner or caretaker, and will not be compensated  for  from
 42        the big game secondary depredation account.
 43        3.  Each  approved  claim  must contain a certification by the director of
 44        the department of fish and game, or his designee, that:
 45             (A)  All statutory requirements leading up to  approval  for  payment
 46             have been met.
 47             (B)  The  claimant  has  certified  that  he  will  accept the amount
 48             approved as payment in full for the claim submitted, subject  to  the
 49             conditions and requirements of this subsection.
 50        (f)  Any  claim  for  damages to forage pursuant to section 36-1110, Idaho
 51    Code, is limited by the following conditions and requirements:
 52        1.  The full amount of any approved claim will not be paid at the time  of
 53        approval,  but  shall  be subject to the following conditions and require-
 54        ments:
 55             (A)  The director of the department of fish and game  may  order  not
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1             more than one-thirdhalf (1/32) of the amount of the approved claim to
  2             be  paid  immediately, if, in the judgment of the director, such pay-
  3             ment is within the estimated total claims liability for  that  fiscal
  4             year from the big game secondary depredation account.
  5             (B)  The  balance of all unpaid approved claim amounts shall be accu-
  6             mulated to a total as of June 30. If the balance in the big game sec-
  7             ondary depredation account appropriation is  sufficient  to  pay  all
  8             approved  claims,  the director shall pay them. If the balance is not
  9             sufficient to pay all approved claims, the director shall authorize a
 10             proportionate amount to be paid to each  claimant.   However,  claims
 11             filed under section 36-1108, Idaho Code, shall have priority and will
 12             be  paid  prior  to  claims filed under sections 36-1109 and 36-1110,
 13             Idaho Code.
 14             (C)  The director shall encumber the balance of the appropriation, or
 15             moneys sufficient to  pay  the  approved  claims,  whichever  is  the
 16             lesser.
 17        2.  Each  claimant  must submit a statement of total damages sustained per
 18        occurrence. For each such statement, the following conditions and require-
 19        ments apply:
 20             (A)  The amount of one thousand dollars  ($1,000)  must  be  deducted
 21             from  each such statement. This deductible is a net loss to the owner
 22             or lessee, and will not be compensated for from the big game  second-
 23             ary depredation account.
 24             (B)  The total amount of all claims for damages to forage that may be
 25             paid from the big game secondary depredation account shall not exceed
 26             twenty-five  percent  (25%)  of  the  amount  of interest earned from
 27             investments of moneys in that account in any one (1) fiscal year.
 28        3.  Each approved claim must contain a certification by  the  director  of
 29        the department of fish and game, or his designee, that:
 30             (A)  All  statutory  requirements  leading up to approval for payment
 31             have been met.
 32             (B)  The claimant has  certified  that  he  will  accept  the  amount
 33             approved  as  payment in full for the claim submitted, subject to the
 34             conditions and requirements of this subsection.
                                                                        
 35        SECTION 3.  That Section 36-1108, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 36    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 37        36-1108.  CONTROL  OF  DAMAGE BY ANTELOPE, ELK, DEER OR MOOSE -- COMPENSA-
 38    TION FOR DAMAGES. (a) Prevention of depredation shall be a priority management
 39    objective of the department, and it is the obligation of  landowners  to  take
 40    all  reasonable  steps  to  prevent property loss from wildlife or to mitigate
 41    damages by wildlife. When any antelope, elk, deer or moose is doing damage  to
 42    or  is  destroying  any  property  or  is  about to do so, the owner or lessee
 43    thereof may make complaint and report the facts to the director or his  desig-
 44    nee  who shall, within seventy-two (72) hours, investigate the conditions com-
 45    plained of. If it appears that the complaint is well founded and the  property
 46    of  the  complainant  is being or is likely to be damaged or destroyed by such
 47    antelope, elk, deer or moose, the director may:
 48        1.  Send a representative onto  the  premises  to  control,  trap,  and/or
 49        remove  such animals as will stop the damage to said property. Any animals
 50        so taken shall remain the property of the state and shall be  turned  over
 51        to the director.
 52        2.  Grant  properly  safeguarded permission to the complainant to control,
 53        trap and/or remove such animals. Any animals so  taken  shall  remain  the
                                                                        
                                           6
                                                                        
  1        property of the state and shall be turned over to the director.
  2        3.  Make  an  agreement with the owner or lessee to allow continued use of
  3        lands by the animals where damage by them has occurred to stored,  growing
  4        or  matured crops on private property whether owned or leased. This agree-
  5        ment may be transacted only after department attempts to resolve the prob-
  6        lem by other means have proven unsuccessful. The agreement made under  the
  7        provisions  of  this  subsection may provide for financial compensation to
  8        the owner or lessee. If made, financial compensation under the  provisions
  9        of  this subsection shall be governed by the provisions of section 36-114,
 10        Idaho Code, and shall not be in addition to any payments for the same crop
 11        losses from any other source. Compensation for damages  under  the  provi-
 12        sions  of  this subsection  shall be available for damages done to private
 13        lands, whether owned or leased, if the owner  or  lessee  allowed  hunters
 14        reasonable  access to the property or through the property to public lands
 15        for hunting purposes during the preceding hunting season.  This  provision
 16        shall  not  negate the provisions of section 36-1602, Idaho Code, relating
 17        to the necessity of obtaining permission to enter private land. If  neces-
 18        sary, the arbitration panel provided for in subsection (b) of this section
 19        shall determine the reasonableness of access allowed.
 20        (b)  1.  In  order  to  establish eligibility for submission of claims for
 21        damages, persons suffering crop damages on privately owned or leased  land
 22        caused by antelope, elk, deer or moose must:
 23             (A)  Notify the department within seventy-two (72) hours of discovery
 24             of damage.
 25             (B)  Follow  up  verbal notification with a written notice within ten
 26             (10) days of the discovery of damages.
 27             (C)  The department shall not be held liable or accountable  for  any
 28             damages  occurring more than ten (10) days prior to the initial noti-
 29             fication of damage. However, the department may extend the period  up
 30             to thirty (30) days under exceptional circumstances.
 31        The  owner  or  lessee  must have allowed hunters reasonable access to the
 32        property or through the property to public lands for hunting purposes dur-
 33        ing the preceding hunting season or the claim for damages shall be  disal-
 34        lowed.  Compensation  for crop damages' claims shall not be in addition to
 35        any payments for the same crop losses from any other source and shall  not
 36        include  fence or other types of property damage. While fences and irriga-
 37        tion equipment are not subject to claim for  payment,  the  department  is
 38        allowed  to  provide  support and assistance, including provision of mate-
 39        rials to design, construct, and maintain fences for  control  of  depreda-
 40        tion.  The  notice  of damages caused must be in written form, shall be in
 41        the form of a claim for damages substantially the same as required by sec-
 42        tion 6-907, Idaho Code, shall be attested to by the claimant  under  oath,
 43        and  the  claim shall be at least one thousand dollars ($1,000). The claim
 44        shall not be amended after it is filed, provided however, that a  claimant
 45        may  file an additional claim in the event additional damage occurs subse-
 46        quent to filing the initial claim. The department shall prepare  and  make
 47        available  suitable  forms for notice and claim for damages. Claims may be
 48        submitted only for the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) in which  they
 49        occurred. Any person submitting a fraudulent claim shall be prosecuted for
 50        a  felony as provided in section 18-2706, Idaho Code. For purposes of this
 51        subsection, crop damages shall mean damage to plants grown or  stored  for
 52        profit and exclude ornamental plants.
 53        2.  Upon receipt by the department, the department shall review the claim,
 54        and  if  approved,  pay  it  as provided in section 36-114, Idaho Code, or
 55        order it paid as provided in section 36-115, Idaho Code.  Failure  on  the
                                                                        
                                           7
                                                                        
  1        part  of  the  owner  or lessee to allow on-site access for inspection and
  2        investigation of alleged losses shall void the claim for damages.
  3        3.  If In the event the owner or lessee and the department finds that fail
  4        to agree on the amount of damages has indeed occurred, the department  may
  5        pay the amount of the damages as claimed, or, within fifteen (15) business
  6        days  of  the  written claim, either party may make a counter offer to pay
  7        elect to  retain  the  services  of  an  independent  certified  insurance
  8        adjuster  licensed in the state of Idaho to view the affected property and
  9        determine the amount of damages. In the event the owner or lessee and  the
 10        department fail to agree on the amount of damages and neither party elects
 11        to  retain  the   services of an independent certified insurance adjuster,
 12        provisions of subsection (b)4. of this section shall apply.  The  indepen-
 13        dent certified adjuster shall complete his review and determination within
 14        thirty  twenty  (320)  days  from the date he is retained, and will report
 15        his determination in writing by certified mail to the  department  and  to
 16        the  owner  or  lessee.  Neither  the owner or lessee, nor the department,
 17        shall disturb the affected property prior to review and  determination  by
 18        the  independent insurance adjuster. Costs associated with the services of
 19        the written claim independent insurance adjuster shall be divided  equally
 20        between the owner or lessee and the department, subject to reapportionment
 21        of the costs by an arbitration panel pursuant to the provisions of subsec-
 22        tion  (b)4.  of  this  section.  If the department, or the owner or lessee
 23        rejects the department's offer, which rejection  or  refusal  must  be  in
 24        writing,  the  provisions  of paragraph 4. shall apply. Any offer which is
 25        not accepted determination of the adjuster, they shall  notify  the  other
 26        party  in writing of the rejection within thirty five (305)  business days
 27        of receipt shall be deemed to be rejected of the adjuster's determination.
 28        In the event that either party rejects the adjuster's  determination,  the
 29        provisions of subsection (b)4. of this section shall apply.
 30        4.  Within  five  (5)  working  business days of the owner's or lessee's a
 31        rejection of an offer to pay adjuster's determination of damages or  fail-
 32        ure  of  the owner or lessee and the department to agree on damages when a
 33        certified insurance adjuster is not used, or within five (5) working  days
 34        after  the department finds that no damage has in fact been sustained, the
 35        director must convene an arbitration  panel.  To  convene  an  arbitration
 36        panel,  the  director must, within five (5) working business days, appoint
 37        the department's representative and notify the landholder of the  appoint-
 38        ment.  The  landholder(s) shall, within the next five (5) working business
 39        days following such notice from the department, appoint his representative
 40        and notify the department of the appointment. Within  the  next  five  (5)
 41        working  business  days,  the department representative and the landholder
 42        must mutually appoint the third arbitrator. The  arbitration  panel  shall
 43        consist of three (3) members, as follows:
 44             (A)  The director of the department of fish and game or his designee;
 45             (B)  The owner or his designee, or the lessee or his designee;
 46             (C)  One (1) member selected by the two (2) members above.
 47        The  panel  shall  convene within thirty (30) days of the selection of the
 48        third arbitrator, and render its decision within fourteen (14) days  after
 49        the  hearing.  When  convened,  the  arbitration panel shall have the same
 50        authority to make on-site inspections as the department. The owner or les-
 51        see shall be responsible for payment of the expenses of his appointee; the
 52        director shall pay the expenses of his appointee from the big game primary
 53        depredation account; and the expenses of the third member shall be a joint
 54        responsibility of the owner or lessee, and the department.  Provided  how-
 55        ever,  the panel is authorized to review the costs associated with retain-
                                                                        
                                           8
                                                                        
  1        ing the independent insurance adjuster  and  to  determine  whether  those
  2        costs should instead be borne solely by the owner or lessee, solely by the
  3        department,  or be apportioned between the owner or lessee and the depart-
  4        ment. In cases where an independent insurance adjuster was used, the party
  5        electing to use the adjuster shall assume the insurance adjuster's  deter-
  6        mination  of  damage as their estimate of damage. The panel shall consider
  7        the claim submitted by the owner or lessee, and the  estimate  of  damages
  8        determined submitted by the department, and shall select one (1) amount or
  9        the  other  as  being  the closest to the actual damages sustained  by the
 10        claimant. The arbitration panel shall report its decision  in  writing  to
 11        both the owner or lessee and to the department within ten (10) days of the
 12        decision,  and  the decision of the panel shall be binding on the owner or
 13        lessee and the department. The fish  and  game  advisory  committee  shall
 14        develop  guidelines  to  govern  arbitration procedures in accordance with
 15        chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.
 16        (c)  Any claim received by the department under the provisions of  subsec-
 17    tion (b) of this section must be processed by the department within sixty (60)
 18    calendar  days  of receipt. If the claim is approved for payment, payment must
 19    be made within forty-five (45) calendar days  of  such  approval.  Any  damage
 20    claim  determination  by an independent insurance adjuster pursuant to subsec-
 21    tion (b)3. of this section, accepted by the  parties,  must  be  paid  by  the
 22    department  within  forty-five (45) calendar days of the determination. If the
 23    claim is arbitrated, the arbitration must  be  completed  within  one  hundred
 24    eighty (180) calendar days of filing the claim for such damages.
                                                                        
 25        SECTION  4.  That  Section 36-1109, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 26    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 27        36-1109.  CONTROL OF DAMAGE BY BLACK BEARS OR MOUNTAIN LIONS --  COMPENSA-
 28    TION  FOR DAMAGE. (a) Prevention of depredation shall be a priority management
 29    objective of the department, and it is the obligation of  landowners  to  take
 30    all  reasonable  steps  to  prevent property loss from black bears or mountain
 31    lions or to mitigate damage by such. The director, or his representative, will
 32    consult with appropriate land management agencies and landusers before  trans-
 33    planting or relocating any black bear or mountain lion.
 34        (b)  When  any  black  bear  or  mountain  lion  has  done damage to or is
 35    destroying livestock on public, state,  or  private  land,  whether  owned  or
 36    leased,  or when any black bear has done damage to or is destroying berries or
 37    honey on private land, the owner  or  his  representative  of  such  livestock
 38    shall,  for  the purposes of filing a claim, report such loss to a representa-
 39    tive of the U.S. department of agriculture animal plant and health  inspection
 40    services/animal  damage control (APHIS/ADC) who shall, within seventy-two (72)
 41    hours, investigate the conditions complained of. For purposes of this section,
 42    livestock shall be defined as domestic cattle, sheep, and goats. If it appears
 43    that the complaint is well founded and livestock, berries or honey of the com-
 44    plainant has been damaged or destroyed by such black bear  or  mountain  lion,
 45    APHIS/ADC  shall  so  inform  the director or the department's regional office
 46    owner or his representative of the extent of physical damage or destruction in
 47    question. The owner shall provide the director or  the  department's  regional
 48    office  with the APHIS/ADC determination of damages or destruction. The physi-
 49    cal damages, without establishing a monetary value thereon, as  determined  by
 50    the  APHIS/ADC  representative  shall  be final, and shall be binding upon the
 51    owner or his representative and on the department.
 52        (c)  Any claim for damages must be in written form, shall be in  the  form
 53    of  a  claim  for damages substantially the same as required in section 6-907,
                                                                        
                                           9
                                                                        
  1    Idaho Code, shall be attested to by the claimant under  oath,  and  the  claim
  2    shall  be  for  an amount of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) in damages
  3    per occurrence. The department shall prepare and make available suitable forms
  4    for claims for damages. Claims may be submitted only for the fiscal year (July
  5    1 through June 30) in which they occurred. Any person submitting a  fraudulent
  6    claim  shall  be prosecuted for a felony as provided in section 18-2706, Idaho
  7    Code.
  8        1.  Upon receipt by the department, the department shall review the claim,
  9        and if approved, pay it as provided in section 36-115, Idaho Code. Failure
 10        on the part of the owner or representative to allow on-site  access  shall
 11        negate the claim for damages.
 12        2.  If  the  department  accepts the claim for damages as submitted by the
 13        owner or his representative, the department may approve the claim for pay-
 14        ment, or may make a counter offer. If  the  owner  or  his  representative
 15        rejects  the department's counter offer, this rejection or refusal must be
 16        in writing and submitted within five (5) working business days. The  value
 17        of the damage or destruction will then be determined by arbitration as set
 18        forth  in  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (b)3. of section
 19        36-1108, Idaho Code, and, in circumstances so provided for by  the  provi-
 20        sions of subsection (b)3.  of section 36-1108, Idaho Code, pursuant to the
 21        provisions  of  subsection (b)4. of section 36-1108, Idaho Code. Any claim
 22        received by the department under the provisions of this  section  must  be
 23        finally  decided  processed  by  the department within sixty (60) calendar
 24        days of receipt. by the department. If the claim is approved for  payment,
 25        the  claim  must be immediately forwarded to the department of administra-
 26        tion for payment. Any damage claim determination by an independent  insur-
 27        ance  adjuster,  accepted  by  the parties, must be paid by the department
 28        within forty-five  (45)  days  of  the  determination.  If  the  claim  is
 29        arbitrated,  the  arbitration  must be completed within one hundred eighty
 30        (180) days of filing the claim for such damages.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                             RS 14072

     This legislation provides that, upon making a payment on a
claim for depredation damages, the Department of Fish and Game
will now pay the claimant 1/2 as an initial payment, instead of
the current 1/3.  The change also allows for the use of an
independent certified adjuster, if either the claimant or the
Department of Fish and Game do not agree on the amount of the
claim.  This should keep most claims from going to arbitration.
                          

                           FISCAL IMPACT
     
     No fiscal impact on the General Fund.


Contact
Name: Dar Olberding 
Phone: (208) 761-6012




STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                    H 700