TITLE 36

FISH AND GAME

CHAPTER 11

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS

36-1121.  livestock depredation by grizzly bear and wolves. (1) It is the intent of the legislature to provide compensation to livestock owners that have experienced depredation of livestock by grizzly bear and wolves.

(2)  The Idaho state department of agriculture, in consultation with the department of fish and game and the office of species conservation, is authorized to carry out the purposes of this section and has spending authority for compensation pursuant to this section to the extent of legislative appropriation. The depredation of livestock and prevention fund is hereby established in the state treasury. All expenditures from the fund will be paid according to rules promulgated by the Idaho state department of agriculture. Beginning on July 1, 2024, and each July 1 thereafter, the legislature shall appropriate two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) annually to the fund. One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) of that amount shall be used annually to compensate validated claims for depredation, and seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) of that amount shall be used annually for conflict prevention and the provision of information regarding deterrents that have proven effective as determined pursuant to rule as promulgated by the Idaho state department of agriculture. All claims shall be made to the office of species conservation on or before December 31 of each year. Validated claims for depredation shall be paid on a pro rata basis in the event moneys in the fund are insufficient to pay all validated claims in full, until such time as moneys in the fund are depleted. Any moneys in the fund after payment of validated claims shall then be paid to those livestock owners with probable claims for depredation on a pro rata basis in the event moneys in the fund are insufficient to pay all probable claims in full, until such moneys in the fund are depleted. Any moneys in the fund after probable depredation claims are paid shall be carried over to the next calendar year. Interest accruing on moneys in the fund shall be retained in the fund. Moneys shall be continuously appropriated to the fund, but the fund shall not exceed four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000).

(3)  Compensation for claims validated or deemed probable shall be based on current fair market value as provided by the Idaho state department of agriculture. Any other compensation paid to a livestock owner for depredation shall be deducted from the fair market value prior to payment.

(4)  For purposes of this section, "livestock" means cattle, sheep, goat, swine, poultry, bees, llamas, or equine animals used for food or in the production of food, fiber, feed, or other agriculture-based consumer products, domesticated game, or other nonplant life; such term shall not include aquatic animals.

History:

[36-1121, added 2024, ch. 51, sec. 1, p. 260.]