Capitol Reflections: 2025 Session, Issue 2

By: Idaho Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs

“Without property rights, no other rights are possible.” - Ayn Rand

Capitol Minute

To help our members be fully informed about the issues going on during the legislative session, there will be a short video each week in which our Governmental Affairs team highlights what is discussed in length in the Capitol Reflections Newsletter. We strongly encourage members to continue reading the newsletter to get the most information, but this new video will help when you want a quick synopsis or to learn about the issues on the go.

How a Bill Becomes State Law

You may have seen the classic I’m Just a Bill clip from Schoolhouse Rock, but have you ever wondered if the legislative process works the same way at the state level? The answer is yes—at least in terms of the general steps. However, if you haven’t seen the clip or find some legislative terms confusing, this guide should help.

In Idaho, the process of turning an idea into law has three main stages: Routing Slip, Bill, and Law.

1. Routing Slip (RS)

The process begins when a legislator works out the details of a proposed law that addresses the issues of a constituent. They either do this independently or with help from a legislative advisor (like the Idaho Farm Bureau’s Government Affairs team). This proposal is assigned a Routing Slip (RS)—a confidential draft identified by a number. These drafts aren’t public, and many never make it beyond this stage.

The legislator then presents the RS to a germane committee (a committee relevant to the subject matter) during a print hearing. At this hearing, the legislator gives a general overview of the proposal, and the committee votes on whether the RS should move forward and be printed as a bill. Most RS drafts are approved, but some are rejected and never become bills.

2. Bill

Once the RS is approved, it is assigned a bill number and formally introduced during a legislative floor session. This is the first reading. From there, it is sent to a germane committee for its official hearing as a bill.

In the committee, the legislator sponsoring the bill presents it in greater detail, explaining the idea behind it. Legislators on the committee ask questions, and members of the public can testify either in support or opposition. The committee then votes on whether to send the bill to the full legislative body for consideration.

However, committee chairs hold significant power. If a chair dislikes a bill, they can "put it in the drawer," effectively killing the bill by preventing it from being heard or discussed.

If the committee approves the bill, it returns to the floor for its second reading. At this stage, there’s no debate, allowing legislators time to review the bill. During the third reading, at least one day after the second reading, the bill is debated and voted on. If it passes with a majority vote, it is sent to the other chamber (House or Senate), where the process starts over.

Amendments are sometimes suggested during this stage. If one chamber amends a bill, the other chamber must agree to the changes. This can result in multiple votes on the same bill.

3. Law

Once a bill passes both chambers, it is returned to the originating chamber and then sent to the governor. The governor has three options:

• Sign the bill into law.
• Allow it to become law without a signature by taking no action within a specified timeframe.
• Veto the bill, preventing it from becoming law unless the Legislature overrides the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

And that’s how an idea officially becomes the newest Idaho law!

Water Users in Boise

Many water/irrigation managers and representatives were in Boise this week for the Idaho Water Users Association’s (IWUA) 88^th Annual Convention. Farm Bureau was a sponsor of the IWUA event and was happy to see so many Farm Bureau members in attendance.

A variety of topics were discussed and considered at this year’s convention. Attendees heard about top water priorities for this year's legislative session, the latest state snowpack report, and updates on regional and national issues. Participants also had the chance to hear from Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) Director, Matt Weaver, and Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) Vice-Chair, Jo Ann Cole-Hansen. The two outlined their priorities and addressed some of the water projects that have been funded and advanced around the state. IWRB Chairman, Jeff Raybould, also gave an overview and outline of the new settlement agreement between surface water and ground water users on the Eastern Snake Plain.

Of particular interest to Farm Bureau, was the conversations regarding legislative priorities. Farm Bureau is part of IWUA’s workgroups on the topics of Idaho’s Domestic Exemption law which is working on draft legislation that will likely be considered during this legislative session. The IFBF Policy listed below is guiding staff as conversations continue with this topic.

• IFBF Policy #28 regarding domestic wells supports Idaho Water law first-in-time, first-in-right, being applied to all wells drilled in Idaho, including domestic wells. We support evaluating domestic wells under Idaho water law for new wells in the future which would require developers to supply irrigation water and/or irrigation water delivery systems using existing water rights and/or gray water to new developments. We support IDWR enforcing the domestic well exemption restrictions on one half acre homesteads, not to exceed 13,000 gallons of water used per day. We support the negotiations between the stakeholders to reform the domestic exemption under Idaho water law.

Another topic of interest is the Governor’s proposal of $30 million of on-going funding to help advance water infrastructure projects throughout the state. Farm Bureau strongly supports this proposal and will work with legislators to see it implemented.

For those that are interested in the latest NRCS snowpack reports, visit this website: NRCS Idaho Snow Survey and Water Supply | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)

For BOR storage reservoirs levels “teacup” diagrams, visit this website and select the region of interest: Hydromet Pacific Northwest Region | Bureau of Reclamation (usbr.gov)

Labeling Alternative Animal Proteins

This week a bill was introduced that would require any “alternative” animal proteins to be prominently labeled so consumers know what they are eating. The bill, sponsored by Rep Heather Scott (R-Blanchard) was introduced in the House Agricultural Affairs Committee.

In June of 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the manufacture and sale of lab grown meat. Although it is not currently widely available in the US, this bill would ensure that the front label of any such cell-cultured or lab grown meat would be clearly labeled as such. 

It would also require any proteins sourced through insect body parts, larvae, or eggs to also be conspicuously labeled so consumers know exactly what is in their food. Currently there are a small handful of companies producing protein bars and other food items with cricket flour or other insect derived protein. 

After several questions from the committee about specific details of the bill, the committee unanimously approved its introduction.

AFBF policy #345 regarding food labeling says in part: “We support prohibiting the use of commonly known and industry recognized “meat” terms in the labeling and advertising of all lab-grown and plant-based alternatives.” 

It goes on to state: “we oppose the use of commonly used nomenclature or specific “meat” terms such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, lamb, mutton, chevon, goat, veal and fish or specific cuts of meat such as roast, steak, ground, breast, chop, filet, etc. on a lab-grown product label;”

While the bill as written does not prohibit the use of those terms, the sponsor has reached out to Farm Bureau for input following the hearing. We will work with Rep Scott and seek to include the prohibition on the use of commonly used meat nomenclature on the labeling of lab grown, or insect derived proteins.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources Available to Follow During Session:

Legislative Website Homepage: HERE

2025 Legislative Session Bill Center: HERE

List of Senate Committee Assignments: HERE

List of House Committee Assignments: HERE

Current Senate Committee Agendas: HERE

Current House Committee Agendas: HERE

Watch Committee Meetings and Floor Sessions Live: HERE

Governor’s Bill Action and Legislative Communications: HERE