2025 Legislative Session
FARE Idaho's Advocacy
Our Commitment to Supporting Bills that Strengthen Local Producers and Businesses
FARE Idaho is dedicated to championing policies that bolster the state’s independent food and agriculture industry. As this year’s legislative session unfolds, we’re actively advocating for key measures that support local producers and businesses.
FARE Idaho supports:
🔹 SB 1133 (Agricultural Protection Area Act, Senate State Affairs Committee) – Enhances protections for Idaho farmland by clarifying and strengthening the establishment of Agricultural Protection Areas. This bill encourages long-term investment in agriculture, preserves critical farmland, and promotes thoughtful land-use planning—directly supporting Idaho’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural economy and ensuring continued stability and growth for local producers and rural communities.
Headed to Gov. Little’s desk for signing.
🔹 SB 1026 (Chicken Bill, Sen. Nichols) – Aims to ease restrictions on small-scale poultry ownership, empowering households, homesteaders, and independent farmers to expand local food production with fewer barriers.
- Failed in House Agricultural Affairs.
🔹 HB 404 (Revised Chicken Bill, House Ag Affairs Committee) – Introduced as a scaled-back version of SB 1026, this bill seeks to ease restrictions on small-scale poultry ownership while addressing concerns raised in previous discussions. By refining the approach, it aims to provide more balanced solutions for households, homesteaders, and independent farmers.
- Failed in House Agricultural Affairs.
🔹 SB 1063 (Small-Scale Livestock, Sen. Nichols) – Focuses on giving small livestock producers greater flexibility in direct-to-consumer sales, fostering stronger rural economies and improving local food access.
🔹 SB 1033 (Right to Farm Expansion, Sen. Lakey) – Strengthens protections for farmers against nuisance lawsuits, ensuring they can continue operations without unwarranted legal challenges, reinforcing Idaho’s commitment to agriculture.
Signed by Gov. Little on March 21st, 2025.
🔹 HB 144 (Entrepreneurial Support, Rep. Monks) – Supports new businesses and early entrepreneurs across all industries, fostering innovation and economic growth throughout Idaho. This bill helps reduce barriers to market entry by improving access to local sales channels such as farmers' markets and events like Field to Fork, ensuring that small businesses and independent producers have the opportunity to thrive.
Signed by Gov. Little on March 17th, 2025.
Beyond these bills, we’re closely monitoring other legislative efforts that could impact the industry, including proposals related to swipe fees, Agricultural Protection Areas (APA), beer liquor license regulations, E-Verify requirements, and workforce immigration policies.
Your engagement makes a difference. If these issues affect your business or livelihood, now is the time to connect with legislators and share your perspective. Stay informed by following our latest updates through our website and newsletter.
FARE Idaho remains committed to standing up for independent producers and ensuring that Idaho’s food economy stays strong, resilient, and locally driven.