PETROLEUM CLEAN WATER TRUST FUND ACT – Amends existing law by removing outdated or unnecessary provisions related to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund.
Summary
S1265 is a cleanup bill for the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund Act. It repeals or updates seven sections of Idaho Code in Title 41, Chapter 49, removing provisions that are described as obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary. The bill specifically addresses items such as initial appointment criteria and references to fee transfers tied to money earned before August 3, 1995, along with other legacy language that no longer appears to serve a current purpose.
The measure is part of the broader Idaho Code Cleanup Act effort approved in the 2025 legislative session, which aimed to streamline state law and keep the code current. According to the fiscal note, the bill does not change state or local revenues or expenditures, so it has no fiscal impact. It was ultimately signed by the Governor and became Session Law Chapter 17, effective July 1, 2026.
Impact
S1265 amends Idaho Code provisions governing the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund Act by removing outdated statutory language and updating references within Title 41, Chapter 49. The bill does not create new programs, alter funding levels, or change the basic structure of the trust fund; instead, it cleans up obsolete provisions that may no longer be operative. Its practical effect is to simplify and modernize the statute for the state, agencies, and any parties interacting with the trust fund framework.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate 33-0 and the House 61-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The absence of committee transcript debate and the bill’s characterization as a code cleanup measure suggest general agreement that the changes were technical and housekeeping in nature.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention around S1265. The main issue addressed is whether outdated provisions in the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund Act should remain in the code, and the bill’s proponents argued they should be repealed or updated as part of a broader cleanup effort. Because the bill is limited to removing obsolete language and does not affect funding, benefits, or regulatory obligations, no opposing viewpoint is reflected in the available record.