PROPERTY – Amends Senate Bill No. 1326 to provide for scope and applicability.
Summary
S1391 is a trailer bill to S1326a that narrows in on property surveying rules. Its stated purpose is to restore the ability of a publicly employed land surveyor to enter private land when performing surveying activities, and to restore the requirement that the surveyor provide notice of the survey to the property owner or occupant. The bill is framed as a clarification and adjustment to the earlier property legislation rather than a broad policy change.
In practical terms, the bill affects the rules governing public land surveyors and private property access in Idaho. It reaffirms that certain government-employed surveyors may enter private land for official surveying work and that affected landowners or occupants must be notified. The bill was enacted as Session Law Chapter 278 and became effective on April 2, 2026, indicating it amended existing property law immediately upon signature.
Impact
The bill amends the scope and applicability of prior property legislation, specifically S1326a, by restoring surveyor access rights and notice requirements. It impacts state law governing land surveying, property access, and notice to landowners or occupants, while leaving the fiscal note at no impact. The practical effect is to preserve public surveying functions and clarify the legal authority of publicly employed surveyors on private land.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly favorable and low-conflict. It passed the Senate 34-1 and the House 64-0, suggesting broad bipartisan support and little opposition. The bill’s framing as a clarification of constitutional/property rights and its no-fiscal-impact note likely contributed to the positive reception.
Contention
There is little evidence of major contention in the available record. The only visible dissent was a single no vote in the Senate, while the House passed the bill unanimously. Any underlying concern would likely center on the balance between public surveyors’ access to private property and landowners’ privacy or trespass concerns, but no committee debate or detailed objections are provided in the record.
Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding who may own certain property, to provide for prohibition on lease or purchase of certain land or dwellings, and to provide for prohibition on access to state assets.
Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the County Property Tax Relief Act to provide that a county may establish a sales tax on certain lodging to provide property tax relief to homeowners in the county and to revise a provision regarding certain duties of owners of short-term rental properties.
Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding who may own certain property, to provide for prohibition on lease or purchase of certain land or dwellings, and to provide for prohibition on access to state assets.
Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding applicability of the terms “embryo,” “fetus,” and “preborn child” in regards to a suit for wrongful death and the crimes of aggravated battery and homicide.