ENERGY AND MINERALS – Amends existing law to provide for the deposit of moneys collected from the federal government pursuant to the Federal Power Act.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Creates a dedicated renewable energy resources fund into which 90% of federal receipts (including Federal Power Act funds) and royalties for geothermal, wind, and solar are deposit

Signed by Governor on 03/24/25 Session Law Chapter 161 Effective: 07/01/2025

#energy #fuels #funds #landuse #lands #mineralsandmining #naturalresources #oil

Main purpose

SB 1020 updates Idaho Code section 57-1306 to (1) treat federal receipts tied to hydropower/use of federal lands under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803(e)(1)) consistently with other federal energy receipts, and (2) create a dedicated renewable energy resources fund into which specified receipts will be deposited and from which the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources may expend funds by appropriation.

Key provisions

Amends Idaho Code §57-1306 (Impact Funds).

County share: Continues the existing rule that 10% of specified federal receipts are remitted to the general fund of the counties from which the resources were extracted/developed. County shares are computed proportionally based on receipts attributable to federal lands within each county. Funds are restricted for public roads or public schools.

New fund and deposit rule: The remaining 90% of receipts from sales/royalties/bonuses/rentals of renewable energy resources PLUS moneys collected from the federal government under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803(e)(1)) for use of federal lands are to be deposited into a newly created “renewable energy resources fund.”

Fund management: Interest earned on idle balances is returned to the fund. Moneys in the fund may be expended only by appropriation and may be used by the administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources consistent with the office’s duties and authorities.

Definition: “Renewable energy resources” are limited to geothermal, wind, and solar resources.

Technical corrections to §57-1306 are included.

Emergency clause: Declares an emergency and sets the effective date as July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

Counties containing federal renewable energy or mineral lands — receive 10% of qualifying federal receipts for roads/schools.

Office of Energy and Mineral Resources — gains a dedicated fund (renewable energy resources fund) from which to support programs by appropriation.

State Treasurer — charged with receiving and remitting/depositing the specified federal receipts.

Public schools and local road programs — indirect beneficiaries via county and fund allocations (depending on appropriations).

Fiscal and implementation notes

Fiscal note (proponent-prepared) states no net impact on Idaho's General Fund, no increased appropriation required, and no change to existing programs or implementation expenditures. These federal receipts were not included in baseline revenue forecasts.

The bill amends an existing statutory distribution mechanism to explicitly include Federal Power Act receipts with renewable energy receipts.

Legislative action / timeline

Introduced: March 13, 2025 (Senate).

Passed both chambers (Senate and House) with unanimous or overwhelming support in March 2025.

Signed by Governor: March 24, 2025.

Effective date: July 1, 2025 (emergency clause).

For more detail, see the amended Idaho Code §57-1306 and the fiscal note prepared by the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Contacts listed in the fiscal note include the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources administrator.

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