State constitutional changes allowing the Idaho State Land Board to choose the land disposal method that best maximizes return to the trust were recommended by a citizen advisory committee last year and received support in the 2010 state legislature.  The concurrent resolution ran out of time to clear the House this spring, but may be reintroduced in the 2011 session.  If passed by the legislature, the bill would go to a public vote in 2012.

Twice a volunteer citizen committee has encouraged the land board to consider reforms that better serve the beneficiaries of state trust land sales, the first time in 2001. In 2009, the Endowment Land Transaction Advisory Committee also studied modern real estate tools before determining that the land board lacks the necessary flexibility to compete in the marketplace and, as a result, carry out its fiduciary duty.  The suggested change would allow for a variety of disposal methods consistent with today's business practices.  Because Idaho has a Land Bank Fund, proceeds from land sales are then reinvested in other lands to produce revenue for trust beneficiaries.  Currently, the Idaho Constitution only allows public auction as a means of disposing land.    

The proposed constitutional amendment, finalized by the land board in March 2010 and then introduced into the legislature, passed the Senate State Affairs committee before the session ended.  Based on the education effort begun this legislative session, the board will continue to engage stakeholders and beneficiaries on the issue over the summer and may reintroduce the measure next year.  The focus in the year leading up to the 2012 public vote will be building strong, vocal support among members of the beneficiary community.

For details about proposed constitutional changes recommended by the 2009 committee, visit http://www.idl.idaho.gov/am/eltac.html.