East Idaho News
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Proposed bill could put the future of Idaho's oldest state park at risk
Posted
March 4, 2026
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March 4, 2026
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47:42Now Playing#eastidahonews #idaholegislature #harrimanstatepark
IDAHO FALLS - Locals are concerned about the future of Harriman State Park after the passage of a bill in the Idaho Senate.
SB 1300, which passed the Senate floor on Monday with a 21-14 vote, provides for senate advice and consent, as well as gubernatorial appointment for the directors of the Idaho Departments of Transportation, Fish and Game and Parks and Recreation.
Sen. Doug Okuniewicz, R-Hayden, is the bill's sponsor. He tells EastIdahoNews.com the directors of most state agencies are appointed by the governor and subject to senate confirmation. The goal of this bill is to bring these departments in line with all the others to make it more consistent.
"I've experienced some side effects from that level of autonomy that they possess currently. They end up drifting into a policy-making role far more often than other agencies do and it creates a lot of friction," Okuniewicz says. "That's the exclusive domain of the legislature."
Okuniewicz says checks and balances are an important function of government and the ability to have senate confirmation of these executive agencies is something that should be implemented.
Since its advancement through the Senate, many have expressed concerns with the bill. Opponents say it violates an agreement that resulted in the creation of Harriman State Park, and if enacted, could transfer ownership of the park back to the Harriman family.
In 1963, the Harrimans gifted the land that now comprises Harriman State Park to the state, on the condition that the legislature establish a "professionally staffed career park service whose personnel shall be chosen on the basis of merit alone."
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