HCR 22: Climate Variability Interim Committee — 2019

Rep. Mat Erpelding (D-Boise) introduced a measure that would establish a Climate Variability Interim Committee. The proposed HCR 22 arose after the first official climate change hearing ever held by a committee of the Idaho Legislature in March 2019.

HCR 22 recognizes the many impacts of climate change, including decreased snow packs and increased droughts, fires, floods, and overall storm and weather severity. The resolution would establish a one-year committee to study the effects of climate change in Idaho and would ensure the involvement of Idaho agencies that manage land and water such as the Idaho Department of Water Resources, Idaho Department of Lands and Idaho State Department of Agriculture. The committee would recommend actions to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change in Idaho.

This interim committee would report its findings to the 2020 Legislative Session. The discussion surrounding climate change is already happening in Idaho and this committee would be another important step in that dialogue.