Dear IPMA Members,

We are pleased to share that S1271, the “Rodents of Unusual Size Act,” was defeated on March 17th, 2026 on the House floor by a vote of 38–32.

This bill had significant momentum—it passed the Senate and advanced out of committee in the House. Through coordinated effort and strong engagement, it ultimately did not pass.

IPMA took a leadership role throughout this process. We developed formal opposition, testified before committees, and met directly with lawmakers one-on-one to ensure they understood the real-world impact of this bill.

We would especially like to recognize Senator Kohl and Representative Leavitt, who were vocal in their opposition and crucial to the effort in defeating this bill.

We also worked to engage partners beyond our industry. At our instigation, Food Producers of Idaho joined in strong opposition, adding meaningful weight to the conversation.

The concerns we raised—cost, government expansion, and impact on private industry—clearly resonated and were central to the outcome.

This result did not happen by accident. It was the direct result of IPMA members stepping up and engaging at the right time.

That said, the vote was close—too close. This issue is not going away. IPMA will continue to fight for the rights of the pest control industry in Idaho, particularly on issues surrounding rat control and the role of private enterprise.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your involvement made the difference.

Sincerely,

Idaho Pest Management Association

Kirk Dean, IPMA President Elect

(208) 249-9666

Barrier Pest Control, Nampa