Idaho House Rejects Bill to Address Invasive Roof Rats

Lawmakers debate whether rat problem is a local or statewide issue

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A bill that would have allowed the Idaho Department of Agriculture to collect data, educate the public, and develop an abatement plan for the state's growing roof rat infestation failed to pass the Idaho House. Lawmakers debated whether the issue is a local problem or a statewide concern, with some arguing that local communities should handle it themselves while others warned of the potential for widespread economic damage if the state doesn't take action.

Why it matters

The invasive roof rat population has been rapidly spreading across Idaho, particularly in the Treasure Valley region, causing significant property and agricultural damage. The failed bill aimed to be a first step in addressing the problem, but some lawmakers felt the state should not get involved in what they view as a local issue.

The details

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Steve Berch, D-Boise, would have tasked the Department of Agriculture with collecting data, educating the public, and developing an abatement plan to be reported to the legislature next year. Supporters argued this proactive approach was necessary to avoid "tens of millions of dollars in property and agricultural damage." However, other lawmakers, such as Rep. David Leavitt, R-Twin Falls, and Rep. Faye Thompson, R-McCall, contended that the rat problem is localized and that local governments should handle eradication efforts. Some also expressed concerns about the potential costs to the state if the Department of Agriculture got involved.

  • The bill was debated and voted on in the Idaho House on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • The bill failed with a vote of 38 in support and 32 against.

The players

Rep. Steve Berch

A Democratic state representative from Boise who sponsored the bill to address the invasive roof rat problem.

Rep. David Leavitt

A Republican state representative from Twin Falls who argued the rat issue is a local problem, not a statewide concern.

Rep. Faye Thompson

A Republican state representative from McCall who echoed the view that the rat problem is localized and won't spread to higher elevations in Idaho.

Rep. Lori McCann

A Republican state representative from Lewiston who argued the rat issue is a statewide concern, comparing it to the invasive quagga mussels in the Snake River.

Rep. Britt Raybould

A Republican state representative from Rexburg who backed Rep. McCann's argument that the state should take a proactive approach to prevent the rat problem from becoming an economic issue.

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What they’re saying

“It's the first step in creating a plan. The one thing we can't afford to do is nothing. We don't want to wait another year. The rate that these rats are multiplying and spreading, this is the right time to take action, to at a minimum, figure out where we're at, what's happening, so we can figure out what that plan needs to be.”

— Rep. Steve Berch, Bill Sponsor

“This is not a systemic issue around the state. A lot of these individuals that already deal with the eradication, they have the ability to go and do it. Local communities and governments can go and contract with some of the eradicators already.”

— Rep. David Leavitt, State Representative

“We have elevations in Idaho from 750 ft, all the way up to over 12,000 ft, the majority of which is over 5000 ft in elevation. So saying that, these rats aren't going to go up into the mountains where it's cold and snowy; they can't survive there. So this is a local issue, and I don't think it's fair for the entire state taxpayer to fund something that's going to be only in the Treasure Valley for the most part.”

— Rep. Faye Thompson, State Representative

“If this wasn't a problem, and the individuals could eradicate it, it would be eradicated. I think like the quagga mussels, we have a problem. And so, these dirty, filthy little rats need to be eradicated.”

— Rep. Lori McCann, State Representative

“What this legislation offers is a proactive approach to ensuring, like we did with the quagga mussels, that we are in a position to prevent this from becoming an issue that has the potential to impact the state's overall economy in a way that, at this moment in time, doesn't seem like a potential issue. But with the evidence that was provided in committee and that we've heard from residents in the Treasure Valley, very much (it) could not only become a state, statewide issue, but could become an economic one as well.”

— Rep. Britt Raybould, State Representative

What’s next

The failed bill means the state of Idaho will not take any immediate action to address the growing roof rat problem. Local communities and governments will have to continue handling eradication efforts on their own.

The takeaway

The debate over the roof rat bill highlights the ongoing tension in Idaho between state and local control over issues that may have broader economic implications. While some lawmakers see the rat problem as a localized issue, others warn of the potential for significant statewide damage if the state does not take a more proactive approach, similar to how it has handled other invasive species like quagga mussels.