House adopts conference report on Bighorn and domestic sheep relocation bill with shortened effective-date compromise

The House adopted the joint conference committee report on Senate File 118, legislation addressing relocation procedures for bighorn and domestic sheep and related federal actions.

Representative Western explained the conference compromise regarding the effective date: the House position had included an amendment making an effective date of July 1, 2026; the Senate declined that position and the conference settled on Jan. 1, 2026 — moving the effective date earlier than the House had proposed but later than immediate enactment. Western said conferees compromised after discussing implementation processes such as disease-monitoring programs and range-land management assessments.

Chairman Brown questioned the compromise process but Representative Conrad (who identified himself as the face of the decision) confirmed the negotiated 01/01/2026 date. Floor discussion touched on implementation readiness and timeline concerns.

The House adopted the conference report by roll call; the clerk recorded 49 aye, 11 no, 2 excused. By that vote the conference report was adopted.

Ending: The adopted conference report advances the relocation and disease-management provisions with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026; sponsors noted additional administrative steps will be needed to meet the implementation timeline.