Idaho

The people of Idaho adopted a constitution in November of 1889 and subsequently attained statehood through the Admissions Act, cementing a trust contract between Idaho and the federal government as part of the agreement. The state agreed not to tax the federal lands and in exchange the government granted the state sections sixteen and thirty-six (one square-mile parcels of land) in each thirty-six square mile township in a trust for the support of public schools. The original grantconsisted of 3,063,271 acres, of which 2.09 million surface acres and 2.57 million mineral acres are retained. The state accepted the agreement including the responsibility to act as trustee. The Idaho State Constitution establishes the State Board of Land Commissioners, consisting of the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Auditor. Under their direction, the Idaho Department of State Lands manages the lands to produce surface and mineral revenue as outlined in governing documents in such a manner as will secure the long term financial return to the institution to which granted.

A permanent fund was also established in connection with the land trust where non-renewable resource revenue is deposited, generating perpetual revenue for schools from the interest earned on the fund. The constitution protects the fund as it shall forever remain inviolate and intact. The State Treasurer is responsible for management of the $581 million dollar fund. The distribution to public schools in FY 2006 from permanent fund interest and renewable resource revenue combined was almost $23 million.

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