The state Land Board's legislation on state-owned cottage sites, which repeals an unconstitutional law that protects the sites from conflict auctions when leases come up for renewal, has passed the Senate in a narrow 18-16 vote. Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, said she's been hearing from many lessees of Priest Lake cabin sites who are concerned about the bill. "Many of these lease lots have been leased 30, 40, 50 years, and home have been built upon them," Keough said. "They placed their faith in the state, made quite an investment in the homes that they have on these lots."

Sen. Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, said he, too, has heard concerns from cabin leaseholders. "There is great concern bordering on distrust that there are other motives that will result in some situations that disadvantage families that have been involved in some of these leases for a long, long time," he said. Sen. Curtis McKenzie, R-Nampa, the bill's sponsor, noted that the bill was unanimously endorsed by the state Land Board, which is chaired by the governor and consists of the state's top elected officials. McKenzie said, "They indicate to me that this is neutral to that current litigation ... and it takes the Land Board out of a difficult position where they've been enjoined by the district court not to apply the statutory provisions which is in conflict with their duty under the Constitution." The bill, SB 1145, now moves to the House.