Idaho Bills

Amending existing law to revise provisions regarding Appaloosa license plates.

THIS Legislation amends Idaho Code Section 49-420D, to revise provisions regarding the Appaloosa Horse License Plates. The original legislation instructed any fees collected for the Appaloosa specialty license plate be directed to the Appaloosa Horse Club. However, The Club is no longer located within the State of Idaho and has since moved to Oklahoma City. However, the Appaloosa Museum and heritage center foundation remains and continues to operate in Moscow. This bill does three (3) things. It will: • change the name of the recipient of any funds collected from this specialty plate to the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center Foundation located at 2720 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, Idaho 83843; • change the purpose of the funding to be used “…exclusively for the purpose of funding education and programming related to horses in the state of Idaho; and • allow vehicles with a registered maximum gross weight up to twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds to also purchase this specialty plate. The reason for this change is that many pickups and trailers hauling horses weigh more than the old weight limit of sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds.

Relates to the funding of the Idaho Transportation Department for fiscal year 2027.

RS33769 / S1426 This appropriation to the Idaho Transportation Department provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget. This bill includes funding for deferred maintenance projects, tree removal, new equipment, airfield improvements, aeronautics facilities maintenance, a budget neutral program transfer for health benefits costs, additional operations and maintenance, provides appropriation for Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition for available projected revenue, replacement items, and OITS hardware. This bill provides for reappropriation for the Aeronautics Program, the Capital Facilities Program and the Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition Program. Lastly it makes an adjustment to financial statements and corrects the fund source for expenditures in FY 2020, 2021 and 2022.

States findings of the Legislature and supports wildlife crossings.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution codifies the need for the Idaho Legislature, Idaho's Congressional delegation, Idaho's Governor and the Directors of the Idaho department of Fish and Game and Idaho Transportation Department to recognize and support the development and implementation of wildlife crossings as a means of improving public safety and the conversation of big game migration corridors.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions and requirements regarding collection of DNA samples and thumbprint impressions.

This legislation adds two misdemeanors of sexual battery and domestic violence to the list of crimes for which collection of a DNA sample and thumbprint impression are required. The misdemeanors added can be indicative of a tendency to more serious conduct, including: (a) crimes which may be precursors to more violent activities; (b) crimes that may have been originally charged as felonies, but were pleaded down to misdemeanor; or (c) crimes that evidence an unwillingness to comply with existing legal constraints. Second, the legislation seeks to clarify the roles and responsibilities of offenders and government officials in the process of collecting DNA samples and thumbprint impressions. At the time of sentencing, judges will order sentenced offenders to submit to collection and order certain government officials to cause the samples to be collected within a time certain. It also sets specific time frames and responsibilities for collection from other offenders who are already sentenced or entering the state pursuant to an interstate compact for supervision.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding the Idaho Honey Commission.

This legislation transfers regulatory duties from the Honey Commission to the Idaho Department of Agriculture. This is more uniformly aligned with duties between other agricultural commissions and the Department. It also cleans up some outdated or unnecessary code language.

Amends existing law to provide that the Attorney General shall have certain authority.

This legislation allows law enforcement to submit their investigative findings of human trafficking to the office of the attorney general, who may, in his sole discretion, prosecute any crimes identified in the investigation. As human trafficking crimes are often highly complex and intercounty and interstate in activity, the attorney general’s office may be best able to investigate and prosecute said cases, in certain situations.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding irrigation district directors.

For many irrigation districts, finding qualified and willing landowners to serve on the board is increasingly challenging. This legislation will amend board qualifications for irrigation districts under 15,000 acres, by allowing landowners to serve on a board as long as they own land in the division being represented and live in the same or adjoining county as the district. Such a change must be adopted by a 2/3 vote of the board of directors.

States findings of the Legislature and supports expansion of research and development at the Idaho National Laboratory.

This resolution promotes the continued development of advanced nuclear technologies and fuel reprocessing in Idaho in order to strengthen the state’s role as a national leader in nuclear innovation. It supports collaboration among state agencies, Idaho National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy, private industry, and academic institutions to advance pilot-scale projects that create high-paying science and engineering jobs while upholding rigorous safety standards. The purpose is to encourage responsible expansion of nuclear fuel cycle capabilities that align with federal law and existing agreements, enhance economic opportunity, and reinforce Idaho’s strategic contributions to the nation’s energy future.

Amends and repeals existing law to remove outdated or unnecessary provisions.

To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the DOGE Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. This bill repeals or updates six sections of Idaho Code in Chapter 42, Title 67, that pertains to outdoor recreation enhancement and the park and recreation fund. This program has not been funded or active since its inception in 1995.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the residence qualifications for fire protection district commissioners.

This proposed legislation adds language to require that an individual appointed or elected in a fire protection sub-district to be an elector residing in the fire district for 90 consecutive days before appointment or election.

Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding ignition interlock systems.

This legislation amends Idaho Code § 18-8008, to require ignition interlock installation companies to provide proof of installation to the Idaho Transportation Department upon installing an ignition interlock system. It will also require such companies to notify prosecuting authorities whenever an ignition interlock system prevents a person from starting a vehicle.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding a duty of the Attorney General.

The current provisions of Idaho Code provide that the Idaho Attorney General has common law powers as the attorney for the State. This legislation makes it clear statutorily that the Attorney General's office has the ability to pursue a declatory action or seek injunctive relief through the courts to civilly enforce the provisions of Idaho Code.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding miscellaneous insurer investments.

The purpose of this legislation is to update, clarify, and simplify one of the investment provisions in the insurance code. Idaho Code Section 41-735 allows insurance companies to invest funds in investments not otherwise specifically made eligible for investment in the insurance code and sets limits on the allowable percentage of those investments. This bill would maintain Idaho's miscellaneous investment allowance at 10 percent of an insurer’s assets and remove the “lesser of” alternative limit of 75% of surplus excluding surplus notes.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33787 / S1429 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Divisions of Mental Health Services, Psychiatric Hospitalization, and Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include a budget-neutral fund adjustment for Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention (enhancement #24), a budget reduction to move appropriation to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections for clinical staff (enhancement #7), the partial restoration of ongoing program funding that was made onetime in FY 2026 as well as appropriations for Idaho Behavioral Health Plan grant increases (enhancement #9), a partial, onetime restoration of ongoing budget rescissions for Mental Health Services (enhancement #30), a benefit cost fund shift for State Hospital South (enhancement #8), a fund adjustment for State Hospital North and South to account for the way that revenue is received through the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan (enhancement #23), replacement items (enhancement #58), a fund adjustment to shift General Fund burden to the State Hospital endowment funds (enhancement #59), and a Governor initiative to shift General Fund burden to the State-Directed Opioid Settlement for the Allumbaugh House. The bill includes transfer limitation exemption language and reporting language.

Relates to the maintenance appropriation to Economic Development for fiscal year 2027.

This is the FY 2027 Maintenance Appropriation for Economic Development. This bill includes appropriations to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, the Department of Finance, the Idaho Industrial Commission, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Labor, the Public Utilities Commission, the Self-Governing Agencies, and the Idaho Transportation Department. The appropriation includes standard adjustments for personnel benefit costs, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, and a General Fund base reduction of up to 9%.

Relates to the appropriation to the Idaho State Police for fiscal year 2027.

RS33703 / S1409 This appropriation to the Idaho State Police provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that includes a Commercial Vehicle Safety Grant, Mobile Livescan Program, and replacement items, which include patrol vehicles and associated upfitting expenses, other law enforcement vehicles, ballistic vests, computer equipment, training building jail cell door replacement, desk chairs, and video cameras.

Amends existing law to provide for cancellation or discharge of an encumbrance by an Idaho vehicle dealer and to allow electronic motor vehicle records as evidence of ownership.

This legislation updates Idaho’s vehicle titling statutes to modernize title processing and improve efficiency in lien administration. The bill authorizes the Idaho Transportation Department to accept and treat electronically submitted documents as equivalent to original paper records. The bill also clarifies procedures for lien cancellation and discharge, including requirements for lienholders holding electronic titles to transmit electronic transactions directing issuance of a clear paper title. In addition, the bill establishes expedited timelines for Idaho-licensed vehicle dealers to receive lien releases upon payment with verified funds. These changes are intended to reduce paperwork, improve turnaround times for title issuance and lien releases, enhance customer service for vehicle owners and dealers, and support continued modernization of Idaho’s motor vehicle records system.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the allocation of certain tax revenue.

This legislation amends Idaho Code to revise provisions related to the distribution of wind and geothermal energy tax revenues in local taxing districts. Current law ties portions of the distribution formula to the existence of supplemental levies, which has created an incentive for school districts to consider passing supplemental levies on property tax payers in order to receive a share of these tax revenues. This bill updates the calculation method so that, if a school district does not impose a supplemental levy, the county levy rate will be used solely for purposes of distributing wind and geothermal energy tax revenue. This change removes the incentive to adopt supplemental levies for distribution purposes and ensures the distribution formula does not encourage additional property tax levies. This legislation does not affect solar energy tax provisions.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding controlled substances.

This legislation updates the Idaho Controlled Substances Act to align with recent federal scheduling actions taken by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and corrects spelling, numbering, and other drafting errors that have been perpetuated through prior versions of the Act. It updates Article II by adding illicit substances with no approved medical use to Schedule I, incorporating newly scheduled and other federally controlled substances into Schedules II, III, and IV, and removing outdated or duplicative entries, including unnecessary and cumbersome chemical formulas. In addition to updating the schedules, the bill amends Article III by revising requirements for controlled substance registrations and access to the prescription drug monitoring program. It also includes technical cleanup revisions to simplify statutory language, eliminate redundancy, and ensure the Act remains accurate, legally consistent, and responsive to evolving public health and law enforcement priorities. These updates provide greater clarity and utility for law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare providers, and regulatory agencies responsible for the lawful handling, prescribing, and enforcement of controlled substances in the state.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding certain out-of-pocket payments for health care services.

RS33754 / H0929 This bill amends Idaho Code to add section 41-1854, prohibiting health carriers from preventing providers from offering discounted cash prices to insured individuals for health care services. It allows covered people to pay out-of-pocket at negotiated rates lower than the plan's average allowed amount, with such payments counting toward deductibles and annual out-of-pocket maximums upon submission of required documentation. Providers must accept cash payments as full settlement. Exemptions apply to specified plans like dental-only, Medicaid, and short-term insurance. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends and repeals existing law to provide for the consolidation of the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council.

This legislation consolidates the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Idaho Workforce Development Council, integrating its functions, programs and staff to enhance the Council’s existing purpose. This consolidation will streamline operations, reduce administrative overlap, and more closely align STEM education and outreach with Idaho’s workforce development strategies.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law regarding the procurement of property by the State of Idaho.

RS33650 / H0889 This legislation clarifies the state procurement processes for purchases made under the Idaho State Procurement Act and through the Division of Purchasing. Changes include: 1) Definitions for “best and final offer,” “frivolous protest,” “multiple award,” “request for information,” “request for proposal,” and “request for quote;” 2) Establishes that the administrator shall set a date and time for best and final offers, including a provision that treats the immediate offer as best and final; 3) Requires the administrator to work with subject matter experts in the requesting agency to ensure contractual terms meet functional and operational requirements; 4) Allows for a multiple-award contract; 5) Establishes that the bid analysis or scoring must be published with the notice of solicitation and only changed with a formal solicitation amendment or best and final offer process, so long as it doesn’t materially change the intent or purpose of the original solicitation; 6) Prior performance on state contracts may now be used to determine a bid’s qualification; 7) Any contracts requiring federal funding must be finalized between the state and the vendor prior to submission for approval to avoid unnecessary delays; 8) Technical information provided by vendors remains confidential unless the vendor participates in the relevant solicitation; 9) The addition of a vendor debarment process, which may prevent a vendor from bidding on state projects or services for up to three years; 10) Employment “cooling off” period for elected officials and individuals who worked for the state prior to working with vendors; 11) The addition of a protest bond for vendors who pursue a protest of a bid award; and 12) Vendors, employees of vendors, or any person working on their behalf must report financial expenditures over $50 related to procurement.

Amends existing law to authorize liquor licensure for a distillery in certain instances.

The purpose of this legislation is to authorize a distillery the ability to sell liquor by the drink explicitly from the brands that it owns.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding gold and silver coin and specie.

This legislation declares gold and silver coin shall be legal tender in the State of Idaho. No person or entity may compel another person or entity to tender or accept gold or silver coin unless agreed upon both parties.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho Direct to Consumer Commerce Act.

This legislation reduces government regulation concerning the sale of homemade food and non-alcoholic drink products direct to consumers within the state of Idaho. It also reduces regulation by expanding the state custom meat exemption to be any portion size other than wholes, halves, or quarters. The provisions of this legislation apply to small scale individuals and businesses and not larger scale commercial food manufacturing and those involved in interstate commerce. The legislation provides reasonable basic requirements and consumer disclosures to ensure safety while promoting transparency, consumer choice, and access to locally produced food.