Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to provide that verification of lawful presence is not required to apply for or receive crime victims compensation.

This legislation clarifies that the verification of lawful presence does not apply to applications for crime victims compensation, including the collection of evidence during sexual assault forensic examinations. The crime victims compensation program encourages victims to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement, thereby supporting public safety. By restoring this well-established process, the legislation ensures that crime victims receive the essential services and compensation needed for healing and continued cooperation with law enforcement.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding immunity of persons giving first aid from damage claims.

This legislation amends section 5-330 Idaho code to add mental health and suicide emergency first aid to the current code for immunity from damage claims.

Amends existing law to eliminate the nondomiciled CDL program in Idaho.

This legislation will protect the State of Idaho from issuing commercial drivers licenses to individuals coming from foreign countries or other states with learner's permits. The learner's permits will not be honored. Idaho's CDL's will be issued to those who finish the entire process in Idaho.

Adds to existing law to require Idaho public schools to establish policies providing for a daily moment of silence.

This legislation requires public school classrooms provide a moment of silence for students for a minimum of sixty seconds, at or near the beginning of each school day, to reflect, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity. It is the student’s choice, so long as they do not interfere with another student’s moment of silence. Public schools are prohibited from providing instruction regarding the nature of the moment of silence, other than as provided in this section.

Amends existing law to provide that the commission be established in the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

The purpose of this legislation is to establish the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This consolidation is expected to maximize government efficiencies and deliver improved services to the citizens of Idaho because it will streamline administrative functions, consolidate overlapping responsibilities, and reduce redundant expenditures.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the elimination of vehicle registration stickers.

The purpose of this legislation is to remove the requirement that vehicles display a registration sticker when registration is required. It clarifies that a valid license plate and vehicle registration are sufficient for a vehicle to be lawfully operated on Idaho roadways.

Amends existing law to allow prospective jurors in certain circumstances to volunteer as poll workers in lieu of serving on a jury.

This proposed legislation amends Sections 2-211, 2-212, and 34-303, to allow registered voters the option of serving as a poll worker in lieu of jury duty. The proposed legislation would allow county clerks to request from the jury commission prospective jurors excused from service to serve as poll workers in an upcoming election.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

The legislation aims to provide law enforcement increased latitude needed to protect Idaho youth on the internet. Predators use the internet to entice minors to perform unwholesome behaviors. The current law only specifies penalties for perpetrators who prey on children under the age of 16. This legislation extends the definition of “child” to include minors that are 16 or 17 years of age. However, this legislation builds in protection against “Romeo-Juliet” scenarios where the initiator is less than 5 years older than the victim. This is consistent with other Idaho Code. 18-1508A makes it a felony "for any person at least (5) years of age older than a minor child who is sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age" to sexually batter such minor child. Similarly, statutory rape applies for 16- and 17-year-old victims only where "the perpetrator is three (3) years or more older than the victim." Idaho Code 18-6101(2). The majority of victims for this kind of crime are 13 to 17 years of age. This legislation allows law enforcement to protect more victims in that age range. This legislation not only expands the age range for victims, in so doing it provides greater protection against exploiting youth (Idaho Code 18-1507).

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Parks and Recreation for fiscal years 2027 and 2026.

RS33774 / S1417 This appropriation to the Department of Parks and Recreation provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that includes personnel to convert two part-time positions to full-time administrative support positions; 2.00 FTP and funding for positions at a new park near Salmon and related operating expenditures; trail maintenance staff and equipment; a new excavator for trail maintenance; a federal land and water community grant that will be passed through to city grant recipients; staff housing at Lake Cascade State Park; interpretive displays at Billingsley Creek Campground; construction of a roundabout at Farragut State Park; funding to improve and add additional RV campsites statewide; replacement items; and IT hardware replacement. This bill also includes an exemption for FY 2026 from program transfers to allow a technical adjustment to allow for the accurate accounting of grant funds that were awarded in FY 2025, but distributed in FY 2026 via Executive Carry Forward.

Amends existing law to provide that certain persons may provide instruction on Idaho law regarding firearms and the use of deadly force.

The purpose of this legislation is to amend Section 18-3302K, Idaho Code, relating to Idaho enhanced concealed carry licenses. The bill allows enhanced concealed carry training to be delivered in more adaptable instructional formats, including smaller group and one-on-one instruction, enabling instructors to tailor training to individual student needs. This legislation recognizes experienced, nationally certified firearms instructors with extensive enhanced concealed carry teaching backgrounds as individuals authorized to provide instruction on Idaho firearms law. It provides greater flexibility in the delivery of required training while maintaining Idaho’s high standards for public safety and legal compliance.

Adds to existing law to provide for a notice of safety-related rights for foster children.

This legislation establishes a Foster Child Safety provision in Idaho law to articulate safety-related rights for children placed in foster care under the supervision of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The bill affirms that children in foster care have rights to a safe and healthy placement environment, protection from abuse, timely medical assessments following abuse disclosures, access to basic necessities, court consideration of safety when determining visitation, and reasonable consideration of safety during placement transitions. The legislation also requires the Department to provide written notice of these rights to foster children and to post such notice in licensed foster homes. The bill clarifies that implementation occurs within existing juvenile court and departmental processes, creates no new private cause of action, and does not expand state authority beyond existing law. The legislation is intended to promote consistent recognition of safety protections for children in foster care while maintaining existing court and departmental authority.

Adds to existing law to provide for hunting as the state sport.

This legislation allows Idaho to join a growing trend across the country in declaring a state sport. Whereas Hunting is a bastion of the history and culture of Idaho, both as a source of sustenance and recreation, the state sport of Idaho shall be Hunting.