Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to establish the Emergency Care Affordability Act.

This legislation establishes the Freestanding Emergency Room and Emergency Care Affordability Act to improve transparency, promote affordability and create clear, predictable standards governing billing and reimbursement for emergency medical services provided by out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms. Federal law established baseline consumer protections for emergency services; however, gaps remain with respect to billing practices at out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms. This legislation addresses those gaps by limiting balance billing, requiring application of in-network cost-sharing, and establishing payment standards based on in-network allowed amounts for comparable emergency services.. The bill requires a freestanding emergency room disclose to patients if it does not participate in Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, ensuring seniors, veterans, and other covered persons enrolled in the public health care programs receive timely notice of potential financial responsibility. These disclosure requirements are intended to prevent covered persons from receiving full, undisclosed charges for emergency services solely due to a facility's non-participation in a particular Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE. The legislation voids unenforceable billing agreements, establishes protections against excessive billing, and provides remedies for violations. The bill allows voluntary participation by self-funded health plans and authorizes limited oversight by the Department of Insurance.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding applicability and choice of law, to remove provisions regarding applicability and choice of law, to remove provisions regarding priority among security interests and entitlement holders, and to remove a provision regarding security interests.

By the late 1990’s physical stock certificates were being phased out and were replaced with electronic book-entry records. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) codified how these entries were to be treated as far as ownership and security interests were concerned. In 1994, the UCC subrogated the ownership of these security interests to other entities in certain circumstances, defining the original owner as an “entitlement holder” and substituting “control” as the definitive power to liquidate the assets during time of financial distress. It is the intent of this legislation to return the control of these types of assets to the owner thereof.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding regulation of twin homes and duplexes.

Home ownership is growing increasingly out of reach for many residents due to inflation, artificial scarcity, and other economic factors. In order to decrease red tape and allow the market to further align development incentives with real demand, this legislation legalizes twin homes and duplexes on residential lots where single-family homes are already permitted. It prohibits local ordinances that ban or effectively block these forms of housing and requires clear, objective approval standards.

States findings of the Legislature and calls on the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges and restore the natural definition of marriage, a union of one man and one woman.

This memorial expresses the Idaho Legislature's commitment to restoring the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider the Obergefell v. Hodges decision and return authority over marriage laws to the states and their citizens.

States findings of the Legislature, provides support for treasury trust bonds, and urges Congress to enact enabling legislation authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue treasury trust bonds.

Beginning in 1609, at what became Jamestown Virginia, precious metals were used as money in America. At the time of the Declaration of Independence, the most popular coin in the American Colonies was the Spanish Milled Dollar, which contained 371.25 grains of silver. During the colonial era, we adopted the Spanish Milled Dollar as our own, and when the new United States of America minted its first coins, these coins included a silver dollar that mimicked the Spanish Milled Dollar as the base unit for our coinage. Our reliance on precious metals backed money helped America become a leader among nations in almost all fields. However, beginning in 1933, and again in 1965 and finally in 1971, Congress incrementally severed the connection between our sound money based on a pure metallic standard to the point where our money supply is now fiat only and not anchored to anything with inherent value. Today we are burdened by a $38 trillion fiat money debt. This memorial calls on Congress, The Treasury Department, and the President of the United States to issue a tranche of 50 year Treasury Bonds backed by gold and redeemable in gold at their maturity. This memorial also calls for these 50 year gold backed Treasury Bonds to be issued on July 4, 2026, and redeemable on July 4, 2076, the 300th year anniversary of the United States of America.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding compliance with the law.

RS33723 / H0896 Some of Idaho laws governing the actions public officials, public employees, and state and local governmental entities include an enforcement mechanism for ensuring that Idaho laws are followed. Many such laws, however, do not include any specific enforcement mechanism. In the event that public officials’ oath of office, whereby they promise to uphold the laws of the State of Idaho, is insufficient to ensure that Idaho’s laws are followed, this legislation provides a mechanism by which the Idaho Attorney General can go to court and force a public official, public employee, or state or local governmental entity to follow the law.

Amends existing law to require drivers to drive in the right-hand lane on multilane highways unless passing and to provide penalties for driving in the left-hand lane of a controlled access highway and impeding the flow of traffic.

This proposed legislation amends Section 49-630, requiring vehicles to be driven on the right-hand side of multilane highways with the exception of certain circumstances. This will promote highway safety and traffic flow. Section 49-655 is also amended to provide for a penalty for impeding traffic.

Amends existing law to provide for the Legislative Services Office to conduct revenue analysis.

RS32935 / H0948 This legislation directs the legislative services office to make an annual revenue estimate as part of the budgeting process. It allows them to seek input from outside organizations as part of the development of the estimate.

States findings of the Legislature, declares that the community school strategy is a proven approach to student success and stronger communities, and encourages continued collaboration among schools, families, and community partners to expand and sustain community school efforts in Idaho.

RS33670 / SCR126 This concurrent resolution recognizes the Community School Strategy as a locally driven approach to strengthening student success and supporting families across Idaho. Community schools function as neighborhood hubs that bring together educators, families, nonprofits, and local organizations to address barriers to learning and improve student outcomes. Through integrated student supports, expanded learning opportunities, family engagement, and collaborative leadership, the community school model helps ensure that students are healthy, supported, and prepared to succeed in school and in life. The resolution acknowledges the work already underway across Idaho, where more than sixty schools in multiple districts are implementing community school strategies through partnerships with educators, community organizations, and families. By highlighting this collaborative framework, the Legislature encourages continued local partnerships and community-based solutions that reflect Idaho’s values, strengthen families, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of the state.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding cooperative and group discount purchasing.

RS33798 / S1436 This legislation clarifies that shared contracts or contracts resulting from group discount purchasing and cooperative purchasing agreements were originally intended by the legislature to include, as needed, state-specific modifications to the underlying contract. This legislation is necessary to avoid confusion and clarify legislative intent regarding state-specific modifications.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the career ladder for superintendents and building-level administrators.

This legislation ensures that superintendents and administrators are placed fairly on Idaho's career ladder if they return to instructional or pupil service roles. It recognizes that leadership experience in our schools is valuable and should not result in a loss of compensation or career standing. Under this provision, administrators who return to the classroom and have earned proficient or higher ratings in three of the past five years, including the most recent year, may count their years of administrative service toward advancement on the career ladder. In short, this bill recognizes relevant experience and strong performance, while helping districts recruit and retain high-quality leaders without penalizing educators for stepping into or out of administrative service.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding programmable money.

This legislation defines and regulates the use of “programmable money” in Idaho by excluding it from existing definitions of money under the Uniform Commercial Code and establishing a new framework to protect consumer payment rights. The bill limits the ability of issuers to control, restrict, or deny transactions based on lawful personal characteristics or activities, prohibits the use of social credit scoring through programmable money, and requires transparency when transactions are denied. It also provides civil remedies, attorney’s fees, and criminal penalties to ensure enforcement while preserving the lawful use of digital assets and alternative forms of payment.

Amends existing law to provide for certain ineligibility for reappointment to the same position following express Senate rejection.

This legislation strengthens legislative oversight of gubernatorial appointments by establishing clear timelines and consequences for the appointment process. When the senate expressly rejects a gubernatorial appointee, that person becomes ineligible for reappointment to the same position for one year. The bill also requires the governor to fill vacancies subject to senate confirmation within 90 days of a term ending or a position becoming vacant, whichever comes sooner. Additionally, it updates Idaho Code to ensure holdover provisions align with the new appointment timeline requirements. Together these changes close gaps that have allowed vacancies to remain unfilled indefinitely and prevented the legislature from exercising meaningful checks on the executive appointment power.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for penalties, enforcement requirements, and affirmative defenses regarding child custody interference.

This legislation would strengthen and clarify child custody interference law by describing what conduct qualifies as interference, and refining and expanding affirmative defenses. The language gives law enforcement clearer direction when responding to complaints, including verifying the child’s location, conducting a welfare check, and completing a written report. It also creates a graduated penalty structure that escalates from infractions to eventually felonies, while allowing courts to assess reasonable recovery expenses and clarifying that make-up visitation is governed under existing family law provisions.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding law enforcement entering into a memorandum of agreement.

This legislation creates the Idaho E-verify Act, requiring all public agencies, at state and local levels of government, to implement use of the federal e-verify program for the hiring of new employees. Private employers that do business with state and local government, if they have 150 or more employees and contracts valued at $100,000 or more, would also have to use the federal e-verify program for hiring of their new employees. Enforcement mechanisms are included to create incentives for compliance.

Amends existing law to allow development impact fees to be used for certain costs associated with certain fire apparatus replacement.

This legislation addresses a current problem for Idaho Special Districts. This problem occurs when these special districts, with elected Board members, decide to adopt a development impact fee ordinance. This legislation allows the use of these funds for 50% of fire apparatus replacement costs as long as such replacement is identified in an adopted capital improvement plan.

Amends existing law regarding snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles.

RS33591 / S1378 This legislation revises the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) law enforcement program by adopting a results-oriented approach that funds county OHV enforcement programs based on performance metrics similar to the marine law enforcement program. This legislation also provides for consistency of use of dedicated funds among the Off-Road Motor Vehicle (ORMV) fund and the OHV recreation account. This legislation then provides for reversion of certain dedicated funds that are unused after three (3) years to be returned to the snowmobile or OHV accounts for general operations. Finally, this legislation modernizes the composition of the OHV Advisory Committee to require representation of Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) users.

Amends existing law to provide for the licensure of certain persons who have served as a chaplain in any branch of the United States military.

This legislation will allow military chaplains to work as licensed counselors in the state of Idaho. Chaplains are required by the U.S. Department of War to obtain a Master of Divinity degree with a 72-credit minimum. This equates to 20% more credits than the typical master's in counseling. This degree covers religious and counseling education. In addition to this degree, chaplains attend a 12-13 week (depending on the branch of military) Chaplains Officer Leadership Course where their counseling education continues. A certified military Chaplain's initial certification's required hours exceed that of a potential counselor seeking to work in this field as a civilian.

States findings of the Legislature, declares that the existing public school funding formula requires review and modernization, and requests that the Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction present draft legislation to the Legislature.

In this resolution, the Legislature declares that the existing funding formula requires review and modernization to reflect current student needs. This effort will be founded on the funding formula work from the past decade. The Legislature requests that the Superintendent of Public Instruction develop proposed funding formula legislation, along with corresponding financial analyses for each district and public charter school, for consideration during the 2027 legislative session. The Superintendent will report progress at the JFAC fall meeting to the budget committee and both education committees. The resolution also outlines the principles for a revised school funding formula, including Idaho’s constitutional duty, accountability, predictability, stability, transparency, and student needs.

Amends existing law to provide for the expiration of temporary rules.

This legislation makes minor changes to Idaho Code Sections 67-5226 and 67-5291 of the Idaho Administrative Procedure Act. It provides clarity, continuity, and consistency regarding the expiration of certain temporary rules. Specifically, this legislation specifies that when a temporary rule is not approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature the temporary rule shall expire by its own terms or on June 30 of the year following the temporary rule’s adoption. Currently, such temporary rules expire either by their own terms or upon adjournment sine die of the legislature, which has caused issues because pending rules approved by concurrent resolution do not become final rules and effective until July 1. Thus, current law creates a time gap between when temporary rules expire, and pending rules become final rules. This legislation would eliminate that gap.

Amends existing law to provide for shooting of coyotes, wolves, and red foxes from aircraft.

This legislation would amend 22-102A, Idaho Code, which provides for the permitting of the use of aircraft in controlling unprotected or predatory animals. The amendments will account for the movement of current administrative rule language into the statute because it is beneficial to have all related requirements related to this matter in a single location in Idaho Code.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the Project Choice program fee.

RS33676 / S1379 This proposal makes changes to Idaho Code 49-454 - PROJECT CHOICE and IC 67-2914 - Idaho Law Enforcement Fund Established. The Idaho State Police (ISP) has had difficulty recruiting and retaining commissioned peace officers, and one of the cited concerns for our troopers leaving has been pay. Almost 20 years ago, the legislature created the PROJECT CHOICE program fee of $3.00 on vehicle registration in Idaho Code 49-454. These funds are deposited into the Idaho Law Enforcement Fund, as outlined in Idaho Code Section 67-2914. It is proposed that the project choice program fee in IC 49-454 be increased from $3.00 to $8.00, allowing the ISP to fund adjustments to commissioned personnel salaries to remain competitive with law enforcement agencies that offer higher pay and attract/take our troopers. The PROJECT CHOICE FEE was created to assist ISP in recruiting and retaining staff.

States findings of the Legislature and supports curtailment of the pelican population.

RS33647 / SJM115 This joint memorial urges the United State Fish and Wildlife Service to curtail or allow curtailment of the number of pelicans within the State of Idaho. Pelicans were added to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1913. Consequently, there has been remarkable success in their population growth, to the extent of overpopulation. This is negatively affecting Idaho’s abundant wetland refuge eco-system and the health of Idaho’s fish population. In particular, pelicans are detrimental to Idaho’s fish population in the Henry’s Fork River that flows through Harriman State Park, as well as other waterways in the State of Idaho. This increase in our pelican population has adversely affected the success of fishermen throughout the State and the nation.

Amends existing law to provide for Lewis-Clark State University.

This legislation changes Lewis-Clark State College’s name to Lewis-Clark State University throughout Idaho Code. The Idaho State Board of Education approved this legislation to move forward on April 16, 2025, because it will more accurately reflect the full range of degree programs offered (associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees) at the institution. This change will facilitate student recruitment, retention, and two-year to four-year transfer pathways, all of which are critical to supporting Idaho’s workforce needs.