Idaho Bills

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.

Repeals existing law to remove obsolete 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 eight sections Chapter 26, Title 33, Idaho Code that pertain to the regional library systems as these systems have not existed for more than 40 years.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding illegal entry, to remove provisions regarding illegal entry, and to provide for certain affirmative defenses.

This legislation provides clarity to certain provisions of the illegal entry statutes. It clarifies definitions and the application of federal immigration law and notes that the statute applies to those 18 years of age and older.

Adds to existing law to establish limitations on consumptive use of water for cooling certain data centers.

RS33716 / H0895 Data centers have a great need for cooling in order for their equipment to run efficiently. Depending on the design, this can result in tremendous consumption of water. As a largely high-desert state, Idaho’s water resources are both limited and critical for many uses, including agriculture. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that the cooling function of data centers built in the future is either designed for the non-consumptive use of water, or uses water for such purposes from a municipal, water district, or water and sewer district system. This will help ensure that Idaho’s limited water rights resources will continue to be available for existing uses, such as agriculture and industry.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the transportation support program.

This bill clarifies that any charter school which begins a full student transportation program after 2010 will have its transportation funding calculated based on its first year of full transportation operations, ensuring accurate reimbursement.

Repeals and adds to existing law to provide for the crime of illegal voting, to provide for the crime of interference with an election, and to provide for the crime of tampering with voting machines or vote tally systems.

This legislation relates to elections. Repealing Section 18-2306, Idaho Code, relating to illegal voting, Interference with an election, and tampering with voting machines or vote tally systems. Making it a felony to do so. Amending Chapter 23 Title 18 Idaho Code by adding a new section 18-2306, Idaho Code, to provide for the crime of illegal voting and making it a felony; Amending Chapter 23, Title 18 by the addition of a new section 18 -2306A, Idaho Code, to provide for the crime of interference with an election; Amending Chapter 23-2306B, Idaho Code, to provide for the crime of tampering with voting machines or vote tally systems, making it a felony and declaring an emergency and providing an effective date.

Amends existing law to revise a definition regarding which governmental entities are authorized to adopt development impact fees.

This legislation addresses a current problem for Idaho Fire and Ambulance Service Districts. This problem occurs when these special districts, with elected Board members, decide to adopt a development impact fee ordinance. This legislation adds these districts to the list of other entities empowered to do so (cities, counties, single county-wide highway districts).

Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Veterans Services for fiscal year 2027.

RS33549 / S1383 This appropriation to the Division of Veterans Services provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include new equipment for veterans homes, an adjustment for IT licensing fees, replacement items, and IT hardware.

Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for fiscal year 2027.

RS33733 / S1407 This appropriation to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include funding to replace vehicles and IT hardware. Enhancement 1 provides for the replacement of nine vehicles for inspectors in the Bureau of Building Construction and Real Estate, and enhancement 2 provides network equipment and laptops across bureaus as recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services.

Relates to the appropriation to the State Tax Commission for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33642 / H0871 This appropriation to the State Tax Commission provides enhancements to the FY 2027 budget that includes appropriation for property tax education, system automation for Gentax, personnel costs from dedicated funds for the chief operating officer, FAST tax collection services, seasonal tax employees, replacement items, and IT hardware. Additionally, this bill provides supplemental funding for the FY 2026 budget for federal tax conformity implementation.

Amends existing law to provide for the transmission of certain tax-related documents through secure electronic communication.

In alignment with Executive Order No. 2025-05 the Idaho State Tax Commission has identified an opportunity to reduce costs through utilizing secured electronic communication as an option for taxpayer communication. This legislation provides a definition for “Secure Electronic Communication” and incorporates it into Title 63 as it relates to mail and communication as an option for the Tax Commission to more efficiently administer its statutory requirements. A taxpayer recipient must elect (opt-in) to receive secure electronic communications.

Amends existing law to provide for negligent violations.

This legislation specifies that industrial hemp producers that are growing for fiber or grain may grow under the same regulatory limits as the federal regulations that govern industrial hemp production.

Adds to existing law to provide for department oversight for residential care facilities, licensing requirements, facility documentation requirements, and the youth bill of rights.

This legislation amends Chapter 12, Title 39, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Section 39-1210A to establish provisions regarding the department’s quality of care oversight including inspection and interview requirements for children in residential care. This bill further amends Chapter 12, Title 39 of Idaho Code by adding Section 39-1210B to establish provisions regarding individualized service planning and documentation requirements for residential care facilities. This bill also amends Chapter 12, Title 39 by adding a new Section 39-1225 to establish provisions of a youth bill of rights in licensed children’s residential facilities and establishing a new Section 39-1226 to establish provisions regarding critical incident reporting.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for alternative authorization for administrators and to authorize the use of funds for related mentoring.

This legislation creates an Alternative Authorization Program for prospective school principals and superintendents that do not otherwise hold an administrator certificate. This legislation creates two pathways for candidates to become school principals and superintendents— a “grow your own” pathway and a “executive leadership pathway. The “grow your own” pathway is for experienced Idaho educators to develop leadership skills. The “executive leadership” pathway is for experienced professionals from other industries— including military officers, private sector executives, nonprofit leaders, and government officials— to gain preparation in school system operations. To ensure quality and accountability, applicants must be sponsored by a public school district, must meet specific preliminary requirements, and must complete an embedded mentorship program, which will focus on operational duties of an administrator. This bill is being introduced to help Idaho school districts that are struggling to find qualified administrators, particularly in rural areas. Many districts face increasing difficulty in recruiting school principals and superintendents, leaving critical leadership gaps that impact student growth and achievement.

Adds to existing law to prohibit a person from entering a restroom or changing room of the opposite sex, to provide a penalty, and to provide exceptions.

This bill adds Section 18-4117 to Title 18, Idaho Code, making it a misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and willfully enters a rest room, changing room, locker room, or shower room in a government-owned building or place of public accommodation designated for the oppose biological sex. A second or subsequent conviction within five years is a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison. Defined as a facility where undress occurs in the presence of others, the prohibition includes exceptions for custodial/maintenance, medical/law enforcement assistance, emergencies, single-user facilities (when no same-sex option exists), temporary re-designations, athletic coaching, and accompaniment of family, guardians, or designees in need (provided the designee is not of the designated sex.

Relates to the appropriation to the State Liquor Division for fiscal year 2027.

RS33757 / H0924 This appropriation provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget for the State Liquor Division. This increase provides for three enhancement requests. The first is a general inflation adjustment for utilities, computer services, and supplies at retail stores. The second is for replacement items including funding to replace obsolete security systems at 10 stores, security panels at 2 stores, and point of sale battery backups at 40 stores; funding to replace broken signage at 4 stores and aging shelving at 21 stores; service and safety repairs on flooring, lighting, walls, window wraps, and coolers at multiple stores; funding to replace fencing, parking lot repairs/resurfacing, warehouse rack supports, and motorized equipment used daily in its transport orders; and to replace one fleet vehicle with modifications to secure cargo. The third enhancement is for IT and security equipment recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services including 56 computers and laptops; 24 end-of-life access points; 10 end-of-life antennas; and 73 end-of-life switches.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the use of epinephrine in schools.

This legislation updates and clarifies Idaho law governing epinephrine auto-injector delivery systems in schools to ensure consistent terminology and improved emergency response authority. The bill modernizes statutory language, expands clarity around who may provide or administer epinephrine during life-threatening allergic reactions, and reinforces the ability of schools to maintain and utilize stock epinephrine for emergency use. These changes are intended to reduce ambiguity, support timely medical intervention during anaphylactic emergencies, and enhance student safety without imposing new mandates or costs on schools.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding a fee for service.

This legislation is a one word correction to Idaho Code 6-310A, which became law in 2025. The word change is on page 2, line 11, changing the word “possession” to “restitution.”