Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to provide for the State of Idaho to elect to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program.

This legislation amends Title 33 of the Idaho Code to formally elect the state’s participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program established under Section 70411 of P.L. 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill. By adding Section 33-144, the bill directs the State Department of Education to certify its authority to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and maintain an annual published list of qualified scholarship-granting organizations located within Idaho. These administrative actions ensure that the state remains compliant with federal requirements, allowing Idahoans to access these tax credits for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026 and for authorized State Granting Organizations to grant scholarships to Idaho students.

Adds to existing law to establish the Merit-Based Health Care Act.

RS33759 / H0928 The Merit-Based Health Care Act amends Title 56 of Idaho Code to require that Medicaid-funded employment and contracting decisions be based solely on merit, professional qualifications, and clinical competency. It prohibits discriminatory hiring and specified DEI practices—such as race- or sex-based preferences, mandatory bias training, and ideological pledges—while preserving exemptions for federal civil rights compliance, clinical data collection, and accredited medical training. Compliance is made a material condition of Medicaid participation, enforced by the Attorney General through civil penalties, with a limited private right of action for professionals facing retaliation.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding preemption of firearms regulation, to provide a penalty, and to provide for a cause of action.

RS33761 / S1430 This legislation provides for a civil penalty and permanent injunction for any Idaho county, city, agency, board or other political subdivision of the state willfully and knowingly violating state statutes regarding firearms, ammunition, or components. Provides for Attorney General thirty (30) day notification to the offending entity to cure the violation before court proceedings may proceed.

Amends existing law regarding the use of certain technologies.

RS33806 / H0939 This legislation regulates the use of thermal imaging, night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drones for hunting. It provides certain exemptions, including for predators and for agricultural purposes.

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

RS33811 / S1433 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Medicaid provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include appropriations for the continuation of the 5-year MMIS procurement process (enhancement #4), the Estate Recovery program (enhancement #5), the Medicaid Program Integrity Unit (enhancement #6), appropriation to support the addition of a new contract staff in the Department of Administration (enhancement #21), adjustments to the Hospital Assessment Fund (including aligning funds pursuant to House Bill 345 of 2025 and the creation of a new budgeted program to track supplemental payments in enhancement #22), and population forecast adjustments.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding requirements for harassment, intimidation, or bullying information and professional development.

Schools are safer and more conducive to learning when bullying incidents are firmly addressed. This proposed legislation would ensure that families whose students are involved in a serious bullying incident are notified so they can respond accordingly.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the delivery of water.

This legislation responds to the legislature’s code cleanup mandate by repealing Chapter 9, Title 42, and consolidating its provisions in Chapter 13, Title 42. Additional amendments are also included to ensure that necessary Chapter 9 provisions continue in effect.

Amends existing law to allow continuous appropriation of the rangeland improvement account.

H468, the Idaho Rangeland Improvement Act, was passed in the 2024 legislative session. While revenues are not derived from General Funds, we did not authorized continuous spending for any revenue source. This legislation clarifies that funding, regardless of the source, is continuously authorized so that projects can be prioritized and completed in a timely manner.

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

RS33731 / S1404 This appropriation provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget for the Department of Agriculture. Enhancements to the Department of Agriculture include IT hardware and replacement items such as vehicles and accessories, laboratory equipment, office furnishings, field equipment, and message boards to direct boaters to go through the inspection stations. This legislation also includes a FY 2026 deficiency warrant to reimburse actual expenditures incurred in FY 2025 for monitoring and control of exotic species including Japanese beetles, Mormon crickets, and other exotic pests. Chapters 19 and 20, Title 22, Idaho Code, authorizes the use of deficiency warrants for the monitoring and mitigation of invasive species and pests. The appropriation also includes an FY 2026 supplemental appropriation in onetime dedicated fund appropriation for expenses incurred to treat quagga mussels.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public charter school admission procedures.

This bill addresses priority in charter school lottery admissions. Children of founders and siblings remain the highest priorities; the bill clarifies that foster children living in the home are considered siblings for purposes of the lottery. Next, it adds that schools may include a preference for children of active-duty military members but allows the school to choose where it fits among the order of remaining lottery priorities.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding disturbing the peace.

This legislation clarifies Idaho Code 18-6409 that disturbing the peace includes persons who maliciously and willfully disturb any assemblage of people gathered for religious worship. Disturbing the Peace is classified as a misdemeanor.

Adds to existing law to establish the Portable Benefit Plan Act.

This legislation seeks to modernize Idaho’s labor market by establishing a framework for Voluntary Portable Benefits. Under current Idaho law, many independent contractors and self-employed individuals—representing a growing segment of the state's workforce—face significant barriers to accessing traditional benefits like health insurance and retirement savings because such offerings are typically tied to traditional employer-employee relationships. This bill provides a "safe harbor" to ensure that voluntary benefit contributions do not trigger worker reclassification, thereby allowing benefits to remain portable and tied to the worker rather than a single employer.

Amends existing law to eliminate proration of the homestead property tax exemption.

RS33557 / H0843 This legislation amends Section 63-602G, Idaho Code, relating to the homeowner’s property tax exemption. The bill removes provisions requiring the exemption to be prorated when the eligibility status of a property changes during the tax year. Under current law, when a property becomes eligible or ineligible for the homestead exemption during the year, the exemption amount may be prorated based on the number of days the property qualified for the exemption. This process has been inconsistently applied and has been difficult to administer in practice. This legislation provides that the full exemption amount shall apply as of January 1 of the tax year in which a complete application is submitted and approved and eliminates the requirement that the exemption be prorated. The bill maintains the existing requirement that applications must be submitted by the last business day of the year to receive the exemption for the current tax year. Applications received after the second Monday in July will continue to be granted as tax cancellations rather than adjustments to the property roll.

States findings of the Legislature and supports domestic production and supply of sugar beets.

The purpose of this legislation is to urge federal action to protect Idaho’s sugar beet industry from unfair foreign trade practices. Idaho is a leading sugar beet producer, supporting rural communities, farm families, and thousands of jobs. This memorial calls on Congress and the federal administration to raise the Tier 2 over-quota duty on imported sugar, which has not been updated since 2000 and no longer provides effective protection against subsidized foreign imports sold below the cost of production. Strengthening this safeguard will help restore fair trade and protect domestic producers and workers.

States findings of the Legislature and requests federal intervention to ensure proper application of FLPMA.

The Idaho Legislature calls on the United States Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) as the primary authority governing federal land management and land exchanges. A recent legal decision originating in Idaho threatens the predictability and stability of FLPMA's long-established framework, which is essential to effective land management in Idaho and throughout the West. This memorial calls on Congress to act expeditiously to reaffirm that FLPMA as the primary authority to manage federal public lands and prevent disruption to existing and future land exchanges.

States findings of the Legislature and urges the United States House of Representatives and Senate to take immediate federal action to restore clarity, consistency, and stability to intercollegiate athletics.

This Senate Joint Memorial formally urges the United States Congress and Idaho's congressional delegation to enact targeted federal legislation addressing the instability in collegiate athletics governance.This instability arises from recent litigation and changes related to athlete compensation, name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, revenue sharing, and transfers, which threaten the sustainability of college sports programs. The memorial highlights the economic, educational, cultural, and community benefits provided by Boise State University's athletic programs to the State of Idaho, including substantial economic impact, job creation, tourism, academic success for student-athletes, and national visibility, and calls for a uniform national framework that preempts conflicting state laws, defines student-athlete eligibility and employment status, preserves women's and Olympic sports, restores predictability for universities, and promotes fair competition based on merit rather than conference affiliation. The resolution also encourages timely federal action to prevent program cuts, escalating costs, and competitive disparities, thereby safeguarding taxpayer investments and the broader benefits of intercollegiate athletics for future generations.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the domestic use of water.

In 2025, the Idaho legislature passed S1083a, enacting several amendments impacting domestic exempt wells in Idaho. This amendment provides the following further amendments and clarifications: 1. Defines the term "subdivision," for purposes of sections 42-111 and 42-227 to mean a development with 5 lots. 2. Clarifies that the limitations contained in section 42-227(4) apply only to subdivisions with final applications filed on or after July 1, 2025. 3. Clarifies that the amendments of section 31-3805 apply only to subdivisions with final applications filed on or after July 1, 2025. 4. Additional amendments to improve readability.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for hazardous waste management.

The purpose of this legislation is to repeal Chapter 58, Title 39, Idaho Code, Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Act, and revise and move certain provisions from Chapter 58 to Chapter 44, Title 39, Idaho Code, Hazardous Waste Management Act. This legislation proposes consolidating statutory provisions related to hazardous waste management into one Idaho Code chapter, which would streamline Idaho Code and allow citizens to navigate this process with ease. Additionally, it retains all necessary regulatory provisions to ensure hazardous waste management facilities are appropriately sited for the protection of human health and the environment.

States findings of the Legislature and supports the consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

This Concurrent Resolution supports the consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with the Idaho Department of Water Resources for the purpose of creating efficiency. The resolution also urges the Governor, the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts Board, the Legislature and the Director of the Department of Water Resources to collaborate to ensure the core missions of the two organizations remain intact.

Amends 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 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 two sections of Idaho Code pertaining to State Controller and LUMA. The bill repeals Section 67-1021C that established the Business Information Infrastructure Fund that was used for the implementation of LUMA. The bill updates Section 67-1021A that established the revenue source for the Business Information Infrastructure Fund, which sunset on June 30, 2023.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a licensed midwife to obtain and administer medication indicated for maternal care or neonatal care if a midwife possesses requisite education, training, and experience.

This legislation will improve the practice of midwifery in the state of Idaho by removing unnecessary barriers and by deleting obsolete language regarding the formulary for licensed midwives.

Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act.

RS33743 / S1412 This legislation creates the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act to strengthen transparency and reporting requirements related to misconduct involving students. While Idaho Code §33-1210 governs the transfer of personnel files between school districts, this legislation clarifies reporting obligations and requires disclosure of pending investigations, resignations during investigations, and disciplinary actions involving misconduct when hiring individuals who will work with students. The bill also clarifies that educational entities may not conduct internal investigations in lieu of reporting suspected child abuse as required by Idaho law and requires that resignations, terminations, or administrative leave occurring during investigations of misconduct involving students be referred to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission for review.

Amends and repeals existing law to revise provisions regarding the Board of Health and Welfare, substate administrative regions, and regional behavioral health boards.

This legislation removes obsolete language in Idaho Code 56-1002 referencing substate administrative regions and directors of those regions. These positions have been vacant for a number of years. With increased legislative oversight of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare the Board of Health and Welfare will be eliminated. Additionally, this legislation addresses duplication of duties by repealing regional behavioral health boards. Powers and duties of these regional behavioral health boards will become the responsibility of the regional health boards.

Repeals and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding proceeds derived from criminal notoriety.

This legislation modernizes Idaho law to ensure criminals do not profit from the publicity of their crimes while providing victims an opportunity to recover restitution or civil damages. It establishes a limited escrow process for proceeds derived from criminal notoriety, gives victims notice and time to pursue lawful claims, and places distribution decisions under court oversight. The bill regulates only economic proceeds and includes explicit protections to ensure compliance with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 9 of the Idaho Constitution.