Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to provide that the director of the Department of Administration may provide certain services to cities.

Providing health insurance at an affordable rate for employees and employers is a key part of recruiting and retaining employees. Many cities across Idaho find health insurance costs are rising at dramatic rates for a variety of reasons, among them is a relatively small number of employees in the insured pool. The intent of this bill is to allow cities to join the health insurance pool administered by the Office of Government Insurance and thus spread the insurance risk across a much larger group, reduce the cost to cities and lower the cost of city operations to citizens. There is no requirement for cities to enroll in the state plan if they desire not to do so. Rules for implementation will need to be created by the Office of Government Insurance similar to those in place for allowing school districts to enroll in the state insurance plan, specifying enrollment procedures, dates, and premium payments.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2026.

This appropriation to the Department of Administration provides enhancements to the FY 2026 maintenance budget that include 1.00 FTP and funding for a personnel technician for the Office of Group Insurance; 1.00 FTP and funding for a property values analyst for the Office of Risk Management; 1.00 FTP and funding for a financial specialist; a trailer for the Division of Security; funding for the Governor's housing stipend; a transfer from capital outlay to operating expenditures in the Division of Public Works; replacement items; and IT hardware. The bill includes a cash transfer from the Permanent Building Fund to the Governor's Residence Fund. Requested enhancements that were not funded include a truck for the Division of Security, which was able to repurpose an existing vehicle.