Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to remove entities registered with the federal election commission from the definition of a “political committee.”

Under current Idaho law anyone that registers as a Federal Political Action Committee (PAC) isn't required to follow Idaho election law reporting requirements. Federal PAC's are only required to report their spending and donations at year end. This legislation will require that they follow the same laws as in-state candidates and in-state PAC's.

Amends existing law to provide for certain contracts secured by deeds of trust.

This legislation focuses on the inclusion of obligations secured by deeds of trust under Idaho law. Originally, 45-108 allowed for liens, or legal claims on property, to cover potential future financial needs. This provision enabled lenders and borrowers to use the same property as security for future loans, with these future loans treated as if they were part of the original lien, including their priority dates. This arrangement offered security and certainty in financial transactions. However, a 2016 decision by the Idaho Supreme Court highlighted a legal gap: deeds of trust, which involve transferring legal title of property, were not considered 'liens' under this law. As a result, any future financial obligations secured by a deed of trust didn't get the same priority status as liens, leading to inconsistencies in how security instruments were treated legally. The Idaho Bankers Association has proposed an amendment to Idaho Code 45-108 to rectify this issue. This language aims to ensure that future financial obligations secured by deeds of trust are given the same legal treatment as those under liens. The goal is to establish fairness and consistency in property-related financial agreements across Idaho. Essentially, this amendment seeks to update the law to ensure equal treatment for all types of property security agreements. The Idaho Bankers Association has proposed an amendment to Idaho Code 45-108 to rectify this issue. This language aims to ensure that future financial obligations secured by deeds of trust are given the same legal treatment as those under liens. The goal is to establish fairness and consistency in property-related financial agreements across Idaho. Essentially, this amendment seeks to update the law to ensure equal treatment for all types of property security agreements.

Adds to existing law to prohibit institutions of higher education from requiring diversity statements as a condition of employment or admission.

This bill will make clear Idaho's state policy that hiring, and admissions decisions must be made on merit. This bill will also guarantee that hiring and admissions decisions made by state agencies, including public colleges and universities, are not "conditioned on a requirement that applicants submit or ascribe to a diversity statement."

Adds to existing law to provide for the efficient renewal of occupational licenses.

This bill continues Idaho’s work towards occupational licensure reform. The vast majority of licenses require licensees to take certain continuing education credits in order to renew their license. This legislation reforms, overhauls, and streamlines continuing education requirements, and directs licensing authorities to review their administrative rules to eliminate or modify any continuing education provisions that would conflict with the changes in this bill.

Repeals existing law relating to the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) Grant Program.

This bill also repeals Title 67, Chapter 4725, 4726, 4729, 4730, 4731, Idaho Code, short-titled “The Global Entrepreneurial Mission” as well as the corresponding section of IDAPA rules.

Adds to existing law to allow for the placement and use of newborn safety devices.

This legislation will add to I.C. Chapter 82, the Idaho Safe Haven Act, the ability for a "Safe Haven" facility to install and receive surrendered newborn infants through a specified newborn safety device.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding an electronic payment convenience fee.

This is one of a series of bills the Supreme Court has recommended in its annual report to the Governor concerning defects or omissions in the laws, as required by article V, section 25 of the Idaho Constitution. Idaho Code § 31-3221 requires the assessment of an electronic payment convenience fee when a debt owed to the court is paid with a debit or credit card. This statute also directs that the convenience fee be deposited into the court technology fund created by I.C. § 1-1623. Pursuant to standard industry practice, and as a matter of efficiency, electronic payment processing vendors normally retain convenience fees as payment for their services. Requiring the convenience fee to first be routed through the court technology fund fails to align with the industry standard and creates an inefficient process for both the courts and the payment processing vendors. As a result, this bill will strike § 31-3221’s requirement that the electronic payment convenience fee be deposited into the court technology fund before it is distributed to the payment processor.

Amends existing law to define a phrase.

This legislation adds a clarifying definition to section 58-1312 in relation to the Lake Protection Act. It defines what the term “modified” means so that the statute can be applied in the way that the legislature originally intended when it amended this section of code in 2006.

Adds to existing law to prohibit public entities from entering into contracts with entities that boycott certain industry sectors.

This legislation prohibits public contracts with companies that are boycotting certain industries. It defines the industries included and offers an exemption. The provisions of this legislation shall not apply to contracts with atotalpotentialvalueoflessthanonehundredthousanddollarsortocontractorswithfewerthantenemployees.

Adds to existing law to provide legislative findings and to define terms.

This legislation amends Title 22 of Idaho Code by adding a New Chapter to provide legislative findings and to define terms relating to Urban Agriculture.

Amends existing law to revise definitions regarding the basis of bearing as it pertains to plats and surveys.

This legislation amends Idaho Code Sections 50-1301 and 55-1902 to revise the definition of “Basis of Bearing.” The revision creates two options for defining the Basis of Bearing rather than a two-prong definition.

Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding personal service contracts and to establish provisions regarding personal service contracts.

This legislation will increase the threshold for publishing personal service contracts of the State of Idaho under section 59-514 Idaho Code and local governments under a newly proposed section under section 67-2810. The threshold would be increased from $10,000 to $50,000 in a fiscal year. The current threshold has been in place for over 40 years and has not been increased to account for inflation.

Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding prisoners who secure employment with a private employer.

This legislation applies to Idaho inmates hired by a private employer under the Department of Correction work releaseprogram. Itspecifiestheresponsibilityoftheprivateemployertoofferthesamesalaryrangeandbenefits as other similarly situated employees based on experience, education and other qualifications and clarifies the opportunity for inmates to use the benefits offered.