TallyIDAHOLegislative Tracker

Idaho Bills

797 bills · 2026 Regular Session

SJM114senateJudiciary and Rules

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.

Ben Adams · SD-012

In Committee
H0511houseSigned

Amends existing law to revise the surcharge associated with improved forest land.

This legislation revises Section 38-111, Idaho Code to increase the structure surcharge levied on improved private forest land parcels from a maximum of $40 to a maximum of $100. This is a dedicated fund to support wildland fire preparedness. The intent of the structure surcharge is to defray the cost of fire suppression on forest land caused by the existence of the improvements. The current annual rate established by the Land Board is sixty cents ($0.60) per acre and a $40 structure surcharge per improved lot. While the effective rate is set by the Land Board, the statutory maximum for the assessment is set in Idaho Code. The structure surcharge was last increased in 2009. The current rate is not sufficient to support the fire protection program fund. Fund expenditures exceed revenues and will lead to a fire preparedness funding shortfall in about 2031. Structures in the forest complicate and increase wildfire suppression efforts and costs. Idaho has seen a 54% increase in population since 2000, and now more than 2 million people reside in Idaho. Over the past 10 years, the extent of the wildland urban interface (WUI) has expanded in Idaho, and the Idaho Department of Lands is now protecting more timberland acres in the rapidly expanding WUI. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 30.1-40% of houses in Idaho are in the WUI. This has also resulted in more human-caused fire starts and acres burned in the WUI. Preparedness costs have increased due to the complications presented by the WUI. Due to the increased values at risk (human life and structures) in the WUI, fires in these areas generally require additional ground and aerial resources, which increases firefighting costs and diverts limited resources away from wildland fires. This legislation is needed to ensure funding into the future for the State’s wildland fire protection program.

Enacted

269

S1298senateState Affairs

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding immunity and reimbursement for justifiable homicide and defense of self, others, and certain places.

The proposed legislation created Idaho Code §19-202B to provide strong legal protections for individuals who use force in lawful self-defense, defense of others, or defense of certain places. It grants immunity from criminal prosecution when force is justified under existing Idaho statutes and limits law enforcement's ability to arrest without a warrant unless exigent circumstances exist. As the bill states, a person using justified force "shall be immune from any criminal prosecution for the use of such force or threat of force." To ensure this immunity is applied early, the bill requires courts to hold a pretrial immunity hearing within fourteen days of a defendant's motion. Once the defendant makes a prima facie showing of justified force, the burden shifts to the state in criminal cases and to the plaintiff in civil cases. If those parties cannot meet their respective burdens, the court must dismiss the case. These procedures are designed to prevent individuals who acted lawfully from being subjected to prolonged criminal or civil proceedings. The bill also mandates reimbursement for defendants who are acquitted or have charges dismissed due to justified self-defense. Counties must cover reasonable costs such as legal fees, loss of time, and related expenses. In addition, the legislation requires full expungement of all criminal history records associated with such cases, and once expunged, the person is legally considered never to have been arrested or prosecuted. This ensures that individuals who acted within the law do not face lasting consequences from an arrest or charge that should not have occurred.

Christy Zito · SD-008

Introduced
S1223senateResources and Environment

Amends existing law to authorize water districts to charge certain fees.

This amendment addresses a change with water administration that arises when water right ownership records have not been updated by landowners. In such circumstances, the water district may accrue expenses related to title research and water ownership processes. This amendment authorizes members of a water district to adopt a resolution allowing the watermaster to pass these property-specific charges on to the landowner benefiting from the research.

Introduced
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