Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the retirement of judges and to provide that a judicial vacancy shall remain vacant until the next judicial election in certain instances.

This legislation retains the Plan B early retirement incentive for supreme court justices, judges of the court of appeals and district judges who are serving as of April 1, 2024. After that date, any new positions will be ineligible for the Plan B option. In addition, this legislation acknowledges that selection for senior judge status is wholly within the discretion of the supreme court. If the Court approves senior judge status under the Plan B option for any supreme court justice, judge of the court of appeals, or district judge, who is retiring before the end of their elected term, that vacancy shall be filled by a senior judge until a new judge or justice can be elected. If no candidate is elected in the next judicial election, the position may then be filled through the judicial council selection process. This legislation has no impact on retirement status for judges or justices who are not applying for Plan B status. This legislation does not impact magistrate judges since they are not eligible for Plan B status.

Proposes an amendment to Senate Rule 3 regarding organization, seating, and substitution in the Senate.

This legislation addresses Senate Rule 3, which directs the organization of the Senate when a newly elected legislature has its first meeting. The proposed change to Senate Rule 3 is to state that substitution in either the House or the Senate does not count toward seniority. This rule change will bring Senate Rule 3 into agreement with Idaho Code § 67-412 which states that substitutes may exercise the duties of a legislator, but the elected Senator or Representative retains the office. The proposed effective date of the legislation is December 1, 2024.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding multiple awards.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the duties of ski area operators.

Amends and adds to existing law to prohibit certain materials from being promoted, given, or made available to a minor by a school or public library, to provide a cause of action, to provide for damages, and to provide for injunctive relief.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish the Accelerating Public Charter Schools Act.

Amends existing law to revise the definition of “juvenile offender” and to revise a provision regarding jurisdiction and juveniles younger than ten years of age.

Amends existing law to provide that a violation of the International Fire Code as adopted by Idaho shall be a misdemeanor.

Amends existing law to revise the powers and duties of the district board of health.

This legislation modifies Section 39-414, Idaho Code, to limit the powers and duties of the district boards of health. It narrows their scope to administer and enforce only necessary and reasonable health laws and regulations, eliminating the broader mandate to do "all things" for the preservation and protection of public health, including preventative health measures. This change reinforces the focused use of authority and resources to ensure the boards operate within a specified framework.

Amends and repeals existing law relating to the sale, transfer, or disposition of state administrative facilities.

Amends existing law to expand a prohibition of electioneering messages on certain tax-related correspondence to include support for government programs or initiatives and nonprofit corporations.

Amends existing law to revise the terms “embryo or fetus” and “stillborn fetus” as “preborn child” and “stillborn child.”

To replace the term 'fetus' or 'fetus and embryo' with the term 'preborn child' or 'child.' This change is policy neutral and does not alter existing statutory definitions.

Amends existing law to provide penalties for improper homestead exemption claims and to provide for information sharing with the secretary of state.

Thislegislationprovidesapenaltyforataxpayerclaimingmorethanonehomesteadexemptionforpropertytax. Thefirstviolationisafinancialpenaltywithsubsequentviolationsbeingsubjecttoamisdemeanor. Further, this legislation allows for sharing of information to the Secretary of State to assist in determining that this taxpayer is only voting in their primary residence.