Idaho Bills

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Lands for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

This appropriation to the Department of Lands provides enhancements to the FY 2026 maintenance budget that includes funding for a fire emergency support program manager, and fire aviation section manager, a statewide forest assessment program manager, fire detection cameras, fire equipment, the replacement of the fire burn permit system, statewide security upgrades, GIS enhancements, a boat and trailer, a vehicle for the agency's fleet and facilities manager, assessment fee adjustments for the timber protective associations (TPA), a change in employee compensation adjustment for TPA employees, a net zero salary split adjustment, a net zero transfer to correct a CEC adjustment, dedicated funds for replacement items, funding to replace computer hardware as recommended by the Office of Information Technology Systems, onetime for bonuses for firefighters, and support for satellite fire detection and mapping. This bill also includes a FY 2025 supplemental enhancement that appropriates and transfers $40,000,000 from the General Fund to Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund for fire-fighting activities. This action is reflected in Table 2. The appropriation does not include an additional 2.00 FTP and $323,000 that was requested by the Department of Lands, including funding for an assistant fire warden in the Ponderosa Area; a net-zero adjustment to support a fiscal financial specialist; a forestry program specialist; and funding for the shared stewardship program. The appropriation also shifted $83,000 from the General Fund to dedicated fund sources. The Governor's Recommendation included an additional $60,000,000 from the General Fund to Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund for fire-fighting activities as part of the FY 2025 and FY 2026 recommendations that was not included in the appropriation.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding controlled substances.

This bill updates the Idaho Controlled Substance Act with the addition of illicit substances to Schedule I that are benzodiazepine derivatives, synthetic fentanyls and synthetic cannabinoids with no approved medical use. Further it seeks to add several synthetic anabolic steroids to Schedule III and a new FDA approved treatment for post-partum depression to Schedule IV.

Adds to existing law to allow public schools to display only certain flags and banners on school property and to prohibit schools from displaying certain flags and banners.

The classroom is a place to foster education and to do so, students should be comfortable and free from partisan politics. Personal political beliefs disrupt the classroom and make students uncomfortable, feel unwelcome and open the door to bullying if they are in the minority mindset. Third party flags are an open political statement and do not belong in the classroom.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the prevention and deterrence of unemployment insurance fraud.

This legislation updates the statute applied to claimants who commit unemployment insurance fraud. It (1) defines willful and knowingly making a false statement; (2) creates a distinction between misdemeanor and felony fraud; (3) creates a crime for unemployment insurance identity theft; and (4) provides for a stiffer administrative penalty for repeat offenders of unemployment insurance fraud.

Amends existing law to require legislative action for certain changes to public assistance programs.

This legislation, effective July 1, 2025, modifies the eligibility criteria to stipulate any changes cannot be provided in rule, state plan, state plan amendment, agency guidance, or other documents. It also adds an emergency clause.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding Class D driver's training instruction permits and Class D supervised instruction permits.

Last year the Legislature approved, and the Governor signed Legislation to allow parents or guardians to privately teach their children to drive and obtain an Idaho Driver's license. This legislation simply removes language that was confusing and clarifies the process. It also increases the options to fulfill the thirty-hour classroom requirement.

Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding multiple agenda items on an agenda.

The purpose of this legislation is to provide clarity regarding actions taken on an agenda item that encompasses multiple decision points.

Amends existing law related to meetings, compensation, and the powers and duties of the board of commissioners of a flood control district.

This legislation enables Flood Control Districts to update their meeting locations, frequency and notice provisions to conform with modern practices, to update Commissioner compensation and to make changes to procurement provisions to conform with current statutes.

Amends existing law to revise the composition of the commission and to increase assessments.

This legislation changes the Alfalfa Seed and Clover Seed Commission to be seven members consisting of five alfalfa seed and clover grower members, one member from the University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and one alfalfa and clover dealer member. It also raises the assessment from one fourth cent (1/4¢) to one cent ($0.01).

Amends existing law to provide that a credit union shall deliver articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State.

This bill clarifies a section of the Idaho Credit Union Act that has caused confusion among Idaho credit unions regarding the filing of their articles of incorporation with the Idaho Secretary of State. The bill will now require Idaho credit unions to register with the Idaho Secretary of State and file both their original and amended articles of incorporation and pay the required filing fee.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding water districts and assessments.

This legislation amends Idaho's water code to (1) authorize ground water districts to create additional divisions when annexing new lands into the district; (2) change ground water district assessment lien and delinquency entry deadlines from January to February.

Relates to the maintenance appropriation to Natural Resources for fiscal year 2026.

This is the FY 2026 Maintenance Appropriation for Natural Resources. This bill includes appropriations to the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Fish and Game, the Board of Land Commissioners, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Water Resources. The appropriation includes standard adjustments for personnel benefit costs, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, and change in employee compensation.