Idaho Bills
718 bills · 2024 Regular Session
Adds to existing law to establish the Distributed Ledger Technology Act to provide for certain rights regarding the use of distributed ledger technology.
This legislation adds a new chapter to Idaho Code related to Bitcoin miningdistributed ledger technology (DLT). It contains legislative findings that Bitcoin miningDLT brings positive economic value to individuals, corporations and other interests in the state. This legislation will protect the right of individuals and businesses to mine Bitcoinuse DLTin the state of Idaho by prohibiting regulations that impose certainprohibitive requirements on Bitcoin miningits use. This legislation also prohibits the public utilities commission from establishing rate classifications for Bitcoin mining. It further prohibits regulations that would impair the use of Bitcoin for the purchase of goods and services, and it prohibits special taxes from being enacted solely because Bitcoin local regulations that would unfairly impair the use of DLT by businesses or at home. The legislation protects DLT tokens and wallets as a private property right. It also prohibits special taxes from being enacted solely because distributed ledger technology is used as a method of payment in a transaction.
17 – 18
Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Facilities for fiscal year 2025.
This appropriation to the Public School Support Program's Division of Facilities provides enhancements to the FY 2025 maintenance budget by appropriating the School District Facilities Funds that have been approved by the Legislature in House Bill 292 (2023) and House Bill 521 (2024). The bill also adjusts the base appropriation to remove any funds provided for the facilities maintenance match and bond levy equalization programs.
Dave Lent · SD-033
33 – 1
Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the function of the Board of Equalization on assessments, to provide that the burden of proof shall fall upon the Board of Equalization in certain instances, and to revise provisions regarding an appeal from the Board of Equalization.
Currently when a taxpayer disagrees with an assessment of their property’s value, in addition to being at a disadvantage to the County Assessor in terms of access to resources and information, the taxpayer must also provide the burden of proof to show the assessment is erroneous. This legislation clarifies that the burden of proof would now fall on the assessor to demonstrate the assessment is correct. Further, in appeals to the Board of Equalization or District Court the burden of proof would now fall on the Board.
Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Teachers for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
This appropriation to the Public School Support Program's Division of Teachers provides a reduction of funding from the maintenance bill as it relates to 696 fewer estimated support units for fiscal year 2025. This bill also reallocates funding in the current year to discretionary funding as a result of fewer support units in the current year.
Janie Ward-Engelking · SD-018
28 – 7
Proposes an amendment to Joint Rule 3 to guarantee that any bill or joint resolution passed by one chamber of the Legislature shall be guaranteed a hearing in the applicable germane committee in the other chamber within seven legislative days.
This legislation modifies Joint Rule Three to include a provision requiring a bill or joint resolution that has passed in one house with a two thirds majority or greater will be given a full hearing in the other chamber. This would honor the work of the legislators by ensuring that it is given a hearing.
Relates to the appropriations from the Idaho Millennium Income Fund for fiscal year 2025.
This is the FY 2025 original appropriation for the programs that were recommended by the Joint Legislative Millennium Fund Committee, and not already included in another appropriation bill. This bill includes additional funding for Public Health Districts, Community-Based Recovery Centers, Idaho Drug Free Youth, Idaho Public Television, and Project Filter. All of these programs are in alignment with the Committees 5-year plan. In addition to program funding, this bill provides for clarification on future uses from the fund to be focused on the youth of Idaho and minimizes substance use disorders and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to maximize funds and minimize duplication of services. Finally, the bill provides significantly more oversight for non-state entities that receive these funds and for a cash transfer at the end of the year from Medicaid to cover the claims costs paid by this fund.
Van Burtenshaw · SD-031
24 – 10
Adds to existing law to provide for false reports of damage claims.
This legislation creates a new section of Idaho Code, 22-3417B, relating to false reporting of pesticide and chemigation damage claims. In recent years, applicators have been subjected to an increasing number of damage claims that have been determined to be false by investigators. This legislation creates a misdemeanor criminal penalty for these types of false claims.
34 – 1
Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Lands and the Office of the Attorney General for fiscal year 2025.
This is a fiscal year 2025 trailer appropriation bill for the Department of Lands and the Office of the Attorney General. It addresses the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 1292, which statutorily removes the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney General to provide legal representation to the Idaho Department of Lands and allows the Department to hire or contract its own legal counsel.
Van Burtenshaw · SD-031
47 – 20
Adds to existing law to establish a procedure for bidders to challenge an administrator's decision under certain circumstances.
Unlike other states, Idaho does not have a statutory process for appealing public works project awards. Until two years ago, there was no process at all. In 2022, the Division of Public Works and the Permanent building Fund Advisory Council adopted a policy to create a process. This bill codifies a challenge and appeals process, building on what has worked well over the past two years and making modifications where lessons have been learned.
69 – 0
Amends Laws of 2023 to define “Idaho residential street address.”
As a result of the 2023 enactment of Title 19, Chapter 62, Idaho Code, Idaho’s judicial officers may now request that public agencies not disclose their “Idaho residential street address and telephone number.” This new law seeks to increase the safety of judges and their families by guarding against persons identifying the location of a judge’s home. Since the location of a judicial officer’s home may also be identified by a legal description contained in the deed to that property, this bill will also protect against public disclosure of such a legal description. Specifically, this proposal sets forth an express definition of a judicial officer’s “Idaho residential street address” to include a legal description of real estate containing the location of such address. The addition of this specific definition provides clarity for both the judicial officers seeking to protect against the disclosure of the location of their homes and the public agencies handling requests for records containing information regarding such locations.
67 – 0
States findings of the Legislature and resolves that the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer be managed by the Idaho Department of Water Resources in a manner consistent with the prior appropriation doctrine as defined by Idaho law.
This resolution lays out fundamental principles governing Idaho water law, as articulated in the Idaho State Constitution and in Idaho Code, laying out certain facts, and calling for the united and proactive management of this resource within the framework of the prior appropriation doctrine and in a way that maximizes the beneficial use of water resources in the public interest.
Jim Guthrie · SD-028
Amends existing law to provide that certain judges and magistrate judges shall be eligible to receive a bonus upon retirement and to revise a provision regarding the salary of the justices of the Supreme Court.
This legislation provides for an increase in judicial salaries by increasing the salary of supreme court justices from $165,212 to $169,508, which is an increase of $4,296, or 2.6%. Since the salary of court of appeals judges in set at $8,000 less than supreme court justices, district court judges are set at $6,000 below court of appeals judges, and magistrate judges are set at $8,000 less than district court judges, meaning each type of judge will receive a $4,296 increase. The percentage increase will be slightly higher for each of the types of judges, up to a 3.0% increase for magistrate judges. This legislation also provides a retirement bonus incentive for judges and justices who serve through the end of their term before retiring, if they do so in such a way as to allow their positions to be filled by election, rather than appointment. Magistrate judges are also included, although their positions are always filled by appointment. This one-time bonus would be $25,000.
Abby Lee · SD-009
32 – 2
Amends existing law to provide that certain qualified expenses for the Empowering Parents Grant program will be reimbursed, to establish provisions for reimbursements, and to provide that unused funds may be forfeited by a participant.
This legislation makes changes to the Empowering Parents Micro-grant program consistent with the recommendations of the Parent Advisory Panel. It provides for the following changes: 1) allows internet expenses to be subject to reimbursement instead of direct payment through the grant distribution platform, 2) clarifies that students in school districts and public charter schools are eligible to use the micro-grants for programs offered through their schools that have an associated fee, and 3) increases the allowable timeframe to expend the funds from 2 to 3 years.
60 – 10
Adds to existing law to provide public school teachers with $500 per year to spend on classroom and education expenses on behalf of their students.
Public school teachers do not receive dedicated monies for classroom supplies and typically purchase these out of their own pocket. In 2007, Superintendent Luna provided teachers $350 each year for classroom supplies which colloquially became known as “Luna Bucks”. This program ended in 2010 with the recession and teachers have not received classroom supply money since. This legislation provides public and charter teachers with prepaid $500 debit cards designated for the procurement of qualified classroom supplies. Eligible teachers are required to maintain receipts and transaction records for a duration of two years from the date of purchase. The Idaho Department of Education reserves the right to audit any transaction conducted by teachers within a two-year timeframe upon request. The eligible teacher or respective school is obliged to furnish records promptly upon request by the Idaho Department of Education. In the event of an unauthorized purchase, the teacher assumes responsibility for reimbursing the Idaho Department of Education. Any remaining funds at the end of the fiscal year may be carried over and utilized in subsequent years, for a maximum period of three years from the date of card issuance.
Amends existing law to provide that the Governor's appointment of the executive officer of the state board is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, to revise provisions regarding School District Facilities Fund distributions and School Modernization Facilities Fund distributions, and to revise provisions regarding public charter school financial support and charter school authorizers.
This trailer bill to HB 521 makes the following changes: 1) It ensures that the executive officer of the state board is confirmed by the Senate; 2) It delays the implementation of the minimum days requirement for schools to 2025 to ensure legislative oversight while providing the state board flexibility to phase in hours or days requirements; 3) It ensures any misused dollars by a local school district are recaptured to the schools facilities fund and distributed to rural schools; 4) It amends to one-time distributions from the school district facilities fund; 5) It restores public charter school facility funds to what they were prior to unanticipated reductions from funding formulas impacted by the passage of HB 292 in 2023; and 6) It resolves a conflict within Section 33-5209A, Idaho Code.
Adds to existing law to provide for parental rights in medical decision-making.
The Parents' Rights in Medical Decision-making Act ensures that children, who often lack maturity and make choices without considering either immediate or long-term consequences, are protected by the informed decision-making of their parents, who possess the most knowledge and are in the best position to ensure that their children receive adequate medical attention. The rights secured by this Act flow out of the rights recognized by the Idaho Parental Rights Act, Idaho Code Ann. §§ 32-1010 through -1014, which are "rooted in the due process of law guaranteed pursuant to Section 13, Article I, of the constitution of the state of Idaho." This Act clarifies that consent for the furnishing of health care services to any person who is an unemancipated minor must be given or refused by the parent of such person. The Act further declares that a parent has a right to access health information relating to the parent's minor child. Finally, the Act is intended to supersede any current provisions of Idaho law that may otherwise conflict with the Act.
Heather Scott · HD-002A
59 – 11
Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Career Technical Education for fiscal year 2025.
ThisappropriationtotheDivisionofCareerTechnicalEducation,organizedundertheStateBoardofEducation, provides enhancements to the FY 2025 maintenance budget that includes program inventory system expansion, educator training staff, an increase to fire service training hours, and the additional 2% CEC.
Dave Lent · SD-033
23 – 10
Relates to the maintenance appropriation to General Government for fiscal year 2025.
This is the FY 2025 Maintenance Appropriation for General Government. This bill includes appropriations to the Department of Administration, Office of the Governor, and the Department Revenue and Taxation. The appropriation includes standard adjustments for benefit costs, inflationary adjustments, statewide cost allocation, and change in employee compensation.
Scott Grow · SD-014
28 – 7
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding certain disclosures and to provide for a restriction on transfer fees.
Thislegislationclarifiesthatahomeowner’sassociation(HOA)ortheiragentmaynotchargeafeeforproviding a property owner with their statement of assessment account. This legislation also prohibits an HOA from charging a transfer fee unless it is expressly allowed by the CC&Rs.
James Ruchti · SD-029
33 – 1
Repeals and adds to existing law to establish the Money Transmission Modernization Act.
The legislation replaces the existing Idaho Money Transmitter Act with the model Money Transmission Modernization Act. The model Act was developed by an association of state agencies tasked with money transmitter supervision along with members of the money services business industry, with the intent to ensure state agencies can coordinate in the supervision of money services business, to protect the public from financial crimes, to standardize licensing, and to modernize licensing requirements to ensure customer funds are protected in an environment that supports innovative and competitive business practices. The model Act sets forth provisions concerning money transmission licenses; acquisition of control; reporting and records; authorized delegates; timely transmission, refunds, and disclosures; prudential standards; and enforcement.
Relates to the appropriation to the Executive Office of the Governor for fiscal year 2025.
ThisappropriationtotheExecutiveOfficeoftheGovernorprovidesenhancementstotheFY2025maintenance budget that includes a constituent services management system and the additional 2% CEC.
Carl Bjerke · SD-005
69 – 0
Adds to existing law to authorize the Governor to develop and execute an interstate compact for border security, to provide that congressional approval shall not be required, and to require certain provisions be included in an interstate compact.
This legislation is titled Interstate Compact for Border Security. This legislation will provide legislative approval for the Governor to enter into a formal compact with other states to take action to secure the internationalbordersoftheUnitedStates. NormallytheConstitutionoftheUnitedSatesrequirescongressional approval before a compact between states is effective. However, there is an exception to this requirement at Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 when an invasion is taking place or when there are circumstances that must be addressed immediately and there is no time to wait for the congressional process. The Interstate Compact For Border Security falls in this exceptions authority and will empower our governor to take action quickly when such action is necessary and a delay in response on the part of the governor would be detrimental to Idaho and or to the other state with which we have entered into this compact.
Tammy Nichols · SD-010
48 – 20
Adds to existing law to provide for relief prohibiting the publication of synthetic media in electioneering communications, to establish provisions regarding an action prohibiting the publication of synthetic media in electioneering communications, and to provide exceptions.
Thislegislationaddressestheuseof"deepfakes"generatedbyartificialintelligenceandotherdigitaltechnology in electioneering. A candidate whose image, appearance or speech has been manipulated in an electioneering communication using digital means so as to create a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action or speech than occurred in reality, the candidate may seek injunctive relief as well as general and/or special damages. It shall be an affirmative defense that the electioneering communication included sufficient disclosure that the image, video or audio representation was manipulated.
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the duration and renewal of occupational and professional licenses.
The purpose of this legislation is to update all licensure renewals under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses to a biennial renewal cycle, with an expiration date at the licensee's birth month. This will allow for consistency in renewal cycles throughout the Division.
34 – 0
Amends and repeals existing law to streamline and simplify relevant code sections pursuant to the Governor's Red Tape Reduction Act.
As part of the Governor's Red Tape Reduction Act the Idaho Public Utilities Commission has gone through relevant code sections to streamline and simplify Idaho Code in Title 61 and 62. This legislation would repeal 35 sections of Idaho Code.
70 – 0