Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to provide for punitive damages in cases of libel per se and slander per se.

RS33606 / H0851 Currently in Idaho, punitive damages can be avoided in an action for defamation against a newspaper, radio or television, if a retraction of the statement is made. This legislation seeks to ensure that punitive damages may be recovered regardless of a retraction. "Libel per se" or slander per se" is defined as a knowing and deliberate false statement or a statement in reckless disregard of the truth.

Amends existing law to establish rules for ex parte communications to and from the Public Utilities Commission and to limit the amount that a commissioner or staff member may receive as a gift.

RS33645 / H0865 This legislation relates to the Public Utilities Commission. It amends section 61-207, Idaho code to establish provisions regarding certain ex parte communications. It also amends section 18-1356, of Idaho code to revise a provision regarding gifts to public servants by persons subject to their jurisdiction and declaring an emergency and providing an effective date.

Amends existing law to revise certain definitions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

RS33691 / H0903 During the 2025 legislative session, the Idaho Legislature enacted legislation directing the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of soda and candy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As the Department began implementing the program, which took effect February 15, 2026, it became clear that the existing statutory definitions of “candy” and “soda” were difficult for retailers and consumers to interpret and could lead to inconsistent application. This legislation revises and clarifies the definitions of “candy” and “soda” in Idaho Code to provide greater consistency, reduce varied interpretations, and make it easier to determine whether new products entering the marketplace fall within or outside the SNAP restriction categories.

States findings of the Legislature and provides that all pending and temporary rules of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses have been reviewed and approved by the House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, with exceptions.

RS33614 / HR026 This resolution states all pending and temporary rules of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses have been reviewed and approved by the House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, with the following exceptions: 1) IDAPA 24.05.01, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Rules of the Board of Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals, Docket No. 24-0501-2501, Section 400 only; and 2) IDAPA 58.01.11, Department of Environmental Quality, Ground Water Quality Rules, Docket No. 58-0111-2501, Section 003. and Section 200., Subsection 01.a., only. 3) The following rule docket becomes effective upon sine die of the Second Regular Session of the Sixty-eighth Idaho Legislature: IDAPA 58.01.08, Department of Environmental Quality, Rules for Public Dirnking Water Systems, Docket No. 58-0108-2502.

States findings of the Legislature and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Police, the Sexual Offender Management Board, and the Office of Administrative Hearings have been reviewed and approved by the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee, with exceptions.

RS33810 / HR031 This legislation provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Police, the Sexual Offender Management Board, and the Office of Administrative Hearings have been reviewed and approved by the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee, with exceptions as noted.

States findings of the House of Representatives and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho Department of Insurance and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses have been reviewed and approved by the House Business Committee, with exceptions.

RS33819 / HR032 This resolution states all temporary, pending and pending fee administrative rules to come before the House Business Committee from the Department of Insurance and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for review were approved with exceptions.

Adds to existing law to establish protections regarding youth service organizations.

RS33656 / H0874 This legislation establishes basic youth protection standards for youth service organizations not currently required to run background checks. It requires organizations that supervise children to conduct Registered Sex Offender Registry checks for adults who regularly work with or volunteer with children, provide periodic training on identifying and reporting sexual abuse, and maintain written policies for abuse prevention and reporting.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a temporary assessment to fund fire protection and emergency medical services.

Community Infrastructure Districts (CIDs) were created by the legislature in 2008 to ensure that new development pays for required public infrastructure without shifting those costs to existing taxpayers. This legislation clarifies the circumstances under which a county may form a CID, including when a CID is formed outside a city's comprehensive plan. It updates and modernizes provisions governing CID financing, including adjustments to bond terms and district lifecycle provisions, and limits certain administration levies. The bill also authorizes a limited, temporary residential fee in districts formed after January 1, 2026, to help offset costs for fire protection and emergency medical services associated with new residential growth.