Idaho Bills

Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions for the opening of the shotgun sporting complex adjacent to Farragut State Park.

In 2023, the legislature passed House Bill No. 304 which directed the Idaho fish and game commission (IDFG) to expend up to five million dollars in federal funds through the Pittman-Robertson wildlife restoration act to purchase a specific plot of forty to sixty acres of land that the Coeur d’Alene Skeet and Trap Club occupies and leases from the Coeur d’Alene airport in Hayden, Idaho. The FAA and the Federal Wildlife Service could not agree on price for the ground, which has likely killed the potential for a purchase of said ground. This legislation codifies an alternative that was proposed by IDFG, whereby IDFG will lease the current location for a period of years until the operation can be moved to IDFG in Farragut State Park where it will be expanded. The lease and the move and expansion are codified herein. This legislation codifies an alternative that was proposed by IDFG, whereby IDFG will lease the current location for a period of years until the operation can be moved to IDFG in Farragut State Park where it will be expanded. The lease and the move and expansion are codified herein.

States findings of the Legislature and provides for an advisory question regarding the state gun of Idaho to be placed on the ballot before the voters.

RS33738 / H0932 This legislation directs the Secretary of the State to place an advisory question on the 2026 general election ballot asking Idahoans to designate which gun they would like to have as the official Idaho State Gun. This is a non-binding measure and the legislature would have to take action at a future legislative session to officially designate a gun as the Idaho State Gun.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding single stairway building exceptions.

This legislation amends the Idaho Building Code Act to authorize local governments to allow certain apartment buildings to be served by a single interior exit stairway, notwithstanding adoption of the International Building Code, provided they meet certain life safety and design standards. Eligible buildings may be up to six stories, with limits on unit count per floor and total floor area, and must include enhanced fire protection measures such as full NFPA 13 sprinkler systems, two-hour fire rated stair and shaft enclosures, pressurized stairwells, fire rated corridors and openings, limited travel distances, emergency escape and rescue openings, and comprehensive smoke and fire detection systems.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding cell-cultivated animal protein labeling, oversight, and penalties.

This legislation establishes labeling requirements for alternative animal protein products sold in Idaho to ensure consumers receive clear and accurate information about the food they purchase. It prohibits the use of traditional meat cut terminology on products not derived from harvested animals, supporting transparency, informed choice, and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) focus on food integrity. The bill also protects the clarity of traditional agricultural products and is enforced through existing Idaho Department of Agriculture authority.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding limitations on digital identification.

The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that digital identification is not required to access government services in Idaho. This legislation protects the right of Idahoans to use physical identification, prevents government from requiring access to personal electronic devices, and limits the collection and use of digital identification data. It also provides remedies when violations occur.

Adds to existing law to establish the Conversational AI Safety Act.

The purpose of this legislation is to establish safety standards for conversational artificial intelligence services, defined here as AI applications designed primarily to simulate human conversation. It requires operators to adopt protocols for responding to both adult and minor users. Where an operator has actual knowledge or reasonable certainty that a user is a minor, the bill mandates a persistent disclaimer of AI interaction. It also prohibits "gamification" intended to encourage excessive engagement and requires measures to prevent sexually explicit content. The bill also requires an operator to provide parental supervision tools.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public school building plan reviews.

This legislation streamlines the permitting process for school facilities by eliminating the requirement that school districts obtain plan approval before advertising for bids and by requiring permitting authorities to complete an initial plan review within 30 days of submission for all public works projects.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding unbiased artificial intelligence in state government purchasing.

The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that artificial intelligence systems used by state government operate as neutral, accurate, and reliable tools that serve the public interest. As agencies increasingly rely on large language models to assist with research, analysis, and decision-making, this act establishes standards to prevent the intentional distortion, suppression, or prioritization of information to advance undisclosed ideological agendas, including diversity, equity, and inclusion. The legislation affirms that artificial intelligence may describe or analyze any lawful subject in an informational or academic manner, while requiring transparency, procurement safeguards, and oversight to protect objectivity, public trust, and the integrity of state government operations.

States findings of the Legislature and provides for the addition of Joint Rule 24 to establish limitations on the number of pieces of draft legislation and the number of routing slips that may be requested by each member of the Legislature.

In recent years the volume of legislation brought by lawmakers has ascended to problematic levels. This creates logjams for bill drafters and has placed unreasonable expectations on that critical human resource. This resolution seeks to add a new joint rule 24 that will help temper that volume, provide for quality over quantity, and provide faster turnaround times. This will benefit not just bill drafters but the committee process and legislators alike.

Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding prohibitions against restrictive covenants banning accessory dwelling units and to establish provisions regarding accessory dwelling units in the Local Land Use Planning Act.

This legislation ensures that homeowners may construct accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and prevents cities from banning or unreasonably restricting them. It amends Idaho's Local Land Use Planning Act by treating ADUs as a residential use allowed by-right if certain conditions are met, with clear, objective standards for approval.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding county fair boards.

This legislation amends Section 22-202A, Idaho Code, which allows county commissioners in counties over a specified population threshold to designate a county fair board as an advisory body rather than as a governing board. This legislation does not impact counties that already relied upon this section. This statutory provision was adopted decades ago to address a specific circumstance at that time. Today, the population-based trigger is arbitrary and no longer reflects sound governance principles. Good governance should not hinge on an outdated population threshold or mechanism that creates structural instability for county fair operations. County fairs remain foundational to Idaho's agricultural heritage, rural communities, and local economies. Repealing this antiquated statute removes an unnecessary and destabilizing tool from code, restores clarity to county fair governance, and ensures fair boards operate under consistent statutory authority across the state. This legislation modernizes Idaho Code by protecting counties that have relied on the state while eliminating an outdated provision that is no longer needed and does not represent best practices in local governance.

Amends Senate Bill No. 1326 to provide for scope and applicability.

RS33712 / S1391 This legislation is a trailer bill to S1326a.This legislation restores the ability for a publicly employed land surveyor to enter private land for surveying activities. It also restores the requirement to provide a notice of survey to the property owner or occupant.

Amends existing law to provide for the voluntary licensure of pharmacists as naturopathic doctors.

This legislation amends Idaho Code § 54-5905 to allow pharmacists to seek voluntary, dual licensure as a naturopathic doctor under the regulation of the Idaho Board of Naturopathic Healthcare. Importantly, this legislation does not mandate licensure for any individual. To qualify for licensure under this chapter, a pharmacist must have a valid and active license to otherwise practice as a pharmacist, either in the state of Idaho or a corresponding equivalent from another state, possess an approved doctoral degree in naturopathy, and meet standards showing minimum competency. The legislation improves access to natural healthcare for all Idahoans who choose to seek it, as well as safeguarding public health by ensuring that any licensed naturopathic doctor who wishes to perform minor procedures or utilize prescriptive privileges must carry an active and valid Idaho license to do so. It does not grant any new privileges and restricts the scope of practice for registered naturopaths to what is currently legal under Idaho Code § 54-1804. This legislation will not limit or restrict any current rights of any pharmacist who chooses to forego registration or licensure under state law.

Amends existing law to provide for the executive budget document to include certain information pertaining to certain recommendations.

This legislation ensures that when the Governor's recommended budget includes an item that requires a change in policy, that a draft of the suggested policy is submitted along with the names of legislators willing to sponsor such legislation.

Adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and the Rural Health Transformation Committee.

RS33745 / H0916 This legislation creates a new chapter in Idaho Code, section 56-2501 and 56-2502, which establishes the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund account in the state treasury and establishes the Rural Health Transformation Committee. The legislative joint committee will serve to steward and provide oversight of the funds awarded to Idaho from the federal rural health transformation program grant.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding minimum standards and requirements for development impact fees ordinances.

This legislation relates to development impact fees, specifying that collection of such fees if adopted by a county for a county courthouse or county jail shall be collected by cities within the county.

Amends existing law to provide an exception for water skiing.

RS33495 / H0887 This legislation expands the area for certain waterskiing activities on public bodies of water. Waterskiing regulations were last amended in 2011. Fourteen other states have similar regulations.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

This legislation omits, “or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards," that was unintentionally left from prior draft.

Adds to existing law to provide legislative approval for the Department of Health and Welfare to submit a state plan amendment regarding change in encounter rate due to change in scope of services.

RS33744 / S1410 This legislation clarifies and improves the process used to adjust Medicaid encounter rates for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) when there is a change in the scope of services they provide. The bill establishes a clear statutory process for submitting, reviewing, and approving rate adjustments tied to changes in services. By creating defined timelines, documentation requirements, and review procedures, the legislation improves transparency and consistency in how these adjustments are handled. These improvements will provide health centers with greater visibility and predictability when planning budgets and expanding services, while also creating administrative efficiencies for both providers and the Department of Health and Welfare. Overall, the legislation ensures that Medicaid reimbursement adjustments related to changes in scope of services are handled in a clear, predictable, and efficient manner that supports Idaho’s community health providers and the patients they serve.

Repeals existing law relating to the Idaho Women's Commission.

This legislation repeals Chapter 60, Title 67 of Idaho Code relating to the Idaho Women's Commission.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the immigration status and nationality of arrested individuals.

This legislation adds a new section to Chapter 30, Title 67, Idaho Code, to require state and local law enforcement agencies to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of arrested individuals in the administration of criminal justice. The bill establishes reporting requirements, including biannual public reports, and authorizes the withholding of state funding for noncompliance. An emergency clause provides for an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Adds to existing law to provide for uniformity in local government antidiscrimination ordinances.

The Uniformity in Local Antidiscrimination Ordinances Act would prevent local governmental entities, such as counties and cities, from enacting ordinances that impose some antidiscrimination requirements beyond what is required by state law. Idaho currently prohibits certain forms of discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. This legislation would preempt burdensome local ordinances and bring these regulations into alignment with state law. Under the legislation, the Attorney General may seek injunctive relief against a local governmental entity that violates the provisions of the law. Businesses, property owners, and residents would also have standing to challenge antidiscrimination ordinances which exceed what state law allows.

Amends existing law to revise the penalty for soliciting commercial sexual activity.

This legislation makes soliciting commercial sexual activity a felony for anyone 21 years or older on a first offense. Current law provides for charging a misdemeanor for the first offense, followed by a felony for the second offense.