Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise a date and to remove a sunset provision regarding the reemployment of certain retired members.

This legislation permanently removes the sunset provision in Idaho Code §59-1356(5) that restricts retired employees from returning to work. By eliminating this expiration, we can continue to employ PERSI retirees without any negative effect upon the PERSI system, can continue to rely on experienced employees to address ongoing shortages, especially in high-need areas, without increasing retirement system costs.

Relates to reducing the appropriation for fiscal year 2026.

This is the 2026 Idaho Rescissions Act that applies to various state agencies and institutions and reduces their FY 2026 appropriations. Section 1 reduces state appropriations for unallocated CEC funding as required by Senate Bill 1110 of 2025, and reducing the General Fund appropriations by approximately 4% for most agencies. The budgets for Public School Support, the Division of Medicaid within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Correction, and the Idaho State Police were reduced by 3%. Section 2 reduces a total of 110.05 positions. Section 3 transfers $22,366,500 from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund.

Amends and repeals existing law to remove obsolete and outdated provisions relating to the Division of Veterans Services.

To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H 14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. The bill removed references to the Department of Health and Welfare as it pertains to a veteran's trust held by the State. Veteran's assets held in trust by the State were moved in 2000 to the Division of Veterans Services in § 65-201, Idaho Code. This bill also repeals § 65-210, Idaho Code, which deals with the construction of the North Idaho Veterans Home (Post Falls), which welcomed its first resident February 27, 2023.

Amends and repeals existing law to remove obsolete language.

To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H 14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. This bill repeals or updates 14 sections of Idaho Code in Title 59 and Title 33 relating to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERSI). These sections have become outdated or duplicative with other (newer) provisions now providing guidance on retirement matters, especially with cities.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Parent-Student On-Road Driver's Training Program.

Currently parents in Idaho can only teach their children to drive and obtain a driver's license in rural school districts or in urban districts that do not offer a driver's training course. This legislation simply allows parents statewide to teach their children to drive.

Amends existing law to provide that certain persons may provide instruction on Idaho law regarding firearms and the use of deadly force.

The purpose of this legislation is to amend Section 18-3302K, Idaho Code, relating to Idaho enhanced concealed carry licenses. The bill allows enhanced concealed carry training to be delivered in more adaptable instructional formats, including smaller group and one-on-one instruction, enabling instructors to tailor training to individual student needs. This legislation recognizes experienced, nationally certified firearms instructors with extensive enhanced concealed carry teaching backgrounds as individuals authorized to provide instruction on Idaho firearms law. It provides greater flexibility in the delivery of required training while maintaining Idaho’s high standards for public safety and legal compliance.

Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Career Technical Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33708 / H0907 This appropriation to the Division of Career Technical Education provides an enhancement to the FY 2027 maintenance budget for the Secondary and General Programs to partially restore the 2% rescission. It also provides a supplemental appropriation of $957,600 in FY 2026 for the Secondary and General Programs from the Career Ready Students Fund to restore the 1% rescission.

States findings of the Legislature and supports Integra Resources mining operations in Idaho.

This Memorial recognizes the importance of the mining industry in the state of Idaho. Integra Resources is going through the lengthy permitting process to reopen the DeLamar Mine in Owyhee County. Integra has taken a collaborative approach with the community and various stakeholders over the multiple years they have been involved in this process. This Memorial expresses support for Integra's permitting application and encourages the federal government to act on the application in a timely and cost effective manner.

Relates to the maintenance appropriation to the Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027.

RS33515 / H0847 This is the FY 2027 Maintenance Appropriation for the Judicial Branch. This bill includes appropriations to Court Operations, Guardian ad Litem, and the Judicial Council. The appropriation includes standard adjustments for personnel benefit costs, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, and a base reduction of up to 5%.

Amends existing law to authorize water districts to charge certain fees.

Authorizes a water district’s patrons to adopt a resolution allowing the watermaster to charge a land owner the property-specific charges associated with updating and managing water records following a property transaction.

Amends existing law to remove outdated references to the “Idaho OnePlan.”

To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the DOGE Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. This bill updates Sections 22-2717 and 22-2718, Idaho Code, by removing references to the Idaho OnePlan. Idaho OnePlan was defined as "a computer-based system for improving efficiency and effectiveness of natural resource planning by landowners and land users." This system became obsolete in 2018.

Amends and repeals existing law to remove obsolete language.

To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the DOGE Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. This bill repeals or updates 11 sections of Idaho Code in Title 21, Title 40, and Title 49 pertaining to transportation. Sections include provisions for and repealing specialty license plates, posting notices of traffic regulations regarding horses, mules, and cattle, passageways for stock, and other obsolete or outdated language.

Relates to the appropriation to the Endowment Fund Investment Board for fiscal year 2027.

RS33669 / S1380 This appropriation to the Endowment Fund Investment Board provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that includes funding to replace a high performance laptop.

Relates to the maintenance appropriation to Public Safety for fiscal year 2027.

This is the FY 2027 Maintenance Appropriation for Public Safety. This bill includes appropriations to the Department Correction, Department of Juvenile Corrections, and the Idaho State Police. The appropriation includes standard adjustments for personnel benefit costs, statewide cost allocation, and a base reduction of up to 5%. The base reduction for the Department of Juvenile Corrections is 5% from the General Fund, includes an ongoing base reduction recommended by the Governor, and an additional 2% base reduction as passed by JFAC. The base reduction for the Department of Correction and for the Idaho State Police were as recommended by the Governor. The Idaho State Police and the Department of Correction were not subject to an additional base reduction beyond that recommended by the Governor.

Amends and repeals existing law to remove outdated provisions.

To ensure that state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential for the citizens of Idaho, while best serving the public health, safety, and welfare, the Legislature approved the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, H14 in the 2025 legislative session. Submitted sections of Idaho Code were reviewed for repeal consideration by the DOGE Task Force on the criteria of obsolete, outdated, and unnecessary. This bill impacts three sections of Idaho Code: 1) Updates Section 22-1204, pertaining to rules, by removing a prohibition on promulgating certain rules for a period of 1 year, which ended in 2020; 2) Repeals Section 22-1211A, relating to the referendum of whether the additional $0.01 tax on potatoes should be continued. This referendum was conducted 53 years ago; and 3) Repeals Section 22-1215, a duplicative section of code as the commission is subject to the public records laws provided in Section 74-101(16), Idaho Code.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for equivalency between high school graduation and graduation from a nonpublic school for licensing requirements.

This legislation ensures a homeschool high school diploma is legally recognized as the equivalent of a standard high school diploma or GED for the purpose of obtaining various professional and occupational licenses in Idaho. As high school graduation is a requirement for many licenses, this ensures homeschoolers stand on an equal playing field when working to earn these qualifications. Any prospective licensees would remain required to meet the same required training and testing standards.

Amends existing law to provide for criminal trespass of a church and to provide a penalty.

In light of increasing animus and threats against religious worship around the country, this legislation recognizes a specific criminal trespass offense for entering or remaining on the premises of a church or house of worship while the individual's presence is clearly not permitted. To be convicted, an individual must also be proven to possess the specific intent to intimidate, harass, or disrupt a religious service or assemblage.

Repeals and adds to existing law to provide for prohibited acts and penalties regarding air bags and air bag systems.

Confidence in the proper functionality of a vehicle supplemental restraint system is crucial. Counterfeit replacement parts undermine safety and put lives at risk. This legislation adds a new section, 49-967, to Idaho Code that defines “air bag,” “automobile supplemental restraint system,” “counterfeit automobile supplemental restraint system,” and “nonfunctional air bag.” It establishes a misdemeanor penalty for the manufacture, sale, import, or distribution of counterfeit automobile supplemental restraint systems or nonfunctional air bags that don’t meet national safety standards. It also prohibits knowingly or intentionally installing or reinstalling counterfeit automobile supplemental restraint systems or nonfunctional air bags that don’t meet national safety standards.

Amends existing law to include tribal health facilities in provisions regarding certain detentions without hearing.

This legislation makes amendments to Idaho's involuntary commitment statute. As proposed, it adds a tribal health care facility as an acceptable site to hold an individual if a peace officer or medical staff at the facility believes the individual poses a grave threat to themself or others due to mental illness. The legislation also states that, for purposes of this section only, a "peace officer" includes tribal police officers.

States findings of the Legislature and encourages the celebration of America250 in Idaho.

As the United States approaches its semi-quincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding — Idaho seeks to demonstrate its deep patriotism and unwavering commitment to the core principles of liberty, equality, justice, and self-governance by endorsing a series of meaningful initiatives that embody these enduring ideals through active civic engagement, including: • The designation of a YEAR OF VOLUNTEERISM with a statewide goal of 250,000 acts of service tracked through IdahoKindness.com. • The introduction and promotion of a new original state song titled “Forever Idaho” to honor our shared heritage and aspirations. • A statewide campaign to gather signatures on a large-scale replica of the Declaration of Independence as a symbol of renewed appreciation for America’s foundational document.

Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding cloud seeding programs.

This legislation updates Idaho’s cloud seeding statutes by placing clear definitions, authorization, and reporting mechanisms into law to improve transparency and accountability. It provides for public meetings and reporting on cloud seeding operations, environmental considerations, and program effectiveness under an existing program.

Amends existing law to provide that verification of lawful presence is not required to apply for or receive crime victims compensation.

This legislation clarifies that the verification of lawful presence does not apply to applications for crime victims compensation, including the collection of evidence during sexual assault forensic examinations. The crime victims compensation program encourages victims to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement, thereby supporting public safety. By restoring this well-established process, the legislation ensures that crime victims receive the essential services and compensation needed for healing and continued cooperation with law enforcement.

Adds to existing law to require Idaho public schools to establish policies providing for a daily moment of silence.

This legislation requires public school classrooms provide a moment of silence for students for a minimum of sixty seconds, at or near the beginning of each school day, to reflect, meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity. It is the student’s choice, so long as they do not interfere with another student’s moment of silence. Public schools are prohibited from providing instruction regarding the nature of the moment of silence, other than as provided in this section.

Amends existing law to provide that the commission be established in the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

The purpose of this legislation is to establish the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This consolidation is expected to maximize government efficiencies and deliver improved services to the citizens of Idaho because it will streamline administrative functions, consolidate overlapping responsibilities, and reduce redundant expenditures.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the elimination of vehicle registration stickers.

The purpose of this legislation is to remove the requirement that vehicles display a registration sticker when registration is required. It clarifies that a valid license plate and vehicle registration are sufficient for a vehicle to be lawfully operated on Idaho roadways.