Idaho Bills

States findings of the Legislature and makes three separate applications to the United States Congress to call a convention of the states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.

States findings of the Legislature and urges federal lawmakers to work in good faith to reform federal permitting and environmental review processes to expedite the deployment of modern energy infrastructure.

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

A Concurrent Resolution for the approval of all temporary and pending rules for the Department of Health and Welfare and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses with two exceptions for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Adds to existing law to provide for certain consumer protections for veterans benefits.

This legislation will prevent claim sharks from exploiting Idaho military veterans who are attempting to file a claim for their veteran benefits. In recent history, veterans have been preyed upon by individuals claiming to be "consultants" or "service providers" using high-pressure tactics, dishonest promises, and unfair contracts to impose hidden or excessive fees in order to assist veterans in obtaining benefits owed them by the government. This bill will protect our Idaho veterans and outlaw these fraudulent practices.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding conditional use permits for the construction of energy facilities.

According to the Governors annual energy report, Idaho imports 40% of our electricity and data centers will only increase demand for energy. As energy facilities are developed it is therefore important to keep as much of the energy as possible in Idaho. This legislation provides that a conditional use permit is required for all energy facilities and that the product of those energy facilities must first be offered to an Idaho electric supplier at Idaho market rates before making an offer to any other electric supplier that does not furnish electricity to Idaho consumers. Any conditional use permit that does not include this language is void. This legislation will sunset on July 1, 2030.

States findings of the Legislature and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, the Idaho Sheep and Goat Health Board, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, and the Idaho Oilseed Commission have been reviewed and approved by the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee.

This legislation approves the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Idaho Sheep and Goat Health Board, Idaho Oilseed Commission, and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses Administrative Rules reviewed and approved by the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee.

States findings of the Legislature and provides for support for the inclusion of PragerU Kids' supplemental education resources in Idaho public schools.

This resolution affirms the Idaho Legislature’s support for the inclusion of PragerU Kids' Supplemental Education Resources in Idaho’s public schools. PragerU, a nonprofit, provides free, supplemental educational materials designed to complement traditional curriculum with engaging content on civics, financial literacy, history, and entrepreneurship. These resources are optional for educators and families, fully accessible online for transparency, and approved by the Idaho State Department of Education. This resolution recognizes their value in fostering patriotism, personal responsibility, and a strong appreciation for America’s founding principles while commending the Department of Education for its commitment to educational excellence and expanding innovative learning opportunities.

Amends and adds to existing law regarding the procurement of property by the State of Idaho.

This legislation updates the State Procurement Act. It includes the following changes: Requires agencies to provideestimatedcostsforrequestedproperty, newandreplacement, atthetimeofbudgetsubmissionbasedon a request for quote (RFQ) or request for information (RFI) for any items costing $250,000 or more. Requires agenciestosubmitacompletedraftofarequestforproposal(RFP)foranyrequestedpropertycosting$250,000 or more and requiring a competitive bid. Emergency provisions are provided for budget requests that come in after the budget deadline. Clarification of multiple award contracts to two or more bidders. Addition of an intent to solicit to notify potential bidders. Updates to the overall timeline for solicitations and contract awards. includingbidsinvolvingthirdparties. Coolingoffperiodsforpublicemployeesorelectedofficialswithregards to vendors and state contracts. Disclosure requirement for vendor expenditures.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding disclosure of artificial intelligence communications.

Artificial Intelligence has advanced to the point where it becomes difficult to distinguish real voices from AI generated voices and the source of information and advice. This legislation requires that when AI is used in communications in trade or commerce, the communications must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed as being AI generated and if a consumer reasonably believes the communications are from a human when they are not, then the communications are unfair and deceptive. A consumer damaged by this conduct may recover actual damages or $1000, whichever is greater. Actual damages include the value of the consumers time in resolving an issue caused by the misleading conduct. The Attorney General is authorized to seek injunctive relief and a minimum civil penalty .

Adds to existing law to establish provisions for the protection of certain speech on college campuses.

This bill protects our 1st amendment rights to free speech on our institutions of higher learning. This legislative language: 1) Defines key campus terms. 2) Defines protected, lawful activities including all forms of peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, guest speakers, distribution of literature, etc. 3) Defines outdoor areas that are publicly accessible but public institutions can maintain and enforce reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. 4) Defines free expressive activity and states that no public institution of higher education shall abridge the constitutional freedom of any member of the campus community to speak on campus. 5) Defines those public institutions of higher education are required to make public for students the policies regarding free expression. 6) Defines for reporting to the Governor and the legislature to include any claims or complaints. Nothing shall be interpreted as requiring the institution to include any information from a student’s education record that would be prohibited in section 74-106(1), Idaho Code. 7) Defines for remedies with injunctive relief; compensatory damages; reasonable court costs; attorney fees.

Amends existing law to provide that all open public meetings shall allow for public comment, to provide certain requirements, and to provide an exception.

This legislation acknowledges the citizens the right to make timed public comments to the governing body. As citizens, we should be able to address the leaders we have elected into office. Additionally, this legislation ensures that governing bodies cannot require comments to be submitted prior to the meeting.

Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding the Idaho Literacy Achievement and Accountability Act.

Idaho has established clear goals that all students achieve reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade. Yet, according to the Idaho State Board of Education, in the fall of 2024, 40.5% of K-3 students—about 35,000 children—fell short of this goal. This legislation directs state resources to close Idaho’s literacy gap through four key strategies. First, it aligns Idaho law with Science of Reading standards. Second, it allows school districts to select the most effective reading assessments for measuring student growth rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all test. Third, it funds a curated list of digital interventions, giving schools flexible tools to meet students’ unique learning needs. And finally, it establishes intensive turnaround interventions for Idaho’slowest-performingschools,pairingthemwithliteracyexpertstodevelopandimplementcomprehensive improvement plans in collaboration with administrators, teachers, and school districts.

Amends existing law to provide for a certain exemption from school levies for certain properties.

This legislation will modify sections 63-602 to provide an exemption to education-related property tax levies fortheprimaryresidenceoffamilieswithaschool-agedchildwhodonotacceptanyeducationalfundsfromthe state. This allows families who bear the financial burden of their children’s education a property tax reduction to help offset their educational costs.

Amends existing law to provide for deer and elk tag allocations and to remove certain rulemaking authority.

This language revises the allocation of nonresident deer and elk tags, specifically setting aside a percentage for outfitted hunters. The bill establishes a structured allocation system for tags in both general and controlled hunts, ensuring a proportion of nonresident tags are reserved for outfitted clients. Additionally, it mandates recalculations of outfitter allocations every two years based on historical use.