Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to provide for the filing of a complaint by a person aggrieved and to revise provisions regarding denial of a request for disclosure.

This legislation provides a remedy for public records disputes as an alternative to a lawsuit, allowing an aggrieved requestor to file a complaint in the magistrate court if they believe a record is denied, over-redacted, or over-charged. The complaint requires a $100 filing fee, to be distributed to the county district court fund. The complaint process does not require attorneys and does not allow for discovery. Agencies may respond, and a judge issues an order within 10 working days, after which either party may appeal.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for new large loads.

Until just a few years ago most investor-owned utilities (IOU’s) were growing at a reasonable rate of around two percent per year. Within the last few years energy demand has spiked across the country. Without strong guardrails on IOU’s, existing customers could see their utility rates spike. In other places around the country where large loads have come onto the systems existing customers pay the price for adding these new loads. This legislation does not affect existing large load customers but will set the standard for new large loads. This legislation will set standards and guidelines for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to follow when contemplating a new large load contract.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding appraisals by competent and disinterested appraisers and to establish a dispute resolution process.

This legislation requires automobile insurance policies issued in Idaho to include an appraisal provision allowing policyholders and insurers to resolve disputes regarding vehicle loss valuations and settlement offers through a standardized appraisal and dispute resolution process. The bill establishes procedures for selecting competent and disinterested appraisers, timelines for completing appraisals, and a mechanism for resolving disagreements through selection of an independent umpire whose determination resolves the dispute. The bill further authorizes the Department of Insurance to adopt rules necessary for implementation and provides that insurer failure to comply constitutes a violation of existing insurance law. The legislation is intended to provide consumers and insurers with a clear and efficient process for resolving claim valuation disputes.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the sale of industrial hemp products.

This legislation creates oversight and inspection of hemp derived products that have already begun to be sold in the state. The legislation requires any current or future retail store that sells hemp derived products in Idaho to obtain a license from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

Amends existing law to provide for a higher evidentiary standard and to require reliable evidence for reports.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding participation in nonacademic public school activities for dual enrollment.

This bill creates a standard for how local school districts engage with homeschool students who wish to participate in nonacademic activities such as band, football or dance team. Some school districts are permissive and welcoming, and allow area homeschool students to join sports teams, clubs and other opportunities organized by the school. But there are school districts where homeschool students are required to register as part-time students to participate in any activities, and some districts where homeschool students are denied participation altogether without reason. This bill clarifies that all Idaho school districts are required to open their nonacademic activities up to “nonpublic students.” Districts may charge a reasonable fee for participation, but cannot count these students for the purposes of enrollment or Average Daily Attendance.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding prohibitions on excused absences for certain activities in public schools.

The purpose of civic education is to instruct students about the history, structure and function of our civic institutions. This should be done in a way that informs students without political preference or prejudice concerning the diverse viewpoints that have influenced the development of these institutions. The purpose of civic education is not to incite activism but to instruct. The choice to activism is personal and left to the individual to pursue when not receiving instruction. This bill instructs schools receiving public funds for education to count students who are absent from class in order to engage in political protests, walkouts or volunteering for political purposes, as an unexcused absence for the entire day.

Repeals existing law preempting local regulation of auxiliary containers, including plastic bags.

This legislation repeals existing code that preempts local regulation of auxiliary containers such as plastic bags restoring local control.

Amends existing law to provide for automatic voter registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles.

This legislation will provide for the automatic registration of eligible citizens to vote at the same time that they apply for or renew a driver’s license or state issued identification, unless they opt out of being registered to vote at that time. The act of voting – being able to elect our leaders and set our course as a state and a nation – defines the United States at home and abroad. This legislation aims to facilitate the exercise of this basic right for thousands of eligible citizens who are unregistered or have outdated registrations due to relocation.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding certain placement and movement on the career ladder.

Under current law, industry professionals entering the K–12 system to teach in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs are placed on the Career Ladder at a level commensurate with their verified years of industry experience. However, once placed, these educators must receive four years of proficient or higher professional evaluations before advancing to the next rung of the Career Ladder. This legislation provides that eligible CTE educators may advance to the next Career Ladder rung after receiving one qualifying year of a proficient or higher professional evaluation. The legislation also extends this same placement and advancement structure to qualified Pupil Service Staff entering the K–12 system from the private sector. Licensed professionals—including, but not limited to, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, school counselors, school social workers, speech language pathologists, and school nurses—will have their verified years of relevant professional experience recognized for initial Career Ladder placement and may advance after one year of a proficient or higher professional evaluation. This change ensures appropriate recognition of experienced professionals entering public education while maintaining accountability through Idaho’s professional evaluation standards.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the Idaho Child Protection Central Registry.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the Director of the Department of Insurance to serve as the Director of the Department of Finance on and after July 1, 2027.

RS33630 / H0854 It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for greater efficiencies between the Department of Finance and the Department of Insurance. To this end, the Director of Insurance shall concurrently serve as the director of Finance. The Director shall find and implement cross-departmental efficiencies between the Departments in areas that include but are not limited to administrative services, financial and accounting support, and information technology.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding medical kidnapping of children and vulnerable adults.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding county solid waste disposal sites.

RS33681 / H0882 This legislation establishes a framework that strengthens the public sector’s ability to abide by its statutory responsibilities to maintain waste management systems. It allows counties to preserve and protect public investments in solid waste infrastructure. It increases transparency in the public process for controlling the flow of waste. It allows counties to regulate waste streams to reduce the likelihood of waste being sent to non-compliant facilities. It also reduces counties liabilities, avoids creating publicly funded assets that cannot be fully utilized, and allows private operators to continue bidding for waste management contracts or to operate within the framework established by those who bear ultimate responsibility for solid waste management.

Adds to existing law to establish a public school social access pass program.

To create a social pass/program for homeschool students to attend events within a local school district. The intention is to integrate communities and develop cultural bonds. Students will need to adhere to activity standards, district/school conduct, and pay any additional one-time fees that may apply to a given event. Districts may charge up to $25 per social pass to make up administrative costs.

Amends existing law to provide an exception to wildland firefighter differential pay.

RS33665 / H0878 This legislation clarifies the intent of differential pay (hazard pay) for wildland firefighters. Differential pay is appropriated by the Legislature, on a one-time basis, and serves as a twenty five percent (25%) of hourly rate enhancement for wildland firefighters, who were recruited as temporary employees to serve on the fire lines. This legislation ensures that the differential pay serves the lowest paid temporary positions for wildland firefighters who don’t have year-round pay and don’t receive state benefits. It further clarifies differential pay in this section shall not apply to permanent state employees who receive other compensation, bonuses, and year-round pay, and state benefits.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish certain permitting requirements regarding the sale of certain nicotine products, to revise provisions regarding the regulation of certain nicotine products, and to impose a tax on certain nicotine and related products.

RS33573 / H0884 This legislation expands Idaho's existing tobacco permitting framework to include vapor products and alternative nicotine products. It requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of these products to obtain permits and conduct business only with other licensed entities. The bill defines alternative nicotine products, including nicotine analogues, and applies existing tobacco regulations to them. It directs the Tax Commission to publish lists of active, suspended, and revoked permits, requires certain-out-of state vapor manufacturers to designate an agent for service of process and post a $25,000 bond, and authorizes the Department of Health and Welfare to deny retailer permits based on recent fraud, felony convictions, or attempts to evade prior permit denials or revocations. Products sold in violation of permitting requirements are subject to seizure and fines, with a second violation constituting a deceptive trade practice. The legislation also modernizes the tobacco tax to include vapor and alternative nicotine products, taxing vapor products at five cents per milliliter and alternative nicotine products at twenty-five cents per container.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding law enforcement entering into a memorandum of agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

RS33831 / S1441 This legislation requires local and county law enforcement agencies to apply for a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pursuant to section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This bill defines relevant terms, outlines participation in federal enforcement programs, requires specific written findings when participation is deemed impossible, and requires public disclosure when an agency is unable to enter into such agreement. An emergency clause provides for an effective date of July 1, 2026.

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

As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial — 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. • 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. • The establishment of “LIBERTY GROVES” throughout the state as living tributes to freedom, growth, and the legacy of the American Revolution, thereby fostering greater community unity, service, and a lasting legacy for future generations as we collectively commemorate this historic milestone.