Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Model School Facility Council.

RS33803 / S1439 This legislation amends 33-917 of Idaho Code, pushing the model school facility plan deadline from 2026 to 2027. This ensures proper time to meet the objectives of said plan, which include outlining plans for school facility construction, potential variability of school properties, and consulting experts on proper use of funds from the modernization facilities fund.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for rural health care for fiscal year 2027.

RS33862 / S1453 This is a FY 2027 appropriation bill for the Department of Health and Welfare. It establishes the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund, and creates Rural Health Transformation Committee, a legislative oversight body responsible for governance, review, and recommendations related to the use of rural health transformation funds. This appropriation is related to the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) established in H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which provides $929 million to Idaho over five years. The purpose of the program is to strengthen rural healthcare by giving states funding to innovate care delivery, boost provider sustainability, develop the workforce, and leverage technology for better access and outcomes in underserved areas. Idaho will receive an annual federal award of $185,974,400 over the five year grant period. The funding will be available for two years before it expires. The Department of Health and Welfare will submit an annual budget request for appropriation in an amount that aligns with the federal funding cycle. This appropriation includes a supplemental to allow the department to draw down available federal funds for the remainder of FY 2026. This bill also provides the ongoing appropriation for the 12.00 limited-service positions, as well as onetime appropriation for FY 2027. The Rural Health Transformation committee will ensure funds are used solely for federally approved purposes, are distributed through a transparent and accountable process, and align with Idaho's approved rural health transformation plan. The committee will provide legislative oversight, require sustainability planning for funded initiatives, receive regular reports on expenditures and outcomes, and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the use of funds. The act includes public reporting requirements and sunsets the committee once all funds have been expended.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33863 / S1454 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Divisions of Early Learning and Development, Family and Community Partnerships, and Youth Safety and Permanency provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget. For FY 2027 this bill includes funding for four enhancements, a population forecast adjustment and adds the Idaho Home Visiting Program (IHVP) to the Division of Early Learning and Development. Enhancements include a walker mower, federal appropriation for the Kinship Navigation Grant, budget restoration for post adoption services, and budget restoration for safety assessments. This bill includes sections of language providing transfer limitation exemptions and reporting requirements.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the prohibition of taxpayer funding of teachers unions.

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.

Relates to the appropriation to the Office of the Attorney General for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33860 / H0971 This bill for the Office of the Attorney General provides an increased appropriation of $880,000 in the Consumer Protection Fund. This appropriation is in addition to the FY 2027 maintenance budget and restores funding on a onetime basis that was previously reduced through the FY 2027 budget rescission. Language included in the bill sets aside existing Idaho Code so that moneys in the Consumer Protection Fund may be used for the furtherance of all the Attorney General's duties and activities under Idaho law, as opposed to only duties and activities that relate to the Consumer Protection Act. This bill also includes an FY 2026 supplemental appropriation of $880,000 in the Consumer Protection Fund, restoring funds on a onetime basis that were previously reduced through the FY 2026 budget rescission, and language to set aside code as discussed above.

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 revise provisions regarding material harmful to minors.

RS33841 / S1448 In 2024 the Idaho Legislature passed, H710- The Children’s and Library Protection Act. This proposed amendment responds to the Ninth Circuit’s opinion, as well as a recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court addressing Texas’s age-verification law for pornographic websites.

Relates to the appropriation to the Workforce Development Council and the STEM Action Center for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33813 / H0949 This appropriation provides for the consolidation of the STEM Action Center and the Workforce Development Council (WDC). The bill includes a FY 2026 rescission to the STEM Action Center's existing budget for closing out an existing contract, moving most of the FY 2027 maintenance budget from STEM Action Center to the Workforce Development Council, and providing an increase to the Workforce Development Council for an existing contract.

Appropriates $200,000 to the Legislature for fiscal year 2026 for the Medicaid Review Panel.

RS33820 / H0950 This is a trailer appropriation to HCR 30 which authorized the Legislature to retain the services of a consultant or analyst to provide legislative oversight of state plan amendments and federal waivers to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in order to implement a plan for comprehensive Medicaid Managed Care. In March of 2025, the Idaho Legislature voted to submit state plan amendments and federal waivers to CMS to implement comprehensive Medicaid managed care in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has begun working to transition to Medicaid managed care. This appropriation will help the Legislature maintain its oversight role.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027.

RS33859 / H0972 This is a FY 2027 trailer appropriation bill for the Department of Health and Welfare. It address the fiscal impact of House Bill 730, which requires changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility system.

Relates to the appropriation and transfer of funds for strategic initiatives and local highway districts.

RS33865 / H0976 This bill is a trailer to House Bill 968. Among other things, House Bill 968 transferred $32 million to the Strategic Initiatives Fund for transportation and capital construction in the state. Pursuant to Section 40-719, Idaho Code, 60% of revenues are split between the Idaho Transportation Department while 40% of revenues are directed to local jurisdictions and highway districts as grants administered by LHTAC. This bill directs the 40% of revenues be directed through the Highway Distribution Fund, instead. For the past few sessions, the Legislature has directed funds for strategic initiatives through the formula rather than grants.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the election of commissioners in certain single countywide highway districts.

This legislation changes the process by which highway district commissioners are elected in a countywide highway district to match the process by which county officials are elected, effective for the 2028 election cycle. Specifically, it would match the process by which county commissioners are elected. Like county commissioners, countywide highway district commissioners will need to reside within the district they represent and will be elected countywide. Also, like county commissioners, they will file for nomination in the even-year May primary, and then the primary winners will run for election in the even-year general election. The process by which county commissioners are elected is well-understood and ensures that countywide commissioners are elected on the broadest possible basis.

Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind for fiscal year 2027.

RS33707 / S1408 This appropriation to the Public School Support Program’s Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind (IESDB) provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget, including career ladder equivalent funding to provide IESDB teachers with funding parity since these teachers are not on the state’s career ladder, replacement items for a school bus & van, and a net-zero endowment fund adjustment.

Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33830 / S1444 This appropriation to the Public School Support Program’s Student Support Division first provides a supplemental to the FY 2026 Original Appropriation and an enhancement to the FY 2027 program maintenance budget, both of which reflect the same addition of federal grant funding. The supplemental represents onetime authority in FY 2026, while the enhancement provides ongoing authority beginning in FY 2027, in order to allow schools to fully access their eligible federal funds. Approximately 91% of federal fund appropriations used by schools are for meal and nutrition grants, Title I-A grants, and special education grants. This appropriation also provides a reduction in discretionary funding for virtual only schools, a fund adjustment to reflect an increase to the Public School Endowment Fund distribution, and a population forecast adjustment to account for the decreased average placement of administrators on the state's experience and education index, as well as decreased usage of border contracts, exceptional child payments, and tuition equivalent payments. Population forecast increases are not adjusted for in this appropriation and if incurred, would be paid for from the Public Education Stabilization Fund.

Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Student Support for fiscal year 2027.

RS33843 / S1447 This bill provides a trailer appropriation and two onetime cash transfers to the Public School Support Program's Division of Student Support as a result of S1288. S1288 established the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to help address the extraordinary costs associated with students with disabilities who require a level of care that exceeds typical special education expenditures. The fund is subject to appropriation and supports reimbursement for high-cost special education services that are not fully covered through existing federal funding streams.

Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for fiscal year 2027.

RS33867 / S1452 This is a trailer appropriation to S1362, the Public School Support program maintenance bill as a result of H940, which amended Idaho Code to revise policy regarding the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. Section 2(15) of H940 provides for a minimum fee charge of $100 per enrollment for courses that are not graduation requirements and a maximum fee of $40 for courses required for graduation. This bill amends Section 22 of

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the duties of political treasurers.

RS33756 / H0930 This Legislation amends Idaho Code Section 67-6604, relating to Campaign Finance. The bill does two things. It will: • Require all political candidates and Political committees to open a separate checking account for the purpose of collecting contributions and paying expenses of one’s campaign and said funds shall not be commingled with any other account; • Require a candidate who loans personal funds to his political campaign account, an amount exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), to report said loan to the Idaho Secretary of State and shall deposit said loan amount into his candidate campaign checking account; and • Allow a candidate and a political committee to invest campaign funds, but only in certificates of deposit, money market accounts, or other cash-equivalent accounts. A candidate or political committee may not invest in stocks or other equity securities.