Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise the definition of “neglected.”

The Reasonable Childhood Independence Act. Currently, Idaho’s open-ended definition of neglect leaves parents exposed to frivolous allegations of neglect or even unnecessary actions taken by authorities. As the law stands, parents could get into trouble just for letting their kids play outside. This Act will protect families across the economic spectrum by affirming parents’ right to let their kids: 1) Walk to and from school and other places 2) Play outside 3) Be home alone for a reasonable amount of time 4) Remain in a vehicle if it isn’t dangerously hot or cold 5) Engage in similar independent activities except if the parent is showing conscious disregard of a child’s safety. The proposed law clarifies that child neglect be defined as actually putting kids in obvious danger or denying them truly necessary care and does not include normal actions by parents for encouraging reasonable childhood independence activities.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding campaign expenditures and independent expenditures.

This legislation would amend Idaho Code Sections 67-6607 and 67-6611 by including a requirement that the identity of the candidate, political committee, or measure being impacted by a campaign expenditure will be reported. 28232

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding surrender of certain driver's licenses and to remove provisions regarding the Nonresident Violator Compact.

Amends existing law to revise membership requirements for development impact fee advisory committees.

The proposed legislation requires all members of a municipal impact advisory committee reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the government entity. Currently, section 62-8205 requires two (2) members of the development community be on the committee. This amendment keeps that requirement and adds a requirement that at least two (2) members are not part of the development community. This bill also prevents government employees or officials, acting in their official capacity, from serving on the committee.

Amends existing law to provide that certain persons shall not be prohibited from possessing weapons on school property.

This allows school district employees, with an enhanced concealed weapons license, to carry a concealed weapon on school property. This requires that the school district employee maintain the weapon concealed and within their immediate control. It provides that employees desiring to utilize this statute provide a confidential copy of their enhanced license to school officials who shall also share the information with law enforcement.

Adds to existing law to provide that at least 70% of COVID-19 vaccine doses must be administered within 14 days of being received by the organization responsible for vaccine administration.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Governor's powers during a disaster emergency.

This legislation protects the separation and balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. This legislation ensures that all Idahoans have the right to work, provide for their families and that they can contribute to the economy during an emergency disaster declaration. The legislation also limits emergency disaster declarations to a maximum of 60 days unless extended under certain provisions. Constitutional rights guaranteed by the United States constitution, and the constitution of the state of Idaho and explicitly the right to assemble for worship are definitively protected in this legislation. The legislation clarifies that the governor may not alter, adjust or suspend Idaho Code during a disaster declaration.

Amends and adds to existing law to authorize the possession, distribution, transportation, and use of cannabis for medical purposes, to impose an excise tax on medical cannabis and medical cannabis devices, and to provide that marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols or synthetic equivalents are Schedule II controlled substances.

Repeals and adds to existing law to establish the Big Payette and Cascade Lakes Water Quality Act.

Amends existing law to provide that tuition and fees at state institutions of higher education shall be the same or lower in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years as they were on December 31, 2020, and to provide for rules allowing students to opt in or opt out of paying certain fees.