Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the use of gold and silver coins and bullion.

This legislation provides for four types of legal tender authorized by the state of Idaho. These include gold and silver coins, gold and silver bullion, base-metallic coins, and paper currency. Idahoans will have a choice as to which form of legal tender they choose to use. Those who chose to use a form of metal as legal tender may have their contracts enforced as such. Numismatic forms of precious metals are exempt from this legislation. This legislation reflects the constitutional requirement found at Article 1, section 10, "no state shall. .. make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts." A provision is included as to how to determine the value of gold and silver for the payment of taxes and the enforcements of gold and silver clause contracts.

States findings of the Legislature and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Police / Idaho State Forensic Laboratory, the Idaho State Police / Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, the Division of Veterans Services, and the Commission of Pardons and Parole have been reviewed and approved by the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee.

This Resolution reflects the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee reviewed and approved all of the Pending and Temporary Rules for the 2025 Legislative Session relating to the Idaho State Police State Forensic Laboratory, Idaho State Police Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, the Division of Veterans Services, and the Commission of Pardons and Parole.

Adds to existing law to provide for the Adult Alternative Instructional Diploma Program and the Adult Alternative Instructional Diploma Program Grant Fund.

This legislation establishes a pilot program for the creation of an accredited high school diploma for those aged twenty-one and older. This pay for performance program will be administered by the Idaho State Board of Education. The performance-based model allows providers to offer outcome-based instruction and curriculum including employability skills, career pathways, and certifications intended to prepare adult learners for employment. These tier 1 regionally accredited diplomas will be recognized by higher education institutions and the U.S. Military.

States findings of the Legislature and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the State Board of Education and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation have been reviewed and approved by the Senate Education Committee, with exceptions.

This is the Senate Education's findings on the Administrative Rules pertaining to the Idaho State Board of Education, the Idaho State Department of Education, and the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions governing lobbying and lobbyists.

Idaho’slobbyinglaws,alsoknownasthesunshinelaws,wereoriginallyenactedin1974byacitizeninitiativeto increase transparency regarding money spent by lobbyists and on political campaigns. This legislation updates these laws by separating lobbying reporting from campaign finance reporting and increases the frequency of reporting by registered lobbyists during and outside legislative sessions. In addition, this legislation updates the definition of lobbying to indicate clearly that both direct and indirect efforts to influence policymaking are considered lobbying. The legislation reorganizes the lobbying laws by moving the lobbying provisions within Title 67, Chapter 66, State Government and State Affairs, to Title 74, Chapter 7, Transparent and Ethical Government.

Amends existing law to provide that the director of the Department of Administration may provide certain services to cities.

Providing health insurance at an affordable rate for employees and employers is a key part of recruiting and retaining employees. Many cities across Idaho find health insurance costs are rising at dramatic rates for a variety of reasons, among them is a relatively small number of employees in the insured pool. The intent of this bill is to allow cities to join the health insurance pool administered by the Office of Government Insurance and thus spread the insurance risk across a much larger group, reduce the cost to cities and lower the cost of city operations to citizens. There is no requirement for cities to enroll in the state plan if they desire not to do so. Rules for implementation will need to be created by the Office of Government Insurance similar to those in place for allowing school districts to enroll in the state insurance plan, specifying enrollment procedures, dates, and premium payments.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding library directors.

Current Idaho law forces cities that run their own libraries to hire and fire the city's Library Director through a Library Commission. This legislation provides such cities with the option of making this personnel decision directly, through the city council. No city with a municipal library is required to change to this model. Instead, this legislation leaves this as a matter of local control.

Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho personnel reduction act, to provide for the reporting of state employee travel expenses, and to provide for reporting of paid travel by state officials and a penalty.

Thisdealswithstatebudgetissuesrelatingtounfilledstateemployeepositionsandtransparencyontravelcosts. First, it makes state government more efficient by requiring state agencies to identify all employee positions that have been vacant for at least 180 days, and then eliminating each such position that has been vacant for 365 days or more and reducing the agency budget request accordingly. For positions vacant for 180 to 364 days, agencies must either eliminate the position and reduce the agency budget request accordingly, or fund and fill the position using existing funds. In doing so, this will reduce the size of government agencies to a level at which they have already demonstrated the ability to operate. Second, it requires state agencies to report on employee travel for the previous fiscal year when each state agency submits its annual budget request the Governor and Legislature. Third, it requires those individuals holding or running for statewide offices, or who have been elected to statewide office, to report to the Secretary of State on any out-of-state travel relating to any governmental purpose, excluding any travel paid by campaign funds, which is already reported to the Secretary of State.

States findings of the Legislature and establishes provisions regarding Commissioners representing the State of Idaho at an Article V Convention of the States.

This concurrent resolution creates the framework for selecting commissioners who will comprise the Idaho delegation at an Article V convention of states, should one be successfully called. It also sets forth the scope of the authority for commissioners, and provides a remedy for removing, recalling, or suspending commissioners who exceed the scope of their authority. It also creates an advisory committee which would monitor the activities of the commissioners and may recommend removal of any commissioner who exceeds the scope of his or her authority.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act.

This bill will enhance the current legislation language to add the prohibition of financial institutions and not just payment networks that facilitate credit card processing assigning unique credit card codes to firearms retailers that sell weapons and ammunition in Idaho. The tracking of these codes will allow unprecedented surveillance of 2nd Amendment activity by the sharing with the government.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the requirement for safe public school facilities.

Amending Idaho Code 33-1613 to create requirements for safe public school facilities, provide fines for violation, ensuring protections for Idaho’s children and those who care for them every day. Idaho's children must learn in a safe, healthy school environment. Some of our public school facilities currently face serious safety and health concerns that put students and staff at risk. This legislation strengthens existing school safety requirements by mandating rigorous facility inspections, requiring prompt abatement of unsafe conditions related to lead and mold, and prompt mitigation of high levels of radon, and establishing clear accountability measures including mandatory reporting to parents. By implementing these enhanced safety protocols and protections, Idaho reaffirms its commitment to our communities and parents that Idaho’s public school children are learning in school facilities that meet basic safety and health standards.