Idaho Bills

States findings of the Legislature and recognizes Mother's Day through Father's Day as Traditional Family Values Month to raise awareness about the challenges facing traditional families and the alarming rate at which the traditional American family is declining.

States findings of the Legislature and requests federal intervention regarding the repair, operation, and ownership of Albeni Falls Dam.

The Albeni Falls Dam was constructed in 1954 with the approval of the residents and the State of Idaho. The Federal government made promises to the State to operate the dam responsibly. Some of those promises have been kept. Others, like the duration of summer-pool, have not been adhered to. Most recently, maintenance problems have plagued the dam and impacted its operation. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been responsible for dam operations and maintenance since it was constructed 70 years ago. The power generated by the dam is used across the Northwest and is marketed by the Bonneville Power Authority. This Joint Memorial calls on the U.S. President, the House of Representatives, and the Senate to immediately make the necessary repairs to the dam and to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the USACE dam operations plan with consideration for the economic, long-term operations, and ownership of the Albeni Falls Dam.

Adds to existing law to provide for transparency in financial services.

This legislation prohibits large financial institutions from discriminating against customers based on their political or religious views. It applies only to banks with assets over $100,000,000,000 or payment processing companies that process over $100,000,000,000 per year. Institutions would be prohibited from using social credit scores or any nonfinancial criteria. Social credit scores do not include assessing financial risks based on impartial and quantifiable financial risk-based standards. If a customer is denied access to financial services, he or she has the right to request the reason for the denial from the financial institution.

Amends existing law to provide for civil penalties for violating public utilities law.

Currently Idaho Code 61-7 l 2(A) authorizes a civil penalty of $2,000 per pipeline violation, and for each day the violation persists with a maximum of $200,000. This subsection of code only applies to pipeline safety violations, and there are no other penalties included in this legislative proposal. The proposed legislation references the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Titk_ 49. Section1_90)._:ZJ (December 28, 2023) and reflects the amounts the federal Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) program has directed state programs to adopt. PHMSA has advised the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that starting January 1, 2025 they will be taking over enforcement actions of the PU C's pipeline safety program. By adopting the CFR, the PUC will keep State Primacy over the federal government on its pipeline safety and inspection program.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish a World Famous Idaho Potatoes black license plate and a World Famous Idaho Potatoes white license plate.

Thislegislationwouldcreatetwonewlicenseplates. Thefirstplatewillbeanallblackplatewithwhitelettering. The word “Idaho” will be placed on the top and “World Famous Potatoes” along the bottom. Proceeds from the sale of these specialty plates would go to the Idaho Potato Commission and the state highway account. In addition to the regular registration fees, the initial issuance fee for the specialty black and white license plate will be $70 with $25 going to the Idaho Potato Commission and $45 to the state highway account. The renewal fee will be $50 with $15 going to the Idaho Potato Commission and $45 going to the state highway fund. The second plate will be an all white plate with teal lettering. The word “Idaho” will be placed on the top and “World Famous Potatoes” along the bottom. There will be no additional fee on top of the regular registration fee. This license plate will be the cheapest plate available for registered Idaho drivers.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the construction, alteration, equipping, furnishing, and repair of public buildings and works.

This legislation increases the estimated project cost dollar limit from $100,000 to $200,000 at which point the bid process changes from an informal bid to a formal written competitive bid process. This revised limit, which has not been increased since 2005, is commensurate with the significant inflation related to the construction industry. This revision is also consistent with the bid limit established for political subdivisions.

Relates to the appropriation and transfer of moneys in the state treasury for fiscal years 2025 and 2026; provides an additional appropriation to the Military Division for fiscal year 2025; and provides pay increases to the Military Division in accordance with the federal general schedule pay scale.

This bill addresses several end-of-session items. 1. It provides a FY 2025 supplemental appropriation to the Military Division to support the commissioning of the USS Idaho SSN 799, a Virginia Class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine; 2. it directs no transfer shall be made from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the General Fund through FY 2026; 3. it provides three cash transfers to consolidate moneys from accounts either no longer or rarely in use; 4. it moves cash to support the public schools appropriation subject to House Bill 479; and 5. it directs the Military Division to implement FY 2026 change in employee compensation to maintain parity with the federal pay scale.

Amends existing law to update references to the current Internal Revenue Code.

This bill relates to income taxes. It is the annual bill to update references to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The bill conforms the Idaho Income tax code to changes made to the IRC that affect the 2024 tax year. The Idaho income tax code uses federal taxable income as a starting point for both businesses and individuals. Our tax forms use federal adjusted gross income as a starting point. Idaho uses a static conformity to a specific date, currently January 1, 2024. This bill updates Idaho Code section 63-3004, to January 1, 2025. Using Federal taxableincomeasastartingpointsavesatremendousamountofduplicatework. TheIdahoLegislaturecanstill decide to which items it will conform to. Not conforming at all would cause a lot of extra work and confusion for individuals, businesses, and the tax preparation industry.

Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2026.

This is the FY 2026 maintenance appropriation for the Public School Support Program which includes the six divisions for Teachers, Student Support, the Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Facilities, Central Services, and the Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The bill includes standard adjustments for personnel benefit costs, statewide cost allocation, and change in employee compensation.

Amends existing law to provide for dual master electrician and journeyman electrician licensure issuance.

This legislation aims to streamline and enhance the electrical licensing process in Idaho by ensuring that individuals who obtain a Master Electrician’s License are automatically issued a Journeyman’s License at no additional cost or requirements. This adjustment recognizes the advanced qualifications of master electricians while eliminating unnecessary administrative steps. By reducing barriers and simplifying licensure, this bill supports workforce development, addresses labor shortages, and maintains high standards for electrical professionals in Idaho.

Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding insurance holding company systems.

The purpose of this legislation is to add uniform standards for certain insurers and registered insurance holding company systems, under Idaho Code, Title 41, Chapter 38, to file the Group Capital Calculation and the Liquidity Stress Test. These separate regulatory filings are tools for monitoring solvency. They are necessary for the Idaho Department of Insurance to maintain accreditation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and for Idaho’s regulatory authority to be reciprocated in all U.S. jurisdictions and certain recognized non-U.S. jurisdictions.

Amends and repeals existing law to revise provisions regarding public utility regulation.

This legislation represents an effort by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to go through relevant code sections to streamline and simplify Idaho Code in Title 61 and 62.