Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the dissolution of hospital districts.

The purpose of this bill is to bring consistency to state code governing petitions for dissolution of special taxing districts. Currently, the code on hospital districts is ambiguous, requiring signatures of electors "or owners of property" and "electors and taxpayers" within the district. This ambiguity would be resolved by defining qualified signatures only as "electors" and removing "property owners" and "taxpayers." This revision will make this code consistent with other statues regarding similar dissolution petitions that require only signatures of electors. The current language puts an undue burden on county clerks, as they would be required to verify petition signers as both electors and property owners. Conversely, clerks would be required to verify if signatures of non-electors qualified as property owners. These are time-consuming and unnecessary extra steps. The current language also is an impediment to petition sponsor who would face the awkward challenge of vetting signers as electors or property owners. Left unchanged would be the required 10% threshold required to place a dissolution on the ballot. This amendment will create consistency across Idaho law, reduce administrative burden, and give citizens greater clarity when pursuing lawful petition.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions to protect public employees from certain adverse actions, to provide certain remedies for violations, and to provide special procedures for public record requests by the Legislature and legislative staff.

This legislation strengthens government transparency and protects public employees who communicate with the Idaho Legislature. It establishes clear protections for public employees who, in good faith, communicate with legislators, legislative committees, or legislative staff, including responding to legislative requests or participating in hearings. Agencies are prohibited from adopting or enforcing policies that restrict or require prior approval for such communications, while protections do not extend to knowingly false statements or unlawful disclosure of confidential information. The bill also requires executive branch agencies to respond in good faith and within defined timelines to public records requests from legislators or legislative staff acting on behalf of the Legislature, while preserving existing confidentiality protections.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a presidential primary election.

This legislation seeks to return the March primary for presidential elections. Bringing back the primary is the best way to ensure that Idaho voters have the best opportunity to practice their right to vote on the national level. In 2023, the state GOP passed resolution 2023-28 calling for the return of the presidential primary.

Adds to existing law to prohibit the use of a mask or disguise during a criminal offense and to provide for a sentencing enhancement.

This legislation provides for an optional sentencing enhancement for the situation wherein a person commits, or attempts to commit, a felony crime, or certain misdemeanor crimes, while wearing a mask or other device to cover their face. If convicted of an underlying crime, while wearing a mask, the underlying sentence may be enhanced with up to an additional one (1) year in jail or prison, and/or a potential fine of up to $2,500.00. There is an exemption for law enforcement, so long as they are acting within the scope and course of their employment.

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

This legislation prohibits public employers from allowing taxpayer funds to promote government unions, with certain exceptions. Depending on the outcome of public employers' collective bargaining negotiations with government unions, some public employers may experience a modest indeterminate increase in revenue. This could occur if government unions are required to reimburse the public employer for any time public employees spend on union-related activities during work hours.

Amends existing law to prohibit certain acts regarding graves and to provide exemptions.

RS33651 / H0856 This legislation strengthens Idaho’s protections for graves and human remains by clarifying and expanding prohibited acts related to their disturbance, possession, sale, and display. It establishes clear exceptions for lawful activities conducted by law enforcement, medical professionals, research institutions, museums, and others acting in accordance with Idaho law. The bill also provides enforcement provisions, including felony penalties and procedures for seizure of evidence and human remains involved in violations.

Adds to existing law to establish the Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act.

In 2023, the Idaho legislature passed H 71 banning pediatric gender mutilation. This legislation, the "Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act," seeks to expand upon those protections and reinforce the fundamental right of parents and guardians to oversee the medical and social upbringing of their children. The bill prohibits "covered entities"–including healthcare providers, educational institutions, and childcare providers–from facilitating a minor's medical sex transition or "social transition" without informing and obtaining the informed consent of the child's parent or guardian. Specifically, it prevents these entities from withholding information regarding a child's interest in sex transition procedures and requires schools to notify parents within 72 hours if a student requests to use different names, pronouns, or sex-separated facilities. The act establishes a civil cause of action for aggrieved parents to recover compensatory damages and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate violations, seek writs of mandamus, and levy civil penalties.