Idaho Bills

Idaho's H 720 changes how cities elect their city council members based on population size. Cities with 25,000 residents or fewer can choose to use district elections (where council members represent specific neighborhoods), while cities with more than 25,000 residents must use district elections. The bill requires districts to be drawn from existing voting precincts, roughly equal in population, and council candidates must live in their district. It applies to all Idaho cities and takes effect July 1, 2026.

H 745 prohibits public employers in Idaho from using taxpayer funds to support government unions or their activities. It bans payroll deductions for union dues, restricts government funding of union events or communications, and defines "government unions" to include teacher associations and local education organizations. The law directly affects public employees (like teachers and first responders) and their unions, preventing public funds from subsidizing union operations, political advocacy, or membership drives. Exceptions only apply for critical emergency services by first responders.

H 687 requires Idaho state agencies to procure only artificial intelligence systems that prioritize factual accuracy and avoid promoting political or social agendas (including DEI concepts). It prohibits AI that alters historical facts for DEI outcomes, suppresses content based on race or sex, or embeds DEI-based constraints overriding objectivity. Contracts for such AI must include verification requirements for vendors, and agencies must conduct compliance reviews. The law specifically applies to "large language models" used by state government departments and institutions.

This Idaho bill (H 700) prohibits employers and related parties from knowingly hiring or continuing to employ noncitizens without valid U.S. work authorization. It directly affects businesses, staffing agencies, and labor organizations operating in Idaho. Key provisions require employers to verify work eligibility through federal e-Verify before hiring, and compliance with this process serves as a defense against criminal charges. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Idaho's H 704 requires all employers in the state to verify the legal work status of new hires within three days of employment. It mandates enrollment in the federal E-Verify program by July 1, 2026, and prohibits knowingly employing unauthorized workers. Employers must check documents like Idaho driver's licenses, tribal IDs, or federal work permits to confirm lawful presence, with the state using existing agency data (e.g., DMV records) solely for verification. The law explicitly prohibits Idaho from making final immigration determinations, relying instead on federal programs and state-issued IDs as proof of legal status.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 115) expresses the Idaho Legislature's support for consolidating the Soil and Water Conservation Commission (SWCC) into the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR). It does not create new law but affirms the legislature's findings that merging these entities aligns with efficiency goals, as recommended by Governor Little's Executive Order 2026-01 and the DOGE task force. The resolution specifically urges that any consolidation preserves SWCC’s core mission of supporting voluntary, locally led conservation through conservation districts. It applies directly to Idaho’s soil and water conservation districts, the SWCC, and IDWR.

HR 24 is a procedural resolution, not a policy bill. It formally states that the Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee has completed its required review and approved all temporary and pending rules adopted by the Idaho State Tax Commission during the 2026 legislative session, as mandated by Idaho Code Section 67-5291. The resolution confirms the committee fulfilled its statutory duty to review these rules, which relate to tax regulations, but does not create new policies or affect specific individuals or entities. This is a routine administrative step to document the committee's review process.

H 526 allows small cottage food operations in Idaho to sell time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods directly to consumers, expanding their current sales scope. The bill permits these operations to sell TCS foods (like cooked meats or dairy) if their annual gross sales stay under $5,000, which was previously restricted. This directly affects home-based food businesses that want to offer a wider range of products without full commercial kitchen licensing. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

This non-binding Idaho Joint Memorial (HJM 11) urges Congress to fully fund the federal commitment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires 40% of the national average per-pupil cost for special education services. It highlights that federal funding currently covers only about 12% in Idaho, placing financial strain on schools and families. The memorial specifically calls for Congress to pass legislation that meets the 40% funding target through mandatory, sustained increases within a defined timeline. It also directs Idaho’s education department to annually report on how federal IDEA funding supports special education services in the state.

Idaho's HJM 9 is a joint memorial urging Congress to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) as the primary law for managing public lands. The resolution states that a recent legal challenge in Idaho threatens FLPMA's established processes for land exchanges - critical for managing intermingled federal, state, and private lands across the West - and requests congressional action to prevent disruption to land management and existing exchanges. It emphasizes FLPMA's role since 1976 in providing consistent, predictable administration of public lands for multiple uses.

H 501 requires all signature gatherers for Idaho ballot initiatives or referendums to be qualified electors (residents aged 18+). For paid signature gatherers specifically, it mandates two key disclosures: verbally informing potential signers who is paying them *before* collecting a signature, and wearing a visible badge stating "paid petition circulator" along with the payor's name. The bill also updates affidavit requirements for paid vs. unpaid gatherers and voids petitions if these disclosure rules are violated. This directly affects anyone gathering signatures for ballot measures in Idaho, aiming to increase transparency about who funds signature collection efforts.

This resolution formally records that the House Education Committee reviewed all temporary and pending education rules from the State Board of Education and the Division of Career Technical Education, as required by Idaho Code Section 67-5291 for the 2026 legislative session. It does not change any rules but completes a procedural step confirming the committee fulfilled its statutory review obligation. The resolution directly affects the State Board of Education and Career Technical Education Division by documenting their rules' compliance with legislative review requirements.