Idaho's H 141 requires the president (top leader) of every public college or university in the state to have sole responsibility for all Title IX compliance. This includes creating required policies, investigating complaints, approving disciplinary actions, and submitting annual reports to the state education board detailing complaints, policy changes, and corrective actions. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in Idaho that receive federal funding, as it centralizes Title IX oversight under the president rather than other campus officials. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 99 revises rules for Class D driver's training permits, creating a new "parent-student on-road driver's training" option for teens in rural school districts without driver education programs. It allows parents or guardians with valid licenses to provide in-car driving instruction (6 hours observation + 6 hours behind-the-wheel) while students complete classroom training online. The bill reduces the enrollment fee to $10 for this option (from $15) and specifies how fees are distributed to state highways, county funds, or driver training accounts. It directly affects teens aged 14.5-17.5 seeking driver's permits in qualifying rural areas, requiring them to complete online classroom instruction regardless of parent training.
Idaho's H 149 adds new privacy protections to mortgage applications by prohibiting solicitors from using consumer reports (called "mortgage trigger leads") without clear disclosure. The law requires solicitors to explicitly state if they are not affiliated with the consumer's initial lender, that personal information was purchased without permission, and to comply with federal prescreening rules. It specifically bans using such reports to contact consumers who have opted out of prescreened offers or who are on "do-not-call" lists. This directly affects mortgage applicants and lenders/solicitors who use third-party consumer data for marketing. Violations are treated as violations of Idaho's Consumer Protection Act.
This Idaho bill (H 153) changes electrical licensing rules to streamline credentials for electricians. It requires that when a master electrician license is issued, a journeyman electrician license must also be provided automatically at no extra cost or additional requirements. The bill also creates a new pathway for individuals with 8 years (16,000 hours) of documented electrical work experience to qualify directly for a journeyman license, bypassing standard apprenticeship requirements. These changes apply to electricians seeking to advance their licenses or meet new experience-based qualifications under Idaho law.
Idaho's S 1038 prohibits the state and all local governments (including counties, cities, schools, and districts) from enforcing or collaborating on any requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). It specifically blocks WHO directives from being used to require masks, vaccines, medical testing, or to gather personal health information about residents. The law declares that WHO mandates have no legal force in Idaho and cannot be used to direct state actions. This law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 144 exempts individual sellers (not businesses) from state sales and use taxes if their annual gross sales stay under $5,000. It directly affects small, individual sellers - like artisans or hobbyists - making limited sales, while excluding sales of vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, and items intended for resale. Sellers exceeding $5,000 must apply for a temporary permit within 30 days and pay taxes for the remainder of the year, with permanent permits required the following year. The exemption requires sellers to maintain records for sales over $3,000 and clearly indicate tax exemption on invoices upon request. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This Idaho bill (H 226) revises how mining license taxes are allocated and how reclamation funds are managed. It directs 50% of standard mine taxes to the abandoned mine reclamation fund (up from 34%) and creates a new 33% allocation for a cyanidation facility closure fund for mines using cyanidation. The bill requires 90% of reclamation funds to be spent directly on site restoration and engineering, and clarifies that voluntary contributions from companies can count toward environmental mitigation requirements for new mining projects. These changes affect mining operations (especially those with cyanidation facilities), the Idaho Department of Lands (which manages reclamation priorities), and entities making voluntary contributions.
H 91 removes outdated provisions from Idaho’s health and welfare laws that the Department of Health and Welfare identified as obsolete or unnecessary. It repeals specific sections covering administrative procedures, reporting requirements, healthcare facility regulations, Medicaid programs, and public assistance rules. This bill streamlines the legal framework by eliminating redundant or outdated language without creating new policies or altering service delivery. The changes affect how the department manages its administrative systems and compliance requirements. The bill became effective July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
H 151, the Occupational Licensing Reform Act, requires Idaho state agencies that issue professional licenses (like for nurses, contractors, or cosmetologists) to report specific data in their annual performance reports starting in 2027. It mandates agencies to track and publicly report details including total licensees, new licenses issued, denied applications, renewals, complaints received, and disciplinary actions categorized as either "quality-related" (causing direct harm, like medical errors) or "technical" (like missed continuing education). Agencies must also provide brief, de-identified summaries of quality-related disciplinary cases for public understanding. This replaces an existing reporting requirement and takes effect July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 205 amends speed limit laws to allow drivers of passenger cars, motorcycles, and pickup trucks (not towing) to exceed the posted speed limit by up to 15 mph while safely passing slower vehicles in designated passing lanes. This applies only on roads with a 55 mph or higher posted speed limit, in specific passing lanes designed for overtaking without crossing into opposing traffic, and excludes construction zones and city areas. Drivers must return to the posted speed limit as soon as safely possible after passing. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not apply to commercial vehicles or roads below 55 mph.
H 404 allows residential chicken ownership in Idaho for single-family homes on lots of at least 0.25 acres, directly affecting homeowners in these properties. It prohibits deed restrictions or covenants from banning chickens and permits homeowner associations to set reasonable rules about manure, odor, or roosters, while requiring owners to manage chicken health and liabilities. The bill does not apply to apartments, smaller lots, agricultural zones, or areas where local zoning already permits poultry.
Idaho's H 406 revises property tax exemptions for low-income housing owned by nonprofit organizations. To qualify, nonprofits must maintain IRS 501(c)(3) status and ensure all housing units meet specific income-based rent requirements: 55% of units for tenants earning ≤60% of local median income, 20% for ≤50%, and 25% for ≤30%. The bill also requires nonprofits to certify annual compliance with these rules and prohibits tenant evictions for three months after certified catastrophic medical events. The exemption applies to new properties after July 1, 2025, with limited exceptions for existing properties. This directly affects nonprofit housing providers and low-income renters in Idaho.
