This Idaho bill (S 1097) revises rules for approving public charter schools. It prohibits school districts from converting entirely to charter districts, bans converting private/parochial schools to charters, and forbids for-profit charter operators (though charters may contract with for-profit service providers). The bill sets strict deadlines for new charter applications (by September 1) and requires approval by January 1 prior to the school year, limits charters to authorizing district boundaries, and prohibits using state education funds for unrelated ventures like daycare. These changes directly affect school districts, charter school authors, and existing public schools seeking conversion.
S 1169 (Idaho Code §23-903d) creates a new type of liquor license specifically for restaurants in Idaho cities. It allows cities to issue these licenses to restaurants that demonstrate at least 60% of their gross sales come from food (not alcohol) during the previous year, including food halls with multiple restaurants. The license cannot be sold, transferred, or used to operate as a bar, and cities must issue at least three but no more than the total licenses allowed under existing population rules. This bill directly affects city restaurants seeking liquor licenses and takes effect July 1, 2025.
S 1168 requires all new tablets and smartphones manufactured on or after January 1, 2026, sold in Idaho to include built-in internet filters that block harmful content for minors. The law mandates devices to verify user age during setup, automatically enable filters for minors, prevent VPN use, and notify parents if filters block content or bypass attempts. App stores must identify apps that could bypass parental controls or display harmful content, and apps with such capabilities require a password to download. This law applies to device manufacturers, app developers, and parents/guardians who can override filters with passwords, effective January 1, 2026.
This bill would legalize medical cannabis use in Idaho for patients with qualifying conditions, allowing possession, transportation, and use of cannabis products under strict state regulations. It establishes a state-issued card system for patients and caregivers, requires electronic verification for purchases, and limits products to 100ml of liquid or 10 tablets/capsules per package. The bill reclassifies cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II controlled substances under Idaho law and clarifies that insurers are not required to cover medical cannabis. It also defines specific medical uses, prohibits public consumption, and sets up a regulatory framework for pharmacies and healthcare providers.
This Idaho bill adjusts fiscal year 2025 funding for three state departments. It reduces Commerce Department appropriations for some programs while adding $291.7 million specifically for broadband infrastructure, transfers $2 million from the General Fund to the Environmental Quality Department, and modifies Health and Welfare funding by reducing substance abuse program funding by $160,000 while adding $160,000 for the same program, and similarly adjusting physical health services with a $240,000 reduction and addition. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure with immediate effect on March 12, 2025. It does not create new programs but reallocates existing funds across designated accounts.
Idaho's H 53 strengthens unemployment insurance fraud prevention by clarifying key terms and increasing penalties. It defines "knowingly" and "willfully" to make it easier to prove fraud, such as when employers intentionally misrepresent business transfers to lower contribution rates. The bill adds a new crime for "employment security identity theft" and imposes civil penalties: 10% of taxable wages for employers (up to $5,000 for others) for false claims or violations. These changes directly affect employers seeking to manipulate unemployment insurance rates and individuals filing fraudulent claims. The law, effective July 1, 2025, aims to deter fraud through clearer legal standards and stronger enforcement.
This bill raises the maximum annual tuition cap for Idaho community college students from $2,500 to $3,250. It directly affects all students attending Idaho community colleges, including both in-district residents and out-of-district students, though residency-based adjustments to tuition remain in place. The change modifies Section 33-2110 of Idaho Code to reflect the new cap while maintaining existing rules for tuition setting and residency definitions. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
H 37 amends Idaho Code § 19-2716 to revise execution methods for death row inmates. It designates lethal injection (via continuous intravenous administration) as the primary method, requiring the Idaho Department of Correction director to certify its availability within five days of a death warrant. If lethal injection is unavailable or certification is missing, execution must use firing squad. The law applies to all future executions starting July 1, 2026, regardless of when the death sentence was imposed.
H 54 revises Idaho's employment security laws to update procedures for handling wage claims and eligibility for unemployment benefits. Key changes include adding definitions for "ability to work" and "full-time employment," revising how base periods are calculated for benefit eligibility, and repealing outdated sections on wage claim procedures. The bill also nullifies four specific administrative rules (IDAPA 09.01.01, 09.01.08, 09.01.30, and 09.01.35), making them void. These updates directly affect workers filing wage claims, employers, and the Idaho Department of Labor in administering unemployment programs.
Idaho's H 165 revises when certain property is considered abandoned under state law, primarily adjusting timeframes for unclaimed funds. It shortens the abandonment period for property belonging to deceased owners from over 5 years to just 2 years after the last owner contact. The bill also updates rules for specific property types, like reducing the abandonment window for bank deposits from 5 years to 5 years after the last owner interest (with clearer renewal rules), and clarifies procedures for securities (e.g., stocks/bonds) requiring multiple contact attempts before property is deemed abandoned. These changes directly affect financial institutions, insurance companies, businesses holding refunds, and government entities managing unclaimed property, effective July 1, 2025.
H 116 eliminates Idaho's Small Employer Carrier Reinsurance Program by repealing all related laws in the insurance code. This directly affects small Idaho employers who previously used this program to help cover health insurance costs for their employees. The bill removes specific sections of law that defined the program, required reinsurance for small employers, and established related administrative processes. It also updates technical references in other insurance regulations to reflect this removal. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This bill defines "agricultural buildings" in Idaho to include farm structures like barns, livestock shelters, equipment storage, and horticultural greenhouses. It requires counties to exempt these buildings from most building code requirements - including fire sprinkler systems and accessibility standards - while allowing minimal permit fees for road setbacks and utility compliance. Counties are explicitly prohibited from adding extra rules, such as size limits, exit distance requirements, or sprinkler mandates, for these agricultural structures. The law applies to all agricultural operations and takes effect July 1, 2025.
