S 1006 amends Idaho law to require all construction contracts for private improvements within Idaho to be governed by Idaho law. It specifically prohibits contracts from mandating that disputes be resolved in another state or country. This affects contractors, subcontractors, and property owners entering construction agreements in Idaho. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, ensuring disputes related to Idaho construction projects must be handled under Idaho's legal framework.
SR 107 is a Senate resolution supporting the Idaho Legislature's existing practice of observing a daily period of prayer at the start of each legislative session. It formally affirms this tradition by citing historical precedents and Supreme Court rulings on legislative prayer, but does not create new requirements or affect any external entities. The resolution simply endorses the Senate's current routine of holding a brief prayer period during the "Second Order of Business" on the Senate floor. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect beyond expressing the Senate's support for this longstanding practice.
This Senate Resolution (SR 110) confirms that the Senate Education Committee reviewed and approved most temporary and pending rules from Idaho's State Board of Education and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for the 2025 legislative session. It specifically approves all such rules except four: two sets of education standards (covering social studies/history and school uniformity) and two sets of rules for postsecondary institutions. The resolution formally states these exceptions were not approved by the committee. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy but validates the committee's review process for existing rules.
This bill removes a specific rule that previously gave lien claimants (like contractors and material suppliers) priority for court hearings on construction-related debts. It eliminates the requirement allowing them to demand a hearing within 30 days by filing a "demand for thirty (30) day setting." The change affects how quickly these lien cases can be scheduled in Idaho courts, removing the expedited hearing process while keeping other lien claim provisions unchanged. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This Idaho bill requires digital advertising publishers to verify specific claims they make to buyers about geo-targeting (where ads are shown) and performance metrics like click-through rates within 30 days of a request. Publishers must provide third-party verified data without disclosing personal or proprietary information. If publishers fail to verify within the timeframe, buyers can seek refunds or sue for damages. The law applies to all digital ads sold to Idaho businesses starting July 1, 2025.
H 393 revises filing fees for candidates running for specific elected offices in Idaho, including U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, and state-level positions like Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. The bill amends multiple sections of Idaho Code (34-604 through 34-623) to adjust the required fee amounts, which currently range from $200 to $1,000 for most offices. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to file candidacy for these positions in upcoming elections. The bill does not alter qualifications or election procedures, only the financial requirement for candidate registration.
SCR 103 is a procedural resolution (not a law) that establishes an interim committee to study how state and local land use regulations impact housing supply in Idaho. The committee, appointed by the Legislative Council, will examine zoning codes, city plans, and regulatory processes to identify ways to increase housing affordability and development efficiency. It will include 3 House and 3 Senate members (with party balance) and non-voting experts from housing, planning, and local government groups. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the next legislative session by March 2026. This resolution does not change existing laws but creates a process to inform future policy decisions.
This Idaho concurrent resolution (SCR 109) rejects a specific administrative rule (IDAPA 17.01.01, Section 305, Subsection 01.a.) related to worker's compensation procedures. The Legislature found this rule inconsistent with its intent and declared it null and void effective July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the Industrial Commission's authority to enforce this rule in worker's compensation cases. It does not create new law but formally removes an existing regulation.
S 1145 would require Idaho school districts and public charter schools to establish an Early Literacy Readiness Program for children aged 4-5. The program must be evidence-based, focus on foundational reading skills (including phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension), and include parent engagement. Schools could use existing literacy intervention funds to support the program, and the state board would annually evaluate its cost and effectiveness. The goal is to help students enter kindergarten prepared and reach grade-level reading by the end of third grade.
This concurrent resolution supports Idaho's 2024 Stipulated Mitigation Plan between water users and groundwater districts, and directs the Idaho Water Resource Board to revise the State Water Plan to establish a new annual groundwater recharge goal of 350,000 acre-feet for the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer. It directly affects agricultural communities, municipalities, and businesses relying on the aquifer for irrigation, municipal water, and hydropower across southern and eastern Idaho. The resolution updates a previous 2015 agreement and aims to address declining groundwater levels that have caused water supply conflicts and reduced surface flows in the Snake River.
Idaho's S 1166 restricts new or expanded homeless shelters in cities with over 100,000 residents (like Boise) by requiring them to be at least 300 feet away from residentially zoned properties or existing single-family homes. It defines "homeless shelter" broadly to include facilities providing temporary sleeping accommodations, regardless of operating hours. Existing shelters won’t need to relocate but cannot expand if it violates the 300-foot rule, and local governments must enforce this during zoning approvals. The bill also creates a 10-year application ban for denied shelter sites and allows exemptions if two-thirds of nearby property owners sign affidavits.
This bill repeals Idaho's Local Innovation School Act and creates a new framework for "Districts of Innovation." It allows eligible school districts to apply for designation by submitting a detailed local innovation plan outlining specific changes to improve student outcomes, such as modified schedules, curriculum, or governance. Districts approved as "Districts of Innovation" gain exemptions from certain state laws, rules, and policies (but not federal requirements, graduation standards, or open enrollment rules), subject to biennial review by the state board of education. The plan must include community support, fiscal resources, and measurable goals like reducing achievement gaps or increasing college/career readiness.
