This resolution confirms that the Senate Health and Welfare Committee reviewed and approved most temporary rules from Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare, Department of Environmental Quality, and Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. It specifically excludes two rule sections: one governing physician assistant licensure (IDAPA 24.33.02, Section 100.) and one for pharmacy regulations (IDAPA 24.36.01, Section 200.). The resolution serves as formal confirmation of the committee’s review process under state law, with no new policy changes or direct impacts on citizens. It is a procedural step, not a substantive bill affecting regulations.
Idaho's H 157 requires courts to collect DNA samples and thumbprints from individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to "serious crimes" as defined in the bill, including certain felonies and specific misdemeanors like domestic violence, sexual battery, or stalking. The bill revises existing law to expand the scope of offenses requiring collection - now covering some misdemeanors previously excluded - and mandates collection at sentencing under new procedures. It replaces outdated sections with clearer rules about who must provide samples, when, and where, while defining key terms like "serious crimes" and "DNA database." The law aims to improve identification of offenders for law enforcement, aligning with Idaho's statewide DNA database system.
This Senate Resolution (SR 106) confirms the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee approved most temporary rules from Idaho’s Department of Labor, Industrial Commission, Department of Insurance, and Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses after review. Two specific rules were excluded from approval: unemployment tax rules (IDAPA 09.01.35) and real estate commission rules (IDAPA 24.37.01), each only for designated sections. One rule - the Electrical Board rules (IDAPA 24.39.10) - was approved to become effective immediately upon the legislative session’s conclusion.
H 375 establishes a new process for cities and counties in Idaho to implement a local sales and use tax, up to 2% of the sales price, through voter approval. It requires cities/counties to hold public hearings, present detailed ballot questions (including tax rate, duration, and specific funding purposes), and secure majority voter approval in even-numbered years. The tax revenues must fund only the services explicitly listed in the ballot question, and the state tax commission will handle collection and administration. This directly affects local governments seeking new revenue and voters deciding on tax proposals.
This non-binding resolution calls on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve Idaho’s pending Medicaid waivers. It specifically requests approval of four waiver requests submitted in 2019, which would allow Idaho to implement restrictions on Medicaid expansion - including limits on family planning coverage, substance treatment access, work requirements, and preferences for applying through state insurance exchanges. The resolution notes Idaho submitted these waivers but has received no federal response since 2019. It aims to expedite the approval process for these waivers to align with Idaho’s 2019 legislative restrictions on Medicaid eligibility.
Idaho's H 40 bill amends tax code sections to exempt capital gains from gold and silver bullion sales from state taxable income, lower individual and corporate income tax rates, and exempt military retirement pay from state income tax. It directly affects Idaho residents who invest in precious metals, military retirees receiving retirement pay, and businesses subject to corporate income tax. Key provisions include revising Section 63-3022 to exclude bullion transaction gains/losses from taxable income, updating Section 63-3022A to clarify military retirement pay deductions, and adjusting Sections 63-3024 and 63-3025 for lower income tax rates. The law is retroactive to January 1, 2025, and was signed into law by Governor on March 6, 2025.
S 1002 reduces the fee for a four-year Class D driver's license for Idaho residents aged 63 and older. The bill amends Idaho Code § 49-306 to lower the fee from $35.00 to $30.00 for this specific license type and age group. This change directly affects seniors 63+ who renew their standard non-commercial driver's licenses, providing a $5.00 annual savings on their license fee. The bill passed the Idaho Senate unanimously on March 6, 2025, and is now moving to the House.
H 369 requires Idaho taxing districts to hold public hearings and provide specific notices to property owners before increasing their property tax revenue budget above the previous year's amount, unless the district's budget is under $1 million or the increase comes from new construction/annexation. Taxing districts must publish a notice in a local newspaper (with specific formatting: 18-point font, 1/4-page size) and mail it to all property owners 4 weeks before the budget hearing, detailing the proposed tax rate changes and annual revenue impact. The notice must include clear calculations showing how much taxes would rise per $100,000 of property value for different property types (residential, commercial, etc.). This applies to all taxing districts planning a property tax revenue increase exceeding the prior year's amount, excluding certain revenue sources like new development. The bill aims to ensure transparency and public input before tax hikes.
This Idaho bill requires all public and private K-12 schools to offer a free online parent tech awareness program developed by the state education department. The program educates parents about internet dangers (like phone/computer risks), online threats, children's online behavior, and safety strategies for social media. Schools must inform parents about the program at the start of each school year or during enrollment and obtain a signed acknowledgment of receipt. It directly affects all Idaho parents of K-12 students through their schools' implementation.
This bill revises Idaho's electrical contractor licensing rules to clarify supervision requirements and define key terms. It requires electrical contractors to have licensed residential, journeyman, or master electricians on-site during work hours to supervise installations, and mandates contractors to provide the state with a list of employed journeyman electricians upon request. The bill sets specific supervision ratios: one licensed electrician may oversee up to six apprentices in residential work, or two apprentices in non-residential settings, with exceptions for apprentices nearing completion. It also preempts local governments from imposing stricter electrical licensing rules than the state law.
Idaho's S 1156 amends school funding rules to revise how the School Modernization Facilities Fund distributes money to public school districts. It establishes a fixed annual distribution formula based on each district's average daily attendance (for grades K-12) and bond issuance potential, with a minimum $25,000 per district over 10 years and a maximum $40 million per district over the same period. The bill requires the state to distribute up to $1 billion total, prioritizing rural districts and those with unmet needs after initial allocations, while treating the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind as a school district. This funding mechanism applies only until June 30, 2034.
S 1158, the "Children's Device Protection Act," requires manufacturers of new tablets and smartphones (made on or after January 1, 2026) to install internet filters that block obscene material when devices are activated in Idaho. It mandates automatic filter activation for minors (under 18) during setup, age verification, and password protection to allow temporary deactivation. Manufacturers face civil liability if minors access blocked content due to non-compliant devices, with the Attorney General empowered to seek penalties up to $5,000 per violation. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting device manufacturers and minors using these devices in Idaho.
