This Idaho bill (H 7) amends state law to establish new penalties for marijuana possession based on quantity. It specifies that possessing three ounces or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum $300 fine for adults 18 or older, while possession exceeding three ounces becomes a felony. The law changes the previous penalty structure by creating this clear distinction, adding the $300 minimum fine for smaller amounts under subsection (e). The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting individuals caught with marijuana in Idaho.
This Idaho bill (H 230) creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals harmed by indecent sexual exhibitions - public displays of sexual activity - when minors are reasonably at risk of exposure. It allows victims to seek damages from people or entities that engage in such exhibitions, based on court precedents that limit First Amendment protection for indecent conduct near children. The law establishes a legal remedy (not criminal penalties) for these incidents, focusing on protecting minors from exposure to patently offensive sexual displays. It aligns with Idaho's existing laws against sexually explicit material harmful to minors.
Idaho's H 35 requires all state agencies, including departments and institutions of higher education, to implement cybersecurity best practices and use two-step login verification (multifactor identification) for accessing government IT systems. This includes securing email, cloud storage, databases, and networks for all state employees. The law also specifically mandates the legislative branch, judicial branch, and elected constitutional officers to adopt the same security measures for their staff. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and defines "multifactor identification" as requiring two different verification methods, such as a password plus a security token or biometric scan.
S 1129 creates a new legal remedy for Idaho residents who face government actions significantly interfering with their religious practices or freedom of speech. It requires government entities to prove that any restriction on these rights is necessary for a compelling interest and the least restrictive option available. The bill caps noneconomic damages at $20,000 and attorney fees at $25,000 in such cases. This law supplements existing protections without replacing other legal avenues for redress.
HCR 13 is a procedural resolution authorizing a study of Idaho’s involuntary commitment laws. It directs the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to review how the state handles the custody, care, and treatment of people with mental illnesses, neurocognitive disorders, or traumatic brain injuries under existing laws (Idaho Code Titles 18, 56, and 66). The committee will gather input from experts like medical providers and health officials, but cannot make policy changes itself. Its report will recommend potential updates to these laws for the next legislative session. This resolution does not change current law but sets up a formal review process.
Idaho's S 1127 establishes legal rules for using gold and silver coins/bullion as payment. It defines terms, sets dollar values based on metal weight and market rates, and requires the state controller to publish daily exchange ratios. The bill allows residents and businesses to pay certain taxes, fees, and debts using gold/silver coins or bullion (e.g., contracts can include "gold clauses" for payment), while prohibiting state seizure of these metals. It directly affects Idaho taxpayers, businesses entering contracts, and state agencies handling payments. The law does not make gold/silver mandatory currency but creates a framework for its use as legal tender under specific conditions.
H 320 requires Idaho legislative candidates, current legislators, and newly elected members to publicly report travel outside Idaho paid for by others. This includes details like destination, dates, purpose, cost, and the name of the person or entity covering the expenses - excluding travel paid through campaign funds or personal money. Failure to report within 30 days incurs a $25 daily late fee, deposited into the public school fund. The law aims to increase transparency in government by making third-party travel funding visible to the public. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.
S 1062 amends Idaho law to establish new requirements for commercial leases on state endowment trust lands. The bill requires commercial lessees (such as businesses, developers, or renewable energy projects) to comply with local zoning and planning ordinances, and mandates that the state land board consult with county commissioners and hold public hearings before approving leases over 20 years. It defines "commercial purposes" to include activities like retail, offices, or renewable energy facilities (excluding farming, grazing, or residential leases) and requires lessees to disclose certain information. The law also sets maximum lease terms (up to 49 years for commercial use) and ensures lease revenues are subject to public disclosure. These changes directly affect commercial land users, county governments, and the state land board's leasing process.
H 306 repeals Idaho's existing libel law and creates a new criminal offense for publishing false statements about others with "actual malice" (knowing they are false or disregarding their truth). It defines criminal libel as a felony punishable by up to $100,000 in fines, five years in prison, or both, and requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to victims for specific costs like lost wages or legal fees. The law primarily affects people who spread malicious falsehoods online or otherwise, with county prosecutors handling most cases and the Attorney General overseeing cases involving state officials' conduct. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill aims to address reputational harm caused by false statements amplified through social media.
H 309 replaces Idaho's entire existing lobbying regulatory framework by repealing all current sections governing lobbyists and establishing a new Chapter 7 in Title 74. The bill requires lobbyists to register, mandates regular reporting of activities and communications, and sets new standards for state entities reporting lobbying efforts. It directly affects professional lobbyists, government officials, and state agencies by creating uniform registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements. Key provisions include defining key terms, establishing enforcement mechanisms, and setting penalties for noncompliance, all aimed at increasing transparency in lobbying activities. The bill does not change substantive policy but overhauls the administrative system for tracking lobbying influence.
This bill adjusts Idaho judges' salaries by setting specific yearly amounts for different court levels starting in 2024. Supreme court justices' pay increases from $169,508 (effective July 2024) to $207,655 (effective July 2027), while lower court judges receive fixed amounts $6,000-$8,000 less than higher courts (e.g., district judges earn $6,000 less than court of appeals judges). The changes take effect July 1, 2025, as declared an emergency by the legislature.
H 303 establishes that manufacturers or sellers of agricultural products (used in growing food or fiber) are presumed to have met their legal duty to warn consumers about risks if they follow required warnings from Idaho or federal laws backed by scientific evaluation. The bill directly affects agricultural product manufacturers and sellers by shifting the burden of proof in product liability cases: a warning is considered sufficient unless a plaintiff provides peer-reviewed scientific evidence showing the required warning lacked scientific support and the seller knew this. Key provisions require warnings to be based on scientific evaluation, issued per law, and given as required, with rebuttals needing rigorous academic validation. This changes how courts assess liability claims related to agricultural product warnings in Idaho, effective July 1, 2025.
