This bill amends Idaho's oil and gas conservation commission structure and authority. It requires the commission to include four appointed members with specific expertise (e.g., geoscience/engineering, mineral interest owners, land use specialists) and clarifies that local governments cannot prohibit oil/gas extraction or related infrastructure, though they may impose reasonable regulations for public health, safety, or property protection. The commission gains exclusive authority over oil/gas regulation, rescinding prior delegations to other local or state bodies. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, impacting oil/gas producers, local governments, and commission members.
This bill revises salary schedules for all Idaho judges, effective July 2025. It increases Supreme Court justices' salaries starting July 2024 ($169,508 annually), with further raises in 2026 ($190,882), 2027 ($202,704), and 2028 ($215,353). Court of appeals judges will earn $8,000 less than Supreme Court justices starting July 2023, district judges $6,000 less than court of appeals judges (since 2017), and magistrate judges $8,000 less than district judges (since 2023). The changes apply to all judicial positions covered under the Idaho Code.
Idaho's H 88 bill changes the law to make soliciting commercial sexual activity a felony for second or subsequent offenses. It directly affects individuals who pay for or arrange sexual acts for payment, upgrading penalties from a misdemeanor (with a 5-day jail minimum) to a felony. The bill specifies that offering money for sexual contact or arranging such acts for payment will now carry felony charges upon repeat violations. It includes a technical correction to the existing law and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Idaho's S 1123 prohibits public colleges and universities from using identity characteristics (like race, gender, or sexual orientation) in hiring, admissions, or student support decisions, and bans DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) offices or initiatives. It requires institutions to ensure merit-based opportunities, report violations to the state board of education, and face fines of $10,000 to $50,000 per violation (with funds redirected to merit-based scholarships). The law explicitly excludes compliance with federal law and protects programs supporting federally recognized American Indian students. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
This Idaho bill requires the Secretary of State to investigate false claims made about election candidates during campaigns. If a claim is proven false, the Secretary must post findings online within 7 days (or 48 hours if within two weeks of an election), giving the publisher time to respond. It directly affects candidates reporting misinformation and publishers spreading false claims via any medium (phone, internet, etc.). The law aims to address election misinformation by making the Secretary’s findings publicly available quickly.
Idaho's H 302 amends wildlife relocation rules to require the Fish and Game director to notify county commissioners, landowners, and grazing permittees before relocating bighorn sheep for population augmentation. If concerns are raised in writing within 10 days of notice, the department must hold a hearing within 30 days. The bill also mandates written agreements with affected landowners acknowledging disease transmission risks between bighorn sheep and livestock. These provisions apply specifically to bighorn sheep transplants, not general wildlife. The bill aims to balance wildlife management with input from local stakeholders affected by relocation projects.
Idaho's H 296 requires state pension funds, university endowments, and other public investment accounts (called "state-managed funds") to sell all holdings in companies tied to designated foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea by June 30, 2026. The bill prohibits new investments in such entities and mandates a state audit by January 2026 to identify restricted companies. It defines "foreign adversaries" using federal standards (15 CFR 791.4) and sets a 0.05% cap for any remaining holdings. This law directly affects public retirement systems, university investments, and state government funds managing public money.
H 308 amends Idaho's campaign finance laws to increase transparency for voters. It requires candidates, political action committees (PACs), and political parties to disclose who funds their campaigns - including banning foreign contributions and requiring ads to identify their sponsor. The bill creates new reporting rules for campaign finances, establishes roles for political treasurers, and mandates that polls about candidates reveal who paid for them. These changes directly affect all candidates running for Idaho state or local office, PACs, and political committees participating in elections.
H 297 establishes Idaho's state-level Guest Worker Program, allowing year-round agricultural employers (like dairy farms) to hire undocumented workers through a state-administered permit system. The bill requires applicants to be 18+, reside in Idaho, have no felony convictions, and pay state/federal taxes, while prohibiting driving on public roads. Employers must apply for "permitted employer" status, and the Idaho Department of Labor administers the program, including background checks and permit renewals. The program aims to address labor shortages in sectors not covered by federal H-2A visas, with provisions effective January 2026.
Idaho's H 287, the "Electronic Monitoring Devices in Long-Term Care Facilities Act," allows residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to authorize installation of cameras or audio devices in their private rooms. Residents or their designated health care agents must complete facility forms, pay all costs (excluding electricity), and ensure the room is unshared. The law requires facilities to protect privacy by covering sensitive body areas during monitoring and prohibits staff or others from accessing recordings without authorization. Violations by facilities can result in civil penalties up to $500 per offense, while unauthorized access to recordings is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 or jail time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 281, the "Bolter-Stall Defend the Defender Act," increases penalties for crimes against peace officers, including police, sheriffs, and other law enforcement personnel. It mandates a 15-year minimum prison term (with possible life) for assault or battery against peace officers, doubles penalties for other crimes against them, and requires a minimum 35-year sentence without parole eligibility for murder of a peace officer. The bill applies specifically to incidents where the perpetrator knew the victim was a peace officer while they were on duty or due to their official status. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 166 allows governmental entities (like cities, counties, school districts, and state agencies) to publish required public notices electronically on the state controller’s website instead of in print newspapers. It also permits abbreviated newspaper notices containing a web link to the full notice, with the same legal effect as traditional print publications. The bill requires notices to meet the same timing and content standards as print notices and mandates that the state controller’s website provide free public access to all electronic notices by 2027, including subscription options for meeting notices. Implementation phases begin in 2026 for basic access and fully operational by 2027. This change aims to modernize public notice systems while maintaining legal validity and accessibility.
