This Idaho bill (H 184) creates a new criminal offense for "domestic terrorism" within the state. It defines domestic terrorism as violent acts or threats intended to harm people, intimidate communities, or influence government policy - while cooperating with foreign terrorist organizations or using weapons of mass destruction. The law applies to individuals who commit such acts, conspire to commit them, or provide material support for them. Violations carry penalties of up to life in prison or fines up to $50,000, depending on the offense. The bill explicitly states it does not interfere with constitutional rights like peaceful assembly or free speech.
Idaho's H 178, the "Protecting Campus Free Speech in Higher Education Act," requires public colleges and universities to protect students' free speech rights. It bans "free speech zones" that restrict where students can express themselves outdoors, prohibits schools from charging security fees based on speech content, and mandates clear harassment policies defining harassment as severe, pervasive, and offensive conduct that blocks educational access. The law also requires institutions to educate students on free speech policies through handbooks, websites, and orientation, and to report compliance details by December 2025. This directly affects all public higher education institutions in Idaho and their enrolled students.
Idaho's S 1081 amends state law to require public agencies and political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and state departments) to consider contractor fees when selecting firms for professional services contracts exceeding $50,000. The bill mandates that agencies include fee schedules in their evaluation, allowing fees to count toward up to 25% of the total scoring for selection, alongside qualifications and past performance. Agencies must publish scoring criteria, ranked lists of qualified firms, and the rationale for selections to ensure transparency. This applies specifically to engineering, architecture, construction management, and land surveying services, while smaller projects under $50,000 remain exempt from these fee considerations.
H 193 requires Idaho's Water Resource Board to set a specific annual goal of at least 350,000 acre-feet for replenishing the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer through managed recharge in the state's water plan. This policy change directly affects state water planning processes and the board's responsibilities, aiming to address long-term aquifer sustainability. The bill establishes a concrete, measurable target for water management rather than altering water rights or regulations for individuals or businesses. It becomes effective on July 1, 2025, following its introduction in February 2025.
This Idaho bill (S 1100) prohibits law enforcement from stopping, questioning, or searching people solely because they ride a motorcycle or wear motorcycle-related gear. It requires all state and local police departments to create written policies banning this practice and distribute them to every officer. The law also mandates that basic officer training include instruction on these policies. The bill applies statewide to all law enforcement agencies and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
This resolution supports Idaho public schools' voluntary use of PragerU Kids' free supplemental educational materials for K-12 students. It declares legislative backing for these resources - available online with full transparency - without making them mandatory for teachers or schools. The resolution notes Idaho is the ninth state to adopt these materials, which the State Department of Education has approved for classroom use. It does not change school curricula or funding, as the resources remain optional for educators.
This bill (H 192) changes how Idaho allocates deer and elk hunting tags for nonresidents. It requires the Fish and Game Commission to set aside 25% of nonresident deer and elk tags for hunters using licensed guides (outfitted hunters), separate from regular nonresident and resident allocations. The bill establishes specific rules for distributing these set-aside tags, including using historical hunting data to determine allocations and requiring outfitters to verify tag use by December 20 each year. These changes directly affect nonresident hunters, licensed outfitters, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, which implements the new allocation system.
Idaho's H 203, the Idaho Competition Act, prohibits certain uses of pricing algorithms that could reduce competition. It directly affects businesses and service providers (like tech platforms) using algorithms to set prices or commercial terms for similar goods or services. The bill bans algorithms that incorporate nonpublic data from multiple sellers/buyers, facilitate anti-competitive price agreements, or misrepresent pricing without authorization. Exceptions include market research using public data and government price caps. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 179 requires parental permission for any school instruction addressing "human sexuality," defined broadly to include topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual behavior. Schools must notify parents two weeks in advance, provide content details, and obtain written permission before such instruction begins; students without permission receive alternative education not covering these topics. The bill creates a $250 statutory penalty for schools that fail to secure permission or provide adequate alternatives, with parents able to sue school boards for violations. This directly affects Idaho public school students, parents, and school districts implementing sex education curriculum.
This Idaho bill (S 1085) revises fees for recreational vehicles and establishes an off-highway vehicle law enforcement program. It adjusts fee amounts for boat registration (e.g., $20-$21 for vessels under 12 feet) and adds handling fees, while repealing an outdated off-road vehicle account and creating a new one to manage these fees. The bill directly affects boat owners, off-highway vehicle users, and state agencies administering these fees. Key provisions include updated fee structures, requirements for validation stickers, and a new enforcement program for off-highway vehicles.
This bill increases penalties for crimes committed against peace officers in Idaho. It adds a mandatory 15-year prison sentence for assault or battery on a peace officer, and requires a minimum 35-year sentence without parole for murder of a peace officer. For other crimes against protected personnel (like correctional officers or emergency dispatchers), penalties are doubled. The law applies when the perpetrator knows the victim is a peace officer or other designated official while they’re performing duties.
S 1098 establishes Idaho's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, creating an alternative pathway for prospective teachers to earn certification and a bachelor's degree through supervised on-the-job training with mentor teachers (licensed educators with 3+ years experience) combined with academic coursework. It directly affects aspiring teachers (apprentices), mentor teachers, and school districts by replacing the traditional requirement for a bachelor's degree with this apprenticeship model, while exempting apprentices from standard certification during program completion. Key provisions include requiring mentor teachers to guide apprentices without evaluating them, allowing mentor compensation beyond base salary, and amending certification rules to accept program completion as equivalent to a four-year degree. The program requires federal labor department approval and takes effect July 1, 2025.
