Idaho's S 1072 creates a new "Too Great for Hate" special license plate option for drivers. The bill adds Section 49-420T to Idaho law, establishing an initial $35 fee and $25 annual fee for this plate, with funds deposited into the state highway account to cover program administration costs. This plate directly affects Idaho residents who choose to display the anti-hate message on their vehicle registration, providing an optional alternative to existing special plates. The bill does not change vehicle registration fees or require any specific group to use the plate.
H 164 establishes the Idaho Education Opportunity Program (IEOP), providing state-funded financial support for eligible Idaho students. It creates accounts administered by the State Department of Education to cover qualified educational expenses - including tuition at approved schools, textbooks, transportation, and assistive technology - for students who have attended Idaho public schools for at least 90 days (with limited exceptions) and reside in the state. Funds come from legislative appropriations, donations, and interest, and cannot be drawn from the public education stabilization fund. The program explicitly excludes entertainment devices and homeschooling students from eligibility, and requires parents to apply annually by June 15.
Idaho's H 162 would require daily, uninterpreted Bible reading in all public school classrooms using the King James, New King James, or Revised Standard Bible versions. It mandates that schools complete reading the entire Bible sequentially over 10 years, without teacher commentary or student discussion during readings. The bill provides exemptions for teachers who object on religious grounds (replaced by another staff member) and for students whose parents submit written requests. This policy directly affects all Idaho public school students and teachers, with implementation set for July 1, 2025.
Idaho's S 1059 defines a "preborn child" as a living human being from fertilization, expanding criminal and civil protections to embryos and fetuses. It amends laws to include preborn children in wrongful death suits and crimes like aggravated battery (Section 18-907) and homicide (Sections 18-926 and 18-4018), removing prior exemptions for abortions, medical treatments, and maternal actions. The bill specifies that these provisions apply only prospectively (not retroactively) and exempts unintentional fetal death from life-saving medical procedures or miscarriages. It repeals Section 18-4016, which previously prohibited prosecuting certain abortion-related actions. The law aims to align legal protections for preborn children with those for born individuals under Idaho's equal protection clauses.
This Idaho bill (S 1060) establishes new rules for water distribution between districts. It prohibits reducing surface water use in one district to satisfy claims from another district unless affected users can seek relief within their own district. The bill requires both surface and groundwater districts to be fully operational before applying the "first in time, first in right" priority system and conjunctive management rules to all water sources. It directly affects water users and districts managing cross-district claims, effective July 1, 2025.
H 167 amends Idaho's eminent domain law to allow the use of eminent domain for building electric distribution and transmission lines, but only if at least 75% of the electricity generated from those lines is sold to Idaho consumers at state market rates. This directly affects utility companies seeking to expand power infrastructure and property owners whose land may be taken for these projects. The key provision adds a specific requirement to the list of authorized eminent domain uses, ensuring most generated electricity benefits Idaho residents. The bill, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, also includes technical corrections to existing law.
H 155 creates two new offenses in Idaho law: "impeding a strategic facility" (blocking operations causing damage) and "strategic facility trespass" (entering without permission). It applies to critical infrastructure like power plants, water treatment facilities, pipelines, and refineries - defined in detail within the bill. Penalties range from misdemeanor fines up to $1,000 for first-time trespass to felony charges with up to 10 years in prison for repeat offenses or significant damage. Exceptions include property owners, legal challenges, and bona fide access disputes, while protecting constitutionally protected free speech on public land.
H 154 amends Idaho's building code to allow live virtual inspections for most construction projects (excluding buildings three stories or taller), requiring inspectors to verify locations during the inspection. It sets a 15-business-day deadline for inspections; if missed, permit holders can hire a certified third-party inspector at the government's expense. The bill also requires a 10% refund of fees if an inspection fails without a written explanation provided within three days. These changes aim to improve efficiency and accountability in building code enforcement, effective July 1, 2025.
S 1065 prohibits unauthorized weather modification (such as cloud seeding for precipitation enhancement) and solar radiation management activities within Idaho, classifying violations as misdemeanors punishable by law. It defines key terms like "cloud seeding" and "solar radiation management" to clarify the scope of the ban and authorizes all state law enforcement officers to enforce the prohibition. The bill exempts cloud seeding operations already authorized by the Idaho Water Resources Board under existing water law. It repeals outdated sections related to weather modification districts and funds, updating Idaho Code to reflect this new regulatory framework.
This Idaho bill (S 1057) expands the state's $205 nonrefundable child tax credit to include "preborn children" (defined as pregnancies diagnosed during the tax year without a live birth that year). To claim the credit for a preborn child, taxpayers must provide a physician's letter certifying the pregnancy diagnosis and lack of delivery to term. The credit applies only to Idaho residents and includes specific rules for divorced parents (mothers claim the credit for preborn children) and standard custody provisions for born children. The bill retroactively applies to January 1, 2025, and requires the credit to be claimed by the mother or the dependent claiming the child.
This bill amends Idaho's county solid waste disposal laws to clarify definitions and add requirements for implementing "flow control" (rules directing waste haulers to specific disposal sites). It directly affects county governments by mandating that any county enacting flow control must first complete an independent study analyzing financial impacts, liability risks, environmental compliance, and alternatives. Key provisions require counties to demonstrate through detailed analysis how flow control protects public investment, prevents underutilized facilities, and ensures waste is managed compliantly. The bill also makes technical corrections to existing definitions and references in waste disposal statutes.
Idaho's S 1055 prohibits credit and debit card networks from charging merchants fees on the tax or tip portions of electronic payments when those amounts are listed separately on receipts. It requires payment networks to either deduct these fees at settlement or refund them within 30 days if merchants provide tax/tip documentation within 180 days. The law applies to all merchants using card payments for taxable items (like sales tax, hotel tax, or tips) and takes effect January 1, 2026. Violations carry a $1,000 penalty per transaction.
