This bill requires all infants and newborns in Idaho to be screened for hearing loss before leaving a hospital, health care facility, or birthing facility. For births outside these settings, screening must occur within 21 days of birth. The screening must use approved methods (like otoacoustic emissions) and results must be reported to the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind (IESDB) within seven days. The law is contingent on maintaining federal funding for these screenings, and would not take effect if federal support ends and state costs increase.
H 797 amends Idaho law to change residence requirements for fire protection district commissioners. It now requires commissioners to reside in their specific subdistrict for at least 90 consecutive days before appointment or election (replacing a prior rule requiring one year in the district and 90 days in the subdistrict). This applies directly to individuals seeking or holding commissioner roles in Idaho's fire protection districts. The change clarifies and tightens local residency qualifications for these local government positions.
SJM 114 is a joint memorial from Idaho's legislature urging Congress to pass federal legislation creating a consistent national framework for college athletics. It specifically requests a single national standard for name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation, student-athlete employment rules, and protections for women's and Olympic sports to prevent program cuts. The resolution highlights Idaho's economic reliance on college athletics - citing Boise State University's $350 million annual economic impact - and argues that current regulatory uncertainty threatens public universities and state investments. This procedural resolution does not create law but calls for federal action to restore stability in college sports governance.
H 795 revises Idaho's legal definitions of "obscene material" and "lewd matter" to clarify what constitutes illegal content. The bill updates the definition to specify that material must appeal to a "shameful or morbid interest in sexual matters" when judged by community standards, and explicitly includes depictions of sexual acts, masturbation, or genital exposure as patently offensive. It maintains the exception for material with serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, and clarifies that breastfeeding is not prohibited. This affects publishers, performers, businesses selling such material, and law enforcement by providing clearer standards for enforcement under Idaho law. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.
Idaho's H 711 creates an alternative pathway for school administrators to obtain temporary certification without traditional credentials. It establishes two routes: "grow your own" for experienced Idaho teachers (5+ years) and "executive leadership" for professionals from business/government/military (5+ years in leadership roles). The bill requires school districts to provide 70+ hours of structured mentoring over two years, using existing funds, and mandates competency assessments to address knowledge gaps. Successful completion leads to a standard administrator certificate, directly affecting school districts hiring principals/superintendents and career-changers entering education leadership.
This Idaho bill (S 1270) requires clear labeling for cell-cultivated animal protein products (often called "lab-grown meat"). It mandates that such products display phrases like "lab-grown," "cell-cultivated," or "cell-cultured" prominently on packaging and menus, while prohibiting use of traditional meat terms (e.g., "steak" or "roast") unless authorized by the USDA. The Idaho Department of Agriculture will enforce these rules, conduct inspections, and impose civil penalties up to $500 per violation for non-compliance. The law directly affects manufacturers, producers, and restaurants selling these products, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
This bill creates the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to reimburse school districts and charter schools for special education costs exceeding $30,000 per student with a disability. It covers eligible expenses like therapy, specialized equipment, and nursing services directly tied to an individualized education program (IEP), excluding routine classroom costs. Reimbursement provides up to 100% of costs above $30,000 (capped at $80,000) and 80% above $80,000, with a maximum $100,000 per student annually. Funds are allocated 60% to non-rural and 40% to rural school districts, with annual reports required starting in 2028.
H 585 requires Idaho local governments and inspection divisions to complete electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspections within 48 business hours. If they fail to do so, contractors or homeowners (permit holders) can hire a qualified third-party inspector and receive a full refund of fees paid. The bill also mandates a 10% refund if an inspector fails to provide written reasons for a failed inspection within three business days. This applies to all three systems covered under the bill and takes effect July 1, 2026.
H 666 requires new Idaho residents to apply for an Idaho driver's license, register vehicles, and obtain a vehicle title within 30 days of establishing residency. This applies to all individuals who move to Idaho and establish domicile, including those with out-of-state licenses or registrations. The bill amends Idaho Code sections 49-301 (driver's license), 49-401A (vehicle registration), and 49-502 (vehicle title) to set this 30-day deadline. Failure to comply would be considered an infraction under the law.
H 678 requires anyone setting traps for gray wolves in Idaho to inspect each trap or snare every 72 hours and promptly remove any captured animal. This law directly affects licensed trappers and landowners using traps for wolf control. The bill allows inspections to be done either in person or via remote camera systems with an unobstructed view of the trap. It also permits the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to create implementing rules, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill amends Idaho Code Section 36-1106 to establish these specific trap-checking requirements.
This bill creates a Medicaid exemption from prior approval requirements for healthcare providers who mentor medical students. Practitioners in family medicine, psychiatry, or OB/GYN qualify if they provide 360+ hours of preceptorship (with 60% in rural/underserved areas) to graduate students at Idaho institutions. Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare verifies hours and grants a 12-month exemption starting the next calendar year. The exemption is limited to 100 providers per specialty annually and may be revoked if claims fail risk-based quality reviews.
This bill allows Idaho county sheriffs to seek reimbursement from the Idaho Department of Correction for costs incurred when traveling out-of-state to recapture escaped prisoners, probationers, or parolees. Sheriffs can submit invoices detailing travel, mileage, personnel, overtime, or other reasonable recapture costs after successfully returning individuals to custody. The Department of Correction must pay these claims within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice and will appropriate annual funds for this purpose. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies directly to county sheriff's offices and the Department of Correction.
