Idaho Bills

This bill creates the Idaho Child Care Program to help low-income families in Idaho afford child care for their children under 13, or older children with disabilities, while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. The program requires parents to meet specific work or education hour thresholds, such as at least 30 hours per week for one parent in a two-parent household, and sets income limits based on federal poverty guidelines and state median income estimates. It establishes rules for provider qualifications, program oversight, and eligibility redetermination every 12 months, while also defining intentional program violations and creating a waiting list system. The bill includes provisions for using federal and state funds to improve child care quality and capacity building, with an emergency declaration to expedite implementation.

This bill is a joint memorial from the Idaho Legislature requesting federal action to reduce the pelican population in the state. It asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow measures that would curtail the number of pelicans, which the bill claims are overpopulated and consuming more fish than human anglers. The resolution also urges the federal government to compensate Idaho for resource losses attributed to the birds. The document does not create new laws but instead formally requests federal agencies to address what the legislature views as an ecological imbalance.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally expresses the Idaho Legislature's support for wildlife crossings designed to help animals safely cross roads. It recognizes that big game species like deer, elk, and pronghorn need unbroken migration paths to survive and that highway collisions endanger both wildlife and people. The resolution highlights that infrastructure projects such as overpasses and underpasses have successfully reduced wildlife-vehicle accidents and encourages future investments in these crossings where local communities agree. Copies of the resolution are sent to state officials and federal representatives to promote continued efforts in wildlife conservation and public safety.

This bill allocates additional funding to Idaho's Industrial Commission for fiscal year 2027, covering the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The money comes from several existing state funds and is designated for specific purposes including employee compensation, capital projects, trustee and benefit payments, rehabilitation services, and crime victim compensation. The total appropriation amounts to $440,600, with the largest portion going toward compensation expenses. The bill includes an emergency declaration to make the funding effective immediately upon signing.

This bill provides $486,300 in state funding to the Idaho State Historical Society for fiscal year 2027, covering operating expenses and a small amount for capital projects. The money comes from the state's Miscellaneous Revenue Fund and will be used for the society's regular operations and facility improvements. Additionally, the bill allows the society to use leftover funds from the previous year to cover moving costs if they relocate their facilities. The funding becomes available on July 1, 2026, and the bill was signed into law by the governor.

This Idaho bill allocates state funds to the Department of Correction for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with the majority of money designated for operating expenses at various prisons and correctional facilities. The legislation provides specific amounts for management services, prison administration, medical services, and community corrections programs, drawing from funds like the General Fund and Inmate Labor Fund. Additionally, the bill requires the department to conduct a review of community reentry center operations and submit findings to a legislative committee by November 1, 2026, evaluating efficiency, recidivism outcomes, and security considerations.

This bill allocates $963,600 to Idaho's Division of Veterans Services for fiscal year 2027, funding both operating expenses and capital projects from state and federal sources. It reduces the federal grant allocation by $51,000 for operations while allowing unspent funds from the previous year to be reused for specific construction projects at state veterans homes in Boise and Lewiston. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes emergency provisions to ensure immediate implementation of these funding changes.

This bill requires the Idaho Housing and Finance Association to submit annual reports on how it uses federal housing and homelessness assistance funds. Starting July 1, 2026, the association must detail spending, outcomes, and specific data about individuals and households served under two federal programs: the Continuum of Care program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program. The reports will include information on funding amounts, expenses, services provided, and where participants ended up after receiving assistance, while ensuring all personal information is removed to protect privacy. These reports must be sent to the governor and state legislature and made available on a public website by February of each year.

This bill appropriates $25,800 from the Idaho State Lottery Fund for capital improvements during fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for capital outlay purposes, meaning they will be used for physical infrastructure or equipment upgrades rather than operational expenses. The legislation declares an emergency to allow the appropriation to take effect immediately on July 1, 2026, without waiting for the regular budget cycle. Once enacted, the money becomes available for the Idaho State Lottery to use for approved capital projects within the specified fiscal year.

Idaho bill H 573 amends Section 18-3302K to specify who can teach the legal portion of required concealed carry training. It allows only certain qualified individuals - such as active Idaho state bar members, certified retired law enforcement officers, or NRA-certified instructors with at least eight years of experience - to provide instruction on Idaho firearms law and deadly force use. This directly affects applicants seeking enhanced concealed carry licenses, who must complete a qualifying handgun course taught by such approved instructors. The bill modifies existing training requirements to ensure the legal component of the course is delivered by specific, credentialed instructors.

This Idaho bill (S 1286) creates new consumer protections for veterans navigating benefit claims. It directly affects veterans seeking help with claims and non-accredited individuals or companies offering such services. Key provisions require written fee agreements with strict limits (fees capped at five times the monthly benefit increase if successful), ban upfront fees, and mandate clear disclosures that the service is not affiliated with the VA or Idaho Division of Veterans Services. The bill also restricts how personal data (like logins) can be handled and prohibits charging for claims filed within one year of military discharge without written veteran acknowledgment. Accredited VA representatives and attorneys are excluded from these requirements.

This bill (S 1303) renames the "Renewable Energy Resources Fund" to the "Energy Resources Fund" and updates the definition of "renewable energy resources" to specifically include geothermal, wind, and solar power. It does not change how funds are distributed - 10% of federal renewable energy revenue still goes to counties for roads/schools, while 90% continues to flow into the fund. The change is purely technical, clarifying which energy sources qualify under the fund's definition. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.