Idaho Bills

This bill (H 491) expands legal protection for people who provide emergency first aid without compensation. It ensures individuals offering good-faith first aid - including mental health or suicide crisis support - in accidents or emergencies cannot be sued for civil damages, unless proven grossly negligent. The immunity ends when care is transferred to a hospital, medical professional, or ambulance staff. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all Idaho residents receiving such aid.

This bill amends Idaho Code Section 67-7028 to clarify that county sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are primarily responsible for enforcing the Safe Boating Act. It specifies that law enforcement officers may stop and board vessels based on reasonable suspicion of a violation. The change directly affects sheriffs (as enforcers) and boaters (subject to enforcement actions), but does not alter prohibited boating activities or penalties. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2026, after being declared an emergency.

H 562 amends Idaho's insurance laws to update notice requirements for insurers when canceling or not renewing commercial property and liability insurance policies. The bill requires insurers to provide policyholders with specific advance notice (30-60 days for most cancellations, 45-60 days for nonrenewals) based on the reason, including 10 days for nonpayment of premium. It also mandates written notice 30 days before any premium increase exceeding 10% due to rate changes, deductibles, or reduced coverage. These changes directly affect Idaho commercial insurers and their business policyholders. The bill does not alter the grounds for cancellation but clarifies the timing and content of required notices.

This Idaho bill amends reckless driving laws to clarify specific dangerous driving scenarios: it adds penalties for exceeding speed limits by 20+ mph in school/construction zones and for passing when sight distance is restricted. It also creates "inattentive driving" as a separate, lesser offense (max $300 fine or 90 days jail) for less severe cases, while maintaining stricter penalties for true reckless driving (up to $2,000 fine or 1 year jail for repeat offenses within 5 years). The bill directly affects drivers who commit these specific violations, particularly repeat offenders. The changes aim to better categorize driving behaviors and adjust penalties accordingly, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

This bill allocates $4,998,400 to Idaho's Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027, funding administrative operations through a combination of general fund and federal grant money. It simultaneously reduces the office's general fund appropriation by $510,500 and cuts four full-time equivalent positions from the office's authorized staffing level. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and was signed into law by the Governor.

This bill allocates $310,800 to Idaho's Military Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, funding operational expenses and trustee benefit payments for military management programs. It also transfers $17,800 from the General Fund to the Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Fund to reimburse costs related to emergency management activities. The legislation declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation of the fund transfer while the main appropriations take effect on July 1, 2026.

This bill allocates $1,368,700 in state funding to Idaho's four community colleges for fiscal year 2027, with specific amounts designated for personnel and operating expenses at each institution. The legislation also reduces the total appropriation by $245,500 from the previous year's funding levels across the same colleges. The funds are distributed through the State Board of Education's General Fund and become effective on July 1, 2026.

This bill allocates state funding to Idaho's Division of Career Technical Education for the Secondary and General Programs program over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides $1,877,300 for the 2026-2027 period and $957,600 for the 2025-2026 period, both drawn from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund. The money is designated specifically for trustee and benefit payments related to the program. The legislation includes an emergency declaration to allow Section 2 to take effect immediately upon signing, while Section 1 becomes active on July 1, 2026.

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 $13.1 million in funding to Idaho's Legislative Branch for fiscal year 2027, covering the Legislative Services Office and the Office of Performance Evaluations. The money comes from various state funds, including the General Fund, and is designated for personnel costs and operating expenses. The bill also allows these offices to transfer funds between expense categories without restrictions, while prohibiting transfers between different state funds unless the Legislature approves them. Additionally, it permits unused money from the American Rescue Plan Act recovery fund to be reused for nonrecurring technology expenses. The funding becomes effective on July 1, 2026.