Idaho Bills

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.

This bill provides funding to Idaho's State Tax Commission for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating money for personnel, operating expenses, and capital costs across various departments. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts from different state funds, including the General Fund and specialized tax funds, to support general services, compliance activities, and property tax operations. A portion of the 2026 funding is restricted to payments for a specific tax collection vendor, with unused funds returning to the General Fund. The bill includes an emergency declaration to allow immediate implementation of the 2026 funding provisions upon signing.

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 allocates state funding for Idaho's education system for fiscal year 2027, directing money to the State Board of Education, public universities, community colleges, and related agencies. It establishes specific dollar amounts for personnel, operating expenses, and capital outlays for institutions including Boise State, Idaho State, Lewis-Clark State, University of Idaho, and four community colleges. The legislation also sets limits on the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions for certain programs and provides flexibility to transfer funds between expense categories for higher education and health education programs. Additionally, it adjusts student tuition and fees for the upcoming fiscal year and designates funds for standards review, data sharing, and accountability reporting.

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.

H 724 establishes specific safety rights for children in Idaho foster care, including the right to a safe environment, freedom from abuse, timely medical assessments, and consideration of safety during placement changes. The bill requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to provide a written notice of these rights to each child at initial placement, placement changes, and annually, with foster homes required to post the notice. These rights must be addressed within existing court proceedings for foster care cases but do not create new legal claims or enforcement mechanisms. The law aims to ensure foster children’s safety through clear, accessible protections already integrated into current foster care processes.