This bill establishes the Merit-Based Health Care Act in Idaho, which requires healthcare providers participating in Medicaid to make employment and contracting decisions based on merit and professional qualifications rather than ideological or discriminatory practices. The law defines specific prohibited actions, including the use of state Medicaid funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion training or policies that focus on race or sex-based preferences, while explicitly allowing compliance with federal civil rights laws and legitimate clinical training. Healthcare providers who violate these provisions could face civil penalties ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on company size, and the attorney general can investigate complaints from health care professionals who claim retaliation for refusing to participate in prohibited DEI activities.
This bill proposes to amend Idaho's rape sentencing laws by establishing a minimum prison term of five years for rape convictions, with the possibility of extending the sentence to life imprisonment at the judge's discretion. The legislation directly affects individuals convicted of rape in Idaho by setting a new mandatory minimum punishment that replaces previous sentencing guidelines. The bill includes technical corrections to the existing statute and declares an emergency to allow the changes to take effect on July 1, 2026, rather than waiting for the standard legislative timeline.
This bill creates the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and a new committee to manage federal grant money for improving healthcare in rural areas. The fund will hold money from federal grants and can only be used for projects approved under the federal rural health transformation program. A nine-member committee, made up of state legislators and the governor's appointee, will oversee how the money is spent, set rules for funding applications, and track project progress. The committee must also ensure funded projects have sustainability plans and report regularly to the legislature.
This bill establishes a program for state-certified private inspectors to conduct electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspections in Idaho, beginning on July 1, 2030. During a transition period from October 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030, inspections may be performed by either state inspectors or newly certified private individuals. To become certified, applicants must meet existing qualification standards and pass relevant inspection exams, with a maximum application fee of $125. The legislation shifts responsibility for these inspections from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses to private professionals, while maintaining compliance with all applicable building codes.
This bill amends Idaho state laws to update how funds are collected and managed for snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles. It creates a dedicated off-road motor vehicle account to finance facilities, trails, enforcement, and rider education programs, while also establishing a state snowmobile avalanche fund. The bill specifies how registration fees are distributed among state funds, county programs, and administrative costs, and sets up a committee to oversee avalanche safety funding. It affects snowmobile and off-highway vehicle owners, vendors, and state agencies responsible for managing these recreational programs and associated safety initiatives.
H 581 amends Idaho law to give the state legislature the authority to review specific Idaho Supreme Court rules when they conflict with state law or potentially change legal rights. It directly affects the Idaho Supreme Court, which creates court rules, and the legislature, which can now formally notify the court of conflicts via resolution. The bill covers rules related to family law, court administration, and juvenile proceedings, requiring the legislature to advise the court of any conflicts found. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, establishing a formal process for legislative oversight of court rulemaking.
H 686 amends Idaho Code § 18-1359 to revise restrictions on hiring relatives of public officials and add new exemptions. It removes the general ban on appointing relatives within the second degree to public positions paid by public funds, but requires cities with under 10,000 residents to follow strict procedures: publicly posting vacancies for 45 days, documenting outreach, maintaining written records of hiring decisions, and disclosing family relationships. The bill also allows employees already working for a local government before a related official's election to retain their positions and receive standard raises or promotions. This directly affects local government employees, officials, and hiring practices in small Idaho cities.
SCR 120 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Idaho Legislature's support for expanding used nuclear fuel reprocessing research at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). It requests the state work with the federal government to renegotiate the 1995 settlement agreement with the Department of Energy, which limits the amount of used nuclear fuel stored in Idaho, to allow greater processing capacity. The resolution encourages collaboration between state agencies, INL, industry, and academic institutions to develop reprocessing technologies that could convert used fuel into reusable material, while requiring community engagement and adherence to safety standards. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but directs state efforts to advance Idaho's role in nuclear fuel cycle research.
This bill establishes the Public School Digital Content and Curriculum Fund in Idaho's state treasury, administered by the Idaho Department of Education. It provides state funding for public school districts (including specialized programs like the Idaho Bureau of Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind) to purchase digital content, curriculum, and academic text support systems that directly improve student achievement in areas like reading, math, career readiness, and college preparation. School districts must demonstrate how requested funds (capped at $50,000 per request) will help meet measurable student performance targets outlined in their continuous improvement plans, with funding distributed first-come, first-served based on needs-based criteria. The bill also specifies that funds are continuously appropriated and interest earned must be returned to the fund.
Idaho bill H 623 requires all public schools in the state to provide a daily 60-second moment of silence at the start of each school day for all students in every grade. During this time, students may silently reflect, meditate, pray, or engage in other quiet activities without distracting others, but teachers cannot instruct students on what to do during this period. Schools must also notify parents about the policy and encourage parental guidance on student participation. The law applies to all Idaho public schools and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Idaho House Bill H 652 formally designates hunting as the state sport of Idaho through a new law (Section 67-4517, Idaho Code). The bill cites the Legislature’s finding that hunting is historically and culturally significant to Idaho, reflecting constitutional rights to hunt, fish, and trap. This is a symbolic designation with no impact on hunting regulations, rights, or fees - only changing the state’s official recognition. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Idaho's H 698 amends Section 18-310 of the Idaho Code to allow individuals convicted of felonies in other states (excluding treason) to register and vote in Idaho upon completing their sentence (final discharge). This directly affects out-of-state felons who have served their full sentence, granting them voting rights they previously lacked under Idaho law. The bill explicitly states these individuals "shall not have the right restored to ship, transport, possess or receive a firearm" in the same manner as Idaho felons, but does not alter firearm restrictions. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
