H 591 repeals Idaho Code Section 31-3502, which previously defined eligibility criteria for financial assistance programs. This change directly affects individuals seeking state financial aid who would have been evaluated under the repealed law. The bill removes the existing eligibility rules but does not establish new requirements or programs. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, as declared an emergency.
This bill revises how Idaho's Professional Standards Commission handles investigations into teachers' alleged unethical conduct. It requires the commission to notify both the complainant and teacher in writing within 14 days if an investigation begins, and mandates that hearings must occur within 90 days of a request. The bill also specifies that hearings must be held in the teacher's school district (or a convenient location for all parties) and clarifies that school districts may resolve some cases locally before commission involvement. These changes directly affect teachers facing complaints, school districts, and the commission staff handling investigations.
HR 23 amends Idaho House Rule 18 to require locking the east wing doors during a "call of the House" (a formal roll call). This affects Idaho House members, ensuring they cannot leave the chamber while the House is in session for roll calls. The key provision locks doors to prevent members from leaving during the roll call process, mandates returning to desks during business, and specifies procedures for tracking and returning absent members. It is a procedural rule change focused on managing attendance during formal House procedures.
H 737 merges Idaho's Office of Species Conservation and Office of Energy and Mineral Resources into a single "Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination" to streamline natural resource management. The new office, led by a governor-appointed administrator, will coordinate state and federal permitting for projects involving species conservation, energy development, and mineral resources, aiming to reduce regulatory burden and improve decision-making timelines. The bill updates multiple Idaho Code sections to establish this office, define key terms like "species" and "mineral," and clarify its role as the state's primary liaison to federal agencies. This consolidation does not create new regulations or approval layers but integrates existing state functions under one administrative structure.
H 697 creates new felony crimes related to election violations in Idaho. It defines three specific offenses: voting illegally (e.g., by someone not entitled to vote or voting multiple times), interfering with elections (e.g., altering ballots or destroying election materials), and tampering with voting machines or tally systems. These provisions replace outdated language and establish clear felony penalties for these actions. The bill directly affects individuals who commit these specific election-related violations, making them subject to criminal prosecution.
H 676 amends Idaho water law to explicitly allow municipalities to secure rights for geothermal water used in heating and cooling systems. It requires municipal applicants to provide detailed documentation on where and how low-temperature geothermal water will be injected back into the ground after use. This update revises application rules and definitions to accommodate geothermal projects while ensuring environmental compliance. The bill passed the Idaho House of Representatives in February 2026 with strong bipartisan support.
H 520 amends Idaho's Administrative Procedure Act (Section 67-5242) to clarify requirements for agency hearing notices and procedures. It requires agencies to provide written notices detailing the action, legal authority, hearing request process, and relevant rules, and mandates that hearing notices include time, place, legal basis, and a plain statement of issues. The bill also updates hearing procedures, requiring presiding officers to ensure full disclosure of facts, allow all parties to present evidence, record hearings, and permit electronic participation. These changes directly affect Idaho state agencies conducting contested case hearings and individuals or entities participating in those hearings. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
This Idaho bill (H 529) allows health insurance policyholders to pay cash directly to providers for covered services at a negotiated discounted price, with that payment counting toward their out-of-pocket deductible and annual maximum. It requires health carriers to count such cash payments toward these limits if the patient negotiated a lower price than the insurance plan’s allowed amount and provides required documentation. The law applies to in-network or out-of-network providers but excludes dental/vision plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and certain short-term policies. Providers must accept cash as full payment and cannot bill patients or insurers for the difference. The provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
Idaho bill H 532 amends vehicle registration and title application rules to clarify identity verification requirements. It requires applicants to provide an Idaho driver's license number, state ID number, Social Security number, or tax ID (for businesses), and submit proof of identity if they lack these documents. The bill specifies that Social Security numbers will no longer appear on registration certificates or title documents, and all applications will remain confidential except as otherwise permitted by law. This directly affects vehicle owners registering or titling vehicles in Idaho.
H 540 amends Idaho's Public Records Act to add new exemptions for certain records held by the Department of Juvenile Corrections. The bill specifically exempts records containing victim/witness identifying information, juvenile movement details, presentence investigations, and other sensitive materials from public disclosure. These changes directly affect juveniles in the correction system, their families, and victims by limiting public access to their personal information. The bill expands existing confidentiality protections under Section 74-105, Idaho Code, without altering disclosure rules for school districts or court proceedings involving juveniles.
This bill (H 544) increases the annual paid leave entitlement for Idaho state employees serving in the National Guard or military reserves from 120 to 160 hours. It directly affects state employees who are active military members, ensuring they can take leave for duty without losing pay or job standing. The bill also clarifies that employees with irregular schedules ("uncommon tours of duty") will receive prorated leave based on their regular biweekly hours, aligning with federal guidelines. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
Idaho bill H 541 amends state law to strengthen penalties for using digital communication to target minors. It revises the definition of "child" to include individuals aged 16-17 if the perpetrator is at least five years older, and expands coverage to all communication devices (not just the internet) used to solicit or entice minors into sexual acts. The law removes the requirement for prosecutors to prove an actual sexual act occurred, making it a felony to merely attempt such enticement. This affects individuals using digital means to target minors, with penalties up to 15 years in prison.
