Idaho Bills

Idaho's H 543 amends the state's public employee retirement system to revise rules for voluntary tax-deferred savings plans. It allows active Idaho state employees to make pre-tax or Roth contributions through payroll deductions, separate from their main retirement benefits. Key provisions clarify contribution limits across multiple plans, require employer coordination to avoid exceeding federal limits, and specify that these supplemental savings do not count toward regular retirement benefit calculations. The bill affects all active state employees eligible for the supplemental retirement plan.

This Idaho bill (S 1239) amends the legal definition of "daycare" to align with Idaho Code Chapter 39, which governs licensed daycare facilities. It clarifies that the existing restrictions on registered sex offenders near schools and daycare properties apply specifically to licensed daycares, including those permitted or approved by local governments. The change ensures consistency between the sex offender law and the licensing definition but does not alter the prohibited behaviors (such as being within 500 feet of daycare grounds) or existing exceptions. The bill is procedural and does not create new restrictions or penalties.

This bill requires courts to collect a DNA sample and thumbprint from individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to a "serious crime" (defined as felonies, attempts to commit felonies, certain sex offenses, misdemeanor domestic violence, or sexual battery) at the time of sentencing. It revises the definition of "serious crime" to include specific offenses and clarifies that collection is mandatory regardless of prior DNA collection or the sentence type. The bill replaces outdated procedures with new rules specifying who must collect samples, when it must occur (post-conviction), and where it should take place, while ensuring these requirements apply to all qualifying offenders, including those on probation or under sex offender registration.

This bill (H 558) requires Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare to determine within 60 days (and annually) whether children in its legal custody are eligible for federal benefits like Social Security or veterans' benefits. If eligible, the department must apply for these benefits and may serve as the child's representative payee, managing funds exclusively for the child's needs (not state costs) and providing annual reports on fund usage. It also mandates a "success sequence" plan allowing children to access portions of benefits upon achieving milestones like graduating high school, securing employment, or completing financial literacy training. Upon leaving state custody, remaining funds must be released directly to the child (if 18+) or their parent/guardian (if under 18).

H 511 revises the surcharge for improved forest parcels on private land in Idaho, capping it at $100 per parcel (previously ranging up to $100). It directly affects private forest landowners who maintain improved parcels, requiring them to pay this annual surcharge to fund wildfire preparedness. The bill also updates assessment rules for forest landowners (65¢ per acre for over 26 acres, minimum $25 for 25 acres or less) and establishes a wildfire equipment replacement fund. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, following its passage by the Idaho House (46-22) on February 4, 2026.

This bill revises Idaho's licensing requirements for certified public accountants (CPAs). It increases the minimum education requirement from prior standards to 150 semester hours (or 225 quarter hours) in accounting, auditing, and business, including a bachelor's degree. It also establishes new practice privileges for out-of-state CPAs licensed in other states, replacing the repealed "substantial equivalency" rule with a new reciprocity provision. The changes directly affect current and prospective CPAs seeking Idaho licensure and the Idaho State Board of Accountancy managing these requirements.

This bill (S 1314) updates Idaho's administrative structure for health and welfare services by removing outdated references to the "Board of Health and Welfare" and replacing them with the "Department of Health and Welfare" in state law. It repeals obsolete sections about regional behavioral health boards and updates rules governing the department's internal operations, including how officials are appointed and referenced in legal documents. The changes streamline the department's governance without altering public health services or creating new citizen-facing policies. This is primarily an organizational update to modernize the state's health and welfare administrative framework.

Idaho's H 583 restricts local governments from banning short-term rentals or imposing most specific regulations on them, such as owner occupation requirements, professional management mandates, or rental day limits. It allows only basic safety measures (like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers) and requires counties/cities to treat short-term rentals equally with standard residential properties under zoning and building codes. The bill also prohibits local taxes on rental marketplaces (like Airbnb), instead requiring these platforms to collect and remit state and local lodging taxes to the state tax commission for distribution to local governments. This directly affects short-term rental owners, property managers, and online platforms operating in Idaho.

This Idaho bill (H 500) updates traffic laws to explicitly include human-powered vehicles, bicycles, and electric-assisted bicycles under existing motor vehicle regulations. It requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid collisions with these vehicles and gives riders the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers (except where impractical). Key provisions ban riding without a permanent seat, limit passenger capacity to the vehicle's design, and allow secure child carriers. The changes apply to all riders of these vehicles and take effect July 1, 2026.

Idaho's H 531 amends school medication policies to improve access to epinephrine for students with severe allergies. It allows students to self-administer epinephrine auto-injectors and requires schools to maintain stock supplies for emergency use by trained staff. The bill mandates staff training on recognizing allergic reactions, proper storage/administration, and reporting incidents. It also provides legal protection for schools and staff acting reasonably during emergencies, while requiring prescriptions for student-specific use. This directly affects students with life-threatening allergies, school nurses, and designated school personnel.

H 528 allows Idaho patients to use their own blood or blood from a donor they specifically choose (a "directed donor") for transfusions, provided the blood is collected by a federally compliant blood establishment. Healthcare providers cannot block this option unless the blood use would be unsafe, time-sensitive, or for an emergency. The bill also shields providers from liability for injuries from using this blood, unless their gross negligence caused harm. This law, effective July 1, 2026, does not override federal blood donation rules.

H 594 revises Idaho's property tax rules to ensure late fees and interest on overdue payments are distributed proportionally to local taxing districts (like cities, schools, and road districts). It requires county tax collectors to remit all late charges and interest to county auditors, who must then allocate these funds in the same ratio as each district's share of regular property tax revenue. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all property tax collections handled by county tax collectors and auditors.