This bill (S 1248) repeals Idaho Code §19-5908, which contained outdated language about the Capital Crimes Defense Fund. It is a procedural cleanup measure, not a policy change, aimed at removing obsolete legal references from the Idaho Code. The repeal is part of the Legislature's effort to streamline state laws, as stated in Section 1. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill (S 1249) removes outdated references to "mountain standard time" from Idaho's juvenile detention reimbursement law (Section 20-524A, Idaho Code). It directly affects counties that house juveniles in detention centers by updating the administrative rule for calculating reimbursement periods. The key change is eliminating the obsolete time zone specification, ensuring the law aligns with current time practices without altering how counties are reimbursed for detention costs beyond five days. This is a technical cleanup with no substantive policy change.
H 512 requires Idaho's Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to create and administer a new "open book jurisprudence exam" specifically for surveyor licensing. This bill directly affects individuals seeking surveyor licenses in Idaho, changing the exam format from previous requirements to allow reference materials during the test. The key provision amends existing law (Section 54-1208) to mandate this exam type, which focuses on professional knowledge rather than memorization. The bill does not alter other licensing requirements or the board's broader regulatory authority. The exam will apply to all surveyor applicants starting July 1, 2026.
This Idaho bill (H 551) revises how counties assess property taxes for new construction. It requires counties to include only 90% of the taxable market value increase from new buildings, additions, or manufactured housing in property tax rolls - down from 100% under prior law. Exceptions apply to certain urban renewal areas (80% valuation) and specific cases like electricity generation improvements or previously exempt state university facilities. The change directly affects property owners who build new structures or make significant additions, as it reduces the tax burden on new construction value. The bill also clarifies reporting deadlines for county assessors and the state tax commission.
Idaho's H 518 amends state law to expand the Attorney General's role in combating human trafficking. The bill requires the Attorney General to annually report on state anti-trafficking efforts and recommend actions to eradicate trafficking, develop training materials for law enforcement and victim advocates on identifying and prosecuting trafficking cases, and assist local prosecutors upon request. It also grants the Attorney General authority to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases when requested by law enforcement agencies. These changes directly affect state agencies, prosecutors, law enforcement, and victim advocates by standardizing statewide anti-trafficking efforts. The bill passed unanimously in the Idaho House and takes immediate effect.
This bill repeals eight outdated Idaho Code sections (33-2612 through 33-2619) that governed regional library systems' purpose, boundaries, definitions, board structures, and finances. It removes obsolete provisions related to regional library operations, as part of the Legislature's code cleanup effort to streamline state laws. The repeal has no new policy impact - it only eliminates outdated legal language that no longer applies. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2026, after being introduced in January 2026.
This bill, known as the Idaho Prior Authorization Reform Act, establishes new rules for health insurance companies to streamline the process of approving medical treatments before they are provided. It directly affects health insurance issuers, health care providers, and patients by requiring insurers to create a standardized electronic system for submitting prior authorization requests and limiting how long approvals can take. The legislation ensures that requests are denied only when there is clear evidence that a service is not medically necessary, mandates faster review times for urgent cases, and gives providers the right to appeal adverse decisions. Additionally, the bill exempts certain low-cost services from prior authorization requirements and prohibits insurers from interfering with the doctor-patient relationship by restricting independent medical judgment.
HJM 17 is a symbolic joint memorial from the Idaho Legislature expressing opposition to the Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. It calls on the Supreme Court to reverse that ruling and restore marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman, citing Idaho's 2006 constitutional amendment defining marriage this way. The resolution does not change any laws or affect anyone directly - it is purely a statement of legislative opinion. It has no legal force and is part of standard procedural steps for such non-binding resolutions.
Idaho's H 610 revises the homestead property tax exemption, setting a new limit of the first $125,000 of a home's market value or 50% of that value (whichever is lower) as exempt from taxation. This directly affects Idaho homeowners who occupy their primary residence, requiring them to apply through county assessors with documentation confirming primary occupancy and compliance with uniform appraisal standards. Key provisions include updated application forms, rules for mid-year eligibility changes (prorating taxes based on days of eligibility), and simplified documentation for military homeowners. The bill does not alter the exemption's eligibility criteria but clarifies calculation methods and administrative processes for county assessors.
This bill removes Medicaid eligibility expansion provisions from Idaho law, affecting individuals who previously qualified for expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation repeals specific sections of the Idaho Code that allowed for broader Medicaid eligibility and established limits on legislative approval for such expansions. Key provisions include preventing individuals eligible for Medicaid or health insurance from receiving financial assistance under the expanded program as it existed on March 1, 2022, while allowing applications received through March 31, 2022, to be processed under the prior rules. The bill also directs that any funds saved by counties through these changes may be used for additional aid to public health districts, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2028.
This bill authorizes Idaho's Department of Commerce to use certain tax revenue to award grants to state institutions of higher education for projects that promote economic development or tourism. It updates the department's existing powers to include formally awarding these grants and requires the Travel and Convention Industry Council to review and approve grant requests from universities and nonprofit groups. The funding comes from an existing assessment on the travel and convention industry, with 50% of the funds (after administrative costs) directed to local nonprofit organizations and the remaining portion available for state and regional grant programs. The bill also includes technical corrections to the department's duties and establishes an emergency provision for immediate implementation.
This bill allows Idaho counties, cities, and school districts to publish shorter versions of public notices in newspapers instead of full notices, as long as they include the entity name, a description of the notice, meeting details, and a link or QR code to the full notice online. The abbreviated notices carry the same legal weight as full newspaper notices, but entities must still send the complete notice to the Newspaper Association of Idaho for posting on its website. Local governments retain the option to publish full notices in newspapers if they choose, and the law takes effect on September 1, 2026.
