Idaho Bills

H 130 amends Idaho property tax law to expand exemptions for qualifying hospitals, directly affecting nonprofit hospitals, county hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, and hospital districts. The bill allows these facilities to exclude real property and medical equipment from property taxes if they meet specific requirements, including proving 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and providing community benefit reports. During construction of new hospital facilities, only the bare land is taxed while improvements remain exempt for up to three years. Hospitals using property for unrelated business activities exceeding 3% of total value may lose exemption, and larger hospitals (150+ beds) must file annual community benefit reports detailing charity care and services. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

This Idaho bill (S 1213) allocates $5 million from the General Fund to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Central Services for fiscal year 2026, specifically for statewide early literacy training. It requires the State Department of Education to provide mandatory professional development on the science of reading to all K-3 teachers on a three-year cycle, prioritizing underperforming schools (bottom 25% by reading scores). The funds also support literacy coaches and may include "pay for success" models for struggling schools. A report on fund distribution and results must be submitted to the Legislative Services Office by January 5, 2026.

Idaho's S 1181 revises public defense laws to clarify when the State Public Defender must provide services for indigent defendants. Key changes include requiring the State Public Defender to limit services to specific cases (per Section 19-6009), mandating a statewide plan to transition county-run offices to state-owned facilities by 2029 (Section 1), and adjusting transcript fees for indigent defendants (Section 1-1105). The bill directly affects indigent defendants, the State Public Defender’s office, and county public defense systems by restructuring service eligibility and funding requirements. It was signed into law on April 14, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Idaho's H 109 requires the Director of Health and Welfare to seek a federal waiver excluding candy and soda from SNAP benefits. The bill defines "candy" as sugar-based treats without flour (like candy bars) and "soda" as sweetened nonalcoholic drinks (excluding milk, juice, or ready-to-prepare beverages). If the waiver is granted, SNAP recipients in Idaho cannot use benefits to buy these items; if denied, the state must reapply annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, following Governor approval on April 15, 2025. This policy directly affects SNAP beneficiaries and the state's administration of federal nutrition benefits.

This bill appropriates $7.23 million for Idaho's public colleges and universities for fiscal year 2026, allocating funds to institutions like Boise State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho. It includes $4 million in operating expenditure reductions and mandates specific new requirements: transparency for Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine negotiations, $1 million for water research via the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, a transition to outcomes-based funding by 2028, and DEI compliance audits for all public universities. The funding details and new provisions are codified in the bill's sections, effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects Idaho's public higher education institutions and the State Board of Education.

This bill appropriates $3.7 million for Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare's Division of Indirect Support Services for fiscal year 2026, funding both operating and capital expenses. It requires three reports: one on state vehicle efficiency (due Dec. 2025), one on administrative burden for federal grants (due Aug. 2025), and one detailing steps to transition licensing/certification to another division (due Jan. 2026). The bill also restricts state funds from replacing lost federal grants without legislative approval and exempts certain personnel cost transfers for fiscal years 2025-2026. These provisions directly affect the Department of Health and Welfare's budget management and reporting obligations.

This bill appropriates $360,700 for Idaho's State Board of Education (OSBE) for fiscal years 2025-2026, funding administration ($20,000), IT/data management ($219,200), and school safety ($111,500). It authorizes one additional full-time position for OSBE and mandates reports on credit/transcript mobility outcomes by December 2025. The bill also requires OSBE to develop outcomes-based funding models for both four-year colleges and community colleges, with proposals due by December 2025 and implementation planned for 2028. Additionally, it reappropriates unused American Rescue Plan funds for nonrecurring expenses through June 2026.

This bill allocates funding to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2026, increasing $18.2 million for the Idaho Child Care Program to expand licensed and non-licensed child care options. It reduces total funding for Services for the Developmentally Disabled and Early Learning by $3.6 million, including a $303,900 cut to Extended Employment Services. The bill restricts child care funds from covering buildings or infrastructure, requiring short-term investments to expand long-term availability. It also includes federal funding safeguards, prohibiting state funds from replacing lost federal support without legislative approval.

This Idaho law, effective April 14, 2025, allows residents to purchase human-use ivermectin without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare provider. It amends Idaho Code to explicitly permit over-the-counter sales of ivermectin for human use, removing prior prescription requirements. The bill directly affects consumers seeking this medication and pharmacies selling it within the state. An emergency declaration expedited its implementation after the governor signed it on April 14, 2025.

Idaho's H 180 streamlines broadband infrastructure permitting by setting strict deadlines for local governments to approve or deny applications. It requires cities, counties, and highway districts to act within 60 days for most broadband permits (up to 150 days for new facilities), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed and applications are complete. The bill also replaces outdated pole attachment rules with new regulations governing how telecom companies attach equipment to utility poles. These changes directly affect broadband providers and local planning authorities by reducing approval delays that have hindered deployment despite state investments.

Idaho's S 1218 allocates $237 million in state and federal funds to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for fiscal years 2025-2026, directly affecting highway maintenance, airport projects, and local road programs. The bill includes $165 million transferred from the General Fund to the Strategic Initiatives Program and $110 million to the Local Highway Distribution Fund for immediate allocation. It also reduces certain ITD personnel costs by $101,900 and allows unused funds from 2025 to be reused for capital projects, airport grants, and construction. These provisions ensure ongoing transportation infrastructure work, including highway operations and airport development, without new taxes or fees.

Idaho's H 356 restricts foreign governments and entities from "foreign adversaries" (as defined by the bill) from purchasing or owning certain Idaho lands, including agricultural land, forest land, water rights, mining claims, and mineral rights. It requires existing foreign-owned assets in these categories to be registered with state agencies within 60 days and sold within 180 days of the law's effective date (July 1, 2025). The bill also establishes whistleblower rewards (30% of sale proceeds) for reporting violations and authorizes the Attorney General to pursue judicial sales of non-compliant land. Exceptions include pre-existing holdings, foreign pension funds, and entities with U.S. national security agreements.