Idaho's H 639 bill allows licensed midwives to obtain and administer specific medications for maternal and newborn care, provided they have the required education, training, and experience. This expands midwives' current authority beyond existing medications like oxygen and antibiotics to include additional drugs for childbirth-related needs. The bill also removes outdated administrative rules and adds requirements for midwives to refer patients with certain high-risk conditions (such as prior C-sections or chronic health issues) to physicians, while mandating emergency transfer protocols for complications like severe bleeding or fetal distress. The changes apply directly to licensed midwives practicing in Idaho.
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 These provisions replace outdated language and establish clear felony penalties for these actions.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.
H 503 moves the Idaho State Soil and Water Conservation Commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This change affects the commission members, soil conservation districts, and state agencies that collaborate with the commission on conservation programs. The bill primarily revises the commission's administrative home while maintaining its existing structure (seven members appointed by the governor from six geographic divisions and one at-large seat) and responsibilities, such as assisting conservation districts and managing the "Idaho OnePlan" conservation planning system. The key policy change is the departmental reassignment, with no alterations to the commission's duties or membership rules.
Idaho's H 560 allows prospective jurors to serve as volunteer poll workers instead of fulfilling jury duty, specifically when counties face election staffing shortages. The bill directly affects eligible jurors who request to be excused or postpone jury service under existing rules, offering them the option to work as poll workers for the next county election. If they complete the required poll worker service, they are excused from jury duty for two years. This change modifies compensation rules to exempt these volunteers from the standard minimum wage requirement for election staff, while ensuring counties must formally request the need for additional poll workers.
This bill creates the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and establishes a Rural Health Transformation Committee to manage federal grant money for rural health initiatives. The fund will receive money from federal grants and can only be used for purposes approved by the federal government, with all spending subject to annual public reporting. The nine-member committee includes legislative members from both chambers and a nonvoting member from the governor's office, and it will oversee how funds are distributed, evaluate program success, and ensure sustainability plans are in place for funded projects. The committee must report quarterly progress updates to the Department of Health and Welfare and can recommend fund usage to the legislature within federal guidelines.
