This bill updates Idaho's tax exemptions for data center equipment and property to encourage new data center development in the state. It allows qualifying businesses that invest at least $250 million in data center facilities and create at least 30 new full-time jobs to receive a 20-year sales tax exemption on eligible server equipment and new data center facilities. The law also includes technical corrections to existing property tax exemption rules and adds new requirements for businesses receiving exemptions after April 1, 2026, including electricity rate agreements and water conservation plans. Businesses that fail to meet their investment and job creation commitments within specified timeframes must pay the sales taxes they were initially exempted from.
This bill updates Idaho election laws to include the presidential nomination process in state primary elections and shifts the primary date to the Tuesday following the first Monday in May. It requires political party candidates for president to file a $1,000 declaration fee with the secretary of state and establishes procedures for certifying primary results for federal offices. The legislation also limits the number of elections held in any county to two per year, with exceptions for vacancies and emergencies, while exempting water districts from these restrictions.
This bill amends Idaho election law to exempt religious organizations from filing disclosure statements when they spend money to support or oppose ballot measures. Under current rules, nonbusiness entities spending more than $1,000 on election-related activities must report their identity and major donors to the secretary of state. The new provision allows religious groups to avoid this reporting requirement if their election spending is less than 10% of their total income from the previous year. The exemption applies only to ballot measure activities, not to supporting or opposing specific candidates. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill establishes minimum reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies in Idaho by requiring plan sponsors, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party payers to pay at least the national average drug acquisition cost plus a minimum professional dispensing fee of $12.35, which will increase annually based on inflation. The law defines key terms related to pharmacy reimbursement and mandates that pharmacy benefit managers register with the Idaho Department of Insurance and prohibits certain pricing practices like spread pricing. Additionally, the bill requires the state insurance department to issue guidance to payers and mandates that any underpayments to pharmacies be corrected retroactively from the effective date of the law.
HJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment in Idaho to remove language allowing the state legislature to require children to attend public schools between ages six and eighteen. It would add a new provision stating that "the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools shall not be infringed." If approved by voters, this change would directly affect all Idaho parents and students by altering the constitutional basis for education requirements. The amendment focuses on redefining parental education rights rather than creating new laws or regulations.
H 673 amends Idaho's election law to require state legislative candidates (representatives and senators) to maintain actual physical presence at their residence for at least 120 nights during the year before filing their candidacy. This replaces the prior "fixed habitation" requirement with a specific, measurable standard for residency. The bill directly affects candidates seeking Idaho state legislative seats by clarifying and tightening the physical presence requirement for residency qualifications. (Note: The bill is procedural and focuses on candidate qualifications, not broader policy changes.)
This bill updates Idaho's career ladder system for public school staff, affecting instructional and pupil service employees by changing how they advance through compensation levels. It establishes clearer rules for moving up the career ladder based on years of experience, professional endorsements, and performance criteria, while also creating new pathways for career technical education teachers with industry experience. The legislation requires school districts to adjust staff allocations according to these revised placement rules and includes provisions for recognizing prior teaching experience from private or parochial schools.
This bill requires health insurance plans in Idaho to cover fertility preservation services for people facing medically necessary cancer treatments that could impair their fertility. It specifically applies to insurance companies, hospital service corporations, managed care organizations, fraternal benefit societies, and health exchanges that offer medical coverage for health conditions, accidents, or sickness. The law defines fertility preservation services as the collection and preservation of sperm, unfertilized eggs, and ovarian tissue, but excludes the storage of unfertilized genetic materials. Coverage is mandated only when the American Society of Clinical Oncology or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine indicates that a cancer treatment may cause impaired fertility, and the procedures must follow established medical practices or professional guidelines. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Idaho's S 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, protects patients from surprise bills by requiring out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms to accept the in-network rate as full payment for emergency services. It prohibits these facilities from billing patients for costs exceeding the in-network rate (known as "balance billing") and mandates that health insurance plans pay providers directly for emergency care at the in-network rate, including covering the patient's cost-sharing. The law applies specifically to emergency services provided in freestanding emergency rooms (like standalone facilities not attached to hospitals) and covers all health benefit plans, including self-funded plans. This ensures patients receive emergency care without facing unexpected high costs from out-of-network providers.
Idaho's H 720 changes how cities elect their city council members based on population size. Cities with 25,000 residents or fewer can choose to use district elections (where council members represent specific neighborhoods), while cities with more than 25,000 residents must use district elections. The bill requires districts to be drawn from existing voting precincts, roughly equal in population, and council candidates must live in their district. It applies to all Idaho cities and takes effect July 1, 2026.
H 745 prohibits public employers in Idaho from using taxpayer funds to support government unions or their activities. It bans payroll deductions for union dues, restricts government funding of union events or communications, and defines "government unions" to include teacher associations and local education organizations. The law directly affects public employees (like teachers and first responders) and their unions, preventing public funds from subsidizing union operations, political advocacy, or membership drives. Exceptions only apply for critical emergency services by first responders.
S 1221 amends Idaho Code Section 59-1302 to revise the definition of "employee" for the state's public retirement system (PERSI). Specifically, it changes the threshold for who qualifies as an employee eligible for retirement benefits, clarifying that individuals working fewer than 20 hours per week are no longer automatically considered employees under the system. This directly affects Idaho public employees whose work hours fall below this threshold, ensuring only those meeting the revised criteria are counted for retirement benefit eligibility. The change aims to align the definition with current employment patterns and streamline administrative processes for the retirement system.
