Idaho Bills

H.B. 161 amends Idaho Code sections governing flood control district boards, clarifying meeting procedures (including allowing quarterly meetings with director approval), setting a $100 daily pay cap for commissioners, and updating tax levy limits (capping assessments at 0.06% of property value). It requires annual financial reports and specifies fund management rules for districts. This bill directly affects Idaho's local flood control districts and their governing boards.

This bill amends Idaho Code sections related to the bean industry, specifically revising the structure of the Idaho Bean Commission, clarifying industry definitions, and updating tax levy rules. It directly affects Idaho bean growers, processors, shippers, and handlers by changing how the commission operates and sets taxes. Key provisions include granting the commission authority to adjust the tax rate (12-24 cents per hundredweight) with a simple majority vote, removing outdated membership requirements, and clarifying terms like "grower" and "primary channels of trade." The tax must be paid when beans are first handled in primary trade, with specific rules for how costs are shared between growers and handlers. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

H 134 requires most health insurance plans in Idaho to cover annual supplemental breast cancer screening for people at increased risk. It directly affects patients with specific risk factors (like family history, genetic mutations, dense breast tissue, or prior radiation) and insurance providers offering medical/surgical coverage. The law mandates coverage for one annual screening using MRI, contrast mammograms, or ultrasound when clinically needed, based on defined risk criteria. It does not eliminate patient cost-sharing like deductibles or copays but ensures the minimum screening coverage is provided. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.

This bill requires wind energy developers to install FAA-approved light-mitigating technology systems on wind turbines by specific deadlines. New projects must comply by July 1, 2025 (within 24 months of FAA approval), while existing projects must do so by January 1, 2026 (within 60 months of approval). The systems reduce aircraft lighting glare while maintaining visibility for pilots, with developers bearing all installation, operation, and maintenance costs. It applies to wind farms with five or more turbines over 50 feet tall.

S 1016 revises fee structures for livestock branding services in Idaho. It increases the fee for registering a brand from $50 to $75, allows prorated renewal fees for staggered implementation, and sets new rates for certified copies ($1.50 each) and brand research ($36 per hour). These changes directly affect livestock owners and operators who must pay for inspections, brand registrations, and related services. The bill also nullifies certain existing administrative rules (IDAPA 11.02.01) governing these fees.

H 208 amends Idaho law to streamline the consolidation process for fire protection districts. It removes outdated budget provisions (previously requiring specific budget rules after consolidation) and updates technical requirements for recording district boundaries. The bill clarifies that consolidated districts inherit all property, debts, and employee seniority from merging districts, with new board elections following specific term structures. These changes directly affect Idaho fire districts seeking to merge, making the process more efficient by eliminating redundant budget rules and standardizing boundary documentation. The bill became effective July 1, 2025.

Idaho's S 1020 amends state law to adjust how revenue from federal oil, gas, mineral, and renewable energy projects on federal lands within Idaho is distributed. For oil, gas, and mineral projects, 10% of federal receipts goes to the county where the resources were extracted (for roads or schools) and 90% to the public school fund. For renewable energy projects (wind, solar, and geothermal), 10% goes to the county (for roads or schools) and 90% to a new renewable energy resources fund. The bill also specifies that funds collected under the Federal Power Act for federal land use must be deposited into this renewable energy fund. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Idaho's H 199 establishes a state-run refugee medical assistance program under the "Refugee Medical Assistance Act." It directly affects refugees in Idaho who hold specific immigration statuses, such as those with an I-94 card indicating refugee status, Afghan/Iraqi special immigrants, or Amerasians with qualifying documents. The bill sets eligibility based on income (not exceeding 133% of federal poverty guidelines) and excludes refugee cash assistance and sponsor-provided services from income calculations. It also nullifies existing administrative rules (IDAPA 16.03.06) governing this program, effective July 1, 2025.

This bill amends Idaho's Child Protective Act to replace emergency removal procedures with a new "order to prevent removal" process. It removes outdated provisions about emergency removal (Section 16-1608) and changes related to protective orders (Sections 16-1615, 16-1619), while adding specific requirements for the new order (Section 16-1611). The changes directly affect child welfare agencies, courts, and families involved in protective custody cases by altering how children may be kept in their homes during investigations. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

This Idaho bill (H 373) adjusts funding for the Division of Financial Management for fiscal year 2026. It adds $21,100 from the General Fund for capital outlay projects (like equipment or facilities) and reduces the operating expenditure appropriation by $8,900. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was signed into law on March 24, 2025. It directly affects the Division of Financial Management's budget for managing state finances during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

This bill appropriates $139,800 from Idaho's General Fund for the State Appellate Public Defender's office during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), covering personnel, operating, and capital costs. It also increases authorized full-time equivalent positions by one and reappropriates up to $1.2 million in unspent 2025 funds for capital cases and noncapital appeals. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was signed into law on March 24, 2025 (Session Law Chapter 157). It directly affects the State Appellate Public Defender's budget and staffing for handling appeals in capital and noncapital cases.

Idaho's H 9 amends the state's Administrative Procedure Act to update rules for contested cases (e.g., license denials or disciplinary hearings). Key changes include adding new procedures for informal dispositions of cases, requiring agencies to post all final orders online, and revising hearing rules to streamline processes. The bill directly affects state agencies conducting these proceedings, as well as individuals or businesses involved in contested cases. It focuses on clarifying procedures, reducing delays, and improving public access to agency decisions through technical corrections and new requirements.