Idaho's H 107, the Occupational Licensing Reform Act, requires that new occupational licenses can only be created by law (not administrative rules) and mandates all license fees be set by statute or rule by July 2026. It establishes "universal occupational licensing practice authority," allowing licensed professionals to perform duties consistent with their education, training, and experience within accepted standards of care - without needing additional permission. Licensing boards must review and update their rules by 2026 to align with this standard, and submit compliance reports to the legislature by January 2026. The bill directly affects licensed professionals (e.g., nurses, contractors) and state licensing boards managing their oversight.
Idaho's H 133 amends tobacco and electronic smoking device laws to strengthen indoor air protections and prevent youth access. It updates definitions (like "bar" and "public place"), requires clear signage in smoking areas, and removes outdated permit and penalty rules for tobacco retailers. The bill repeals two administrative rules (IDAPA 16.07.25 and 16.02.23), making them void, and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses selling tobacco products, public venues (like schools, malls, and restaurants), and enforcement agencies.
This Idaho bill (H 71) updates regulations for insurance holding company systems, directly affecting insurers and their parent companies operating in Idaho. It revises definitions of key terms like "affiliate" and "control," adds new requirements for group capital calculations and liquidity stress testing (aligning with national NAIC standards), and creates new reporting rules for insurers under section 41-3809A. The bill mandates that insurance holding company systems conduct stress tests to ensure financial stability and report capital data, with these changes taking effect January 1, 2026. The amendments primarily target insurers within holding company systems, aiming to strengthen regulatory oversight and financial transparency.
Idaho's S 1103 allows state or federal credit unions to hold state funds by designating them as official state depositories, expanding options beyond traditional banks. Credit unions must annually submit an affidavit confirming they won’t boycott businesses in fossil fuels, firearms, or agriculture sectors, and provide collateral for funds exceeding insurance coverage. The law requires the state treasurer to verify compliance annually and revoke depository status for violations, with a 60-day notice period for credit unions to respond. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies directly to credit unions seeking to manage Idaho’s public funds.
Idaho's S 1043 reorganizes landlord-tenant laws while adding a key policy change: it prohibits local governments from enacting rent control ordinances. The bill redesignates multiple existing sections for clarity (e.g., moving sections 55-304-55-314) and removes outdated references to "coverture" (historical legal concepts about married women's property rights). Its most significant provision, new Section 55-306, explicitly states that local governments cannot mandate participation in federal housing programs or regulate rents for private residential property. This law directly affects local municipalities seeking to implement rent control and landlords operating in unregulated rental markets, effective July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 231 increases the state's food tax credit for residents, raising the annual flat credit from $100 to $155 (effective 2025) and adding an alternative option to claim the actual sales tax paid on qualifying food purchases up to $250 per person. The bill affects Idaho residents filing income tax returns who purchase eligible food items, excluding candy, soda, restaurant meals, and pre-prepared foods. Taxpayers can choose between the increased flat credit or the actual sales tax refund, requiring submission of receipts for qualifying purchases. The changes apply retroactively to January 1, 2025, and were signed into law by the governor on March 13, 2025.
Idaho's S 1032 requires all public school districts and charter schools to adopt a "distraction-free learning" policy by December 31, 2025, governing student use of phones and tablets during school hours on school grounds. The policy must limit device use to reduce classroom distractions but cannot mandate a total ban - schools may choose to prohibit devices entirely or allow exceptions for individualized education plans (IEPs). Schools must publicly post their adopted policy on their website. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This bill updates Idaho's insurance guaranty association rules to clarify who receives coverage when insurers fail. It revises eligibility for nonresidents (requiring insurer domicile and similar state associations) and adds specific rules for structured settlement annuities. Coverage now excludes certain reinsurance, self-funded employer plans, and claims based on marketing materials or side agreements. The changes prevent duplicate coverage across states and take effect July 1, 2025.
This bill revises Idaho law to allow coroners who are also licensed funeral directors or morticians to provide final disposition services (like funeral arrangements) in counties with fewer than 20,000 people or counties that have only one licensed funeral establishment. Previously, such coroners were prohibited from performing these services in counties where they held a dual role. The change directly affects funeral service availability in smaller counties and communities with limited funeral home options. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This Idaho bill (H 67) increases worker's compensation benefits for families of employees who die from work-related injuries. It raises the maximum burial expense allowance from $5,000 to $6,000 and increases transportation cost coverage for moving the body to the employee's residence from $8,000 to $10,000. The changes apply to deaths occurring within four years of the injury and directly affect families receiving death benefits under Idaho's worker's compensation system. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
This bill allocates $13,016,400 in state funds for Idaho's Legislative Branch operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), directly affecting the Legislative Services Office and the Office of Performance Evaluations. It specifies detailed funding breakdowns: $11,886,800 for the Legislative Services Office (covering personnel, technology, and facilities) and $1,129,600 for the Office of Performance Evaluations. Key mechanisms include exempting these offices from standard fund-transfer restrictions and reappropriating leftover ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds for nonrecurring expenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, as an emergency measure.
This bill amends Idaho's worker's compensation law to update how hearing notices are delivered. It requires that parties represented by attorneys receive notices via email, while unrepresented parties must receive notices by certified mail - though they can switch to email by submitting a written request with a valid address. The changes clarify service requirements for the Idaho Workers' Compensation Commission and take effect July 1, 2025. As a procedural update, it directly affects workers, employers, and attorneys involved in worker's compensation hearings.
