This Idaho bill (H 172) amends the Open Meetings Law to clarify how public agencies can manage meeting agendas. It allows agencies to group routine items into a "consent agenda" for single voting, but prohibits including ordinances, fee resolutions, or items needing more than a simple majority in these groupings. Agencies must identify items requiring votes as "action items" on the agenda, and if members request removal from the consent agenda during a meeting, those items must be discussed separately before voting. The law also sets specific timing rules for agenda amendments before or during meetings, requiring written justification for last-minute changes. This directly affects all Idaho public agencies holding regular or special meetings under the Open Meetings Law.
This Idaho bill (H 8) updates the state's public utility regulation framework by repealing outdated statutes and amending key provisions. It removes obsolete sections related to transportation (e.g., street railroads, express corporations) and revises rules for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, including membership appointments and meeting schedules. The bill also modernizes requirements for utility rate filings and commission oversight, while eliminating redundant or outdated regulatory language. These changes affect all public utility companies operating in Idaho and the commission responsible for regulating them, effective July 1, 2025.
This Idaho bill (S 1029) increases the number of judges in the Seventh Judicial District from six to seven. It directly affects judges and court operations in the district's 10 counties, including Bonneville, Madison, and Jefferson. The bill also adjusts local court locations by adding a fourth location in Bonneville County (from three) and specifying chambers in Madison, Bingham, and Jefferson counties. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
This bill changes the number of district judges in Idaho's First Judicial District from seven to eight. It directly affects the counties of Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah, which make up the First Judicial District. The key provision increases the total number of judges while adjusting resident chambers (court locations) in Kootenai County from four to five chambers. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, as signed by the governor on March 10, 2025.
This bill (H 34) requires Idaho state agencies to competitively solicit contracts with the state's public universities (Boise State, Idaho State, Lewis-Clark State, and the University of Idaho) instead of entering noncompetitive agreements. Agencies must seek quotes or proposals from interested institutions and award contracts based on cost and other criteria, though competition can be limited to these four universities. The rule does not apply to procurements of surplus property covered by other state or federal laws. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, impacting all state agencies contracting with Idaho's public higher education institutions.
This Idaho bill (S 1001) creates a "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act" to protect individuals and entities from lawsuits targeting protected speech. It allows defendants to file a "special motion" within 60 days of being sued, triggering a court stay of all proceedings while the motion is reviewed. If granted, the lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice if the defendant proves the case involves public speech on a matter of public concern (e.g., government proceedings or free expression rights), and the plaintiff fails to establish a valid claim. The law does not apply to government officials acting officially, public safety enforcement, or business-related speech like product advertising. It becomes effective January 1, 2026.
This bill revises Idaho's definition of "advanced practice registered nurse" in state law to explicitly include four specific roles: certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. It updates the legal definitions for all nursing roles (including licensed practical and registered nurses) to clarify their scope of practice, such as when nurses can administer medications or delegate tasks. The changes directly affect nurses and the Idaho Board of Nursing by providing clearer standards for practice authorization. The revised definitions take effect on July 1, 2025, and do not create new requirements or funding.
Idaho's H 40 bill amends tax code sections to exempt capital gains from gold and silver bullion sales from state taxable income, lower individual and corporate income tax rates, and exempt military retirement pay from state income tax. It directly affects Idaho residents who invest in precious metals, military retirees receiving retirement pay, and businesses subject to corporate income tax. Key provisions include revising Section 63-3022 to exclude bullion transaction gains/losses from taxable income, updating Section 63-3022A to clarify military retirement pay deductions, and adjusting Sections 63-3024 and 63-3025 for lower income tax rates. The law is retroactive to January 1, 2025, and was signed into law by Governor on March 6, 2025.
Idaho's H 32 (effective March 4, 2025) prohibits state and local governments from mandating face masks, face shields, or coverings to prevent disease spread. It applies to all state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and officials, but explicitly exempts healthcare workers, hazardous materials handlers, and correctional facilities where masks are job requirements or safety protocols. The law requires that any non-mandatory mask recommendations must include a clear notice stating they are not required. It does not ban mask use but prevents enforcement of mandates in public settings like schools, workplaces, or events. The bill was signed into law by Governor on March 4, 2025.
Idaho's H 55 clarifies that retired public employees serving as bona fide volunteers for their former employers are not considered "reemployed" under the state's retirement system (PERSI). The bill defines a "bona fide volunteer" as someone providing uncompensated service that wouldn't normally be paid, and explicitly states such volunteer work does not trigger the suspension of retirement benefits or require repayment of benefits. This directly affects retired teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees who volunteer for their former agencies after retirement. The law prevents unintentional disruptions to retirement benefits when volunteers are misclassified as employees, effective July 1, 2025.
This Idaho bill (H 15) amends state law to clarify who is exempt from being classified as an "outfitter" or "guide" for licensing purposes. It creates four specific exceptions: private landowners providing services on their own property, equipment renters (like horse rentals) who only accompany hunters for incidental safety during livestock retrieval, qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering outdoor experiences to youth, and accredited educational institutions. The law ensures these groups don't need licenses unless a written agreement with a property owner requires one. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
H 29 amends Idaho's controlled substances laws to add numerous specific synthetic opioids to Schedule I (the most restrictive category) and creates a broad definition covering future fentanyl-related substances. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare providers, and individuals in Idaho by prohibiting possession of these newly listed compounds, including 90+ specific fentanyl analogs like "ortho-fluorofentanyl" and "methoxyacetyl fentanyl," plus any structurally similar substances. Key mechanisms include updating the Schedule I list with detailed chemical names and establishing a catch-all definition for "fentanyl-related substances" based on structural modifications. This bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change existing penalties or medical exemptions.
