H 619 creates the Idaho Wildfire Risk Mitigation Fund to help property owners reduce wildfire risks and lower insurance costs. The fund, financed by excess insurance taxes, unused department fees, private contributions, and grants, provides direct grants of up to $20,000 per household for wildfire risk mitigation (like clearing brush) and educational resources. It targets Idaho property owners in wildfire-prone areas, aiming to make homes safer and improve access to affordable property insurance. The Idaho Department of Insurance will manage the fund and distribute grants under specific guidelines.
This Idaho bill (H 616) allows certified interior designers to legally sign and seal certain technical submissions for interior construction or alteration projects, such as space planning, finishes, and nonstructural elements. It directly affects certified interior designers who meet specific qualifications (passing a certification exam and maintaining active certification) and must carry professional liability insurance. Key provisions limit their authority to nonstructural work (e.g., partitions, ceilings, lighting) while excluding structural changes, building envelopes, life safety systems, or modifications affecting building occupancy. Local governments must process these filings identically to architect submissions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
H 622 reduces the state funding for Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) from $445 to $427 per eligible student enrollment. It specifies that only full-time students in grades 6-12 enrolled in non-virtual school districts (excluding those in cities over 50,000 population) and not taking driver's education or custom sections qualify for funding. The bill requires the state to distribute 80% of estimated funding by July 31 and the remaining balance by May 15, with adjustments based on verified enrollments. The per-enrollment amount may be adjusted annually to match approved school staff salary increases.
This bill prohibits Idaho state courts from enforcing, considering, or applying any arbitration decision based on religious or cultural law that conflicts with constitutional rights under the U.S. or Idaho constitutions. It directly affects state courts and arbitration proceedings involving religious or cultural legal systems, requiring such rulings to fully align with constitutional protections. The law explicitly bans courts from using these arbitration outcomes if they violate citizens' constitutional rights, without restricting religious arbitration that complies with constitutional standards.
This Idaho bill updates the state's tax code to align with the current Internal Revenue Code (IRC), specifically revising how businesses calculate taxable income related to depreciation and research credits. It directly affects Idaho businesses and taxpayers claiming bonus depreciation or research activity credits, ensuring adjustments prevent double tax benefits when federal loss limitations apply. Key provisions include modifying how bonus depreciation deductions are handled for Idaho tax purposes (e.g., adding back unused federal depreciation when losses are later deducted) and updating research credit rules for activities conducted in Idaho. The changes apply retroactively to certain tax years and require businesses to track Idaho-specific tax basis and loss carryforwards.
H 569 amends Idaho's water skiing law to create two specific exceptions to the requirement that a vessel towing a water skier must have an observer aboard. It allows vessels operating within legal slalom courses if equipped with a rearview mirror meeting size specifications (minimum 4x4 inches), or vessels meeting additional safety criteria: a stern platform for safe entry, recessed propellers, operation during designated hours (May 15-Sept 10 before 9am or Sept 11-May 14 anytime), and using a tow rope with a handle. The bill directly affects water ski operators and instructors who meet these conditions, removing the observer requirement while maintaining other safety rules like the 1-hour sunset-to-sunrise towing ban (except for tournaments) and the mandatory warning flag system.
This bill revises Idaho's tax exemptions for data center equipment and capital investments. It extends a sales tax exemption for eligible server equipment, chillers, and new data center facilities (like buildings and cooling systems) but requires qualifying businesses to commit to investing at least $250 million in Idaho data centers within five years and creating 30+ new, full-time jobs. The exemption also mandates water conservation practices for data centers (e.g., recycling cooling water, using reclaimed water) and requires businesses to notify local water providers about anticipated water needs. If businesses fail to meet investment or job targets within the specified timeframes, they must pay retroactive sales or use taxes. The changes apply only to new data center projects meeting these criteria, not existing tax exemptions.
This bill establishes the Idaho Prior Authorization Reform Act, requiring health insurance companies to follow standardized processes for approving medical treatments before coverage. It mandates electronic submission of requests, sets specific timeframes for reviews (including expedited approvals for urgent cases), and requires clear explanations when requests are denied. The law directly affects doctors, hospitals, and patients by limiting insurer interference with medical decisions and ensuring transparency in coverage denials. It applies to most health insurance plans but excludes self-insured employer plans and workers' compensation, while preserving existing federal and state health coverage requirements.
Idaho's H 606 prohibits individuals from knowingly entering a restroom or changing room designated for the opposite biological sex in government buildings or public accommodations, classifying a first offense as a misdemeanor. A second violation within five years becomes a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as for custodial staff, medical emergencies, law enforcement, natural disasters, single-user facilities, and assisting family members or dependents. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals using gender-designated facilities in public spaces.
HJR 7 proposes repealing a constitutional ban (Section 5, Article IX) that currently prohibits Idaho from using public funds to support religious institutions or activities. If approved by voters, this amendment would allow the state legislature to fund religious organizations directly with taxpayer money, removing a long-standing constitutional barrier. The bill itself does not create new funding programs but eliminates the existing constitutional restriction on such appropriations. It is a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval at the next general election, having recently passed committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.
This bill (S 1234) formally renames Lewis-Clark State College to Lewis-Clark State University across multiple Idaho Code sections. It amends 15+ specific statutes (including Sections 1-505, 33-101, and 33-3717A) to update references from "Lewis-Clark State College" to "Lewis-Clark State University" throughout state law. The legislative intent explicitly states this is a technical name change only - no mission shift or new costs are associated, as the institution will remain teaching-focused. The bill does not create new policies or affect funding.
This bill requires Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare to study policy options for two Medicaid groups: workers with disabilities who can no longer work due to age or disability, and individuals in home care programs facing high out-of-pocket costs. The study will examine ways to prevent participants from losing savings or coverage when transitioning between programs, and to keep people in community settings instead of institutions. The department must report findings by December 2026, including federal approval needs, cost impacts, and recommendations for maintaining work incentives while reducing institutionalization. The bill does not change current Medicaid rules but directs a review of potential improvements.
