Idaho Bills

This bill prohibits individuals from wearing masks, hoods, or face-covering devices while committing or attempting to commit any other criminal offense in Idaho. It adds an additional penalty of up to $2,500 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both on top of the sentence for the original crime. The law does not replace existing penalties under other laws and applies to any crime where the offender conceals their face. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

This Idaho bill (H 523) allows officials to ban individuals from entering specific state properties for one year. It directly affects people who refuse to follow lawful orders, violate facility rules, threaten safety, or disrupt government operations at the Capitol building, Supreme Court building, Capitol Mall, or multiagency facilities. The ban is issued at the discretion of security officials (like the Department of Administration director) and requires banned individuals to contact security for legitimate business. Violating a ban carries criminal penalties under Idaho law.

HCR 22 is a concurrent resolution declaring 2026 as Idaho's "Year of Volunteerism" and the "America250 in Idaho Service Challenge." It encourages all Idahoans to participate by signing a replica Declaration of Independence displayed in the state capitol and performing 250,000 acts of service. The resolution also recognizes "Forever Idaho" as the official theme song for the commemoration and promotes community engagement through the "Revolutionary Spuds" mascot initiative. This procedural bill does not create new laws but formally supports Idaho's participation in the national America250 celebration.

Idaho's H 524 strengthens laws against child custody interference by clarifying penalties and adding remedies. It establishes a graduated penalty system: first offenses are fines up to $100 (misdemeanor), while fifth offenses become felonies punishable by up to $5,000 and one year in jail. The bill requires law enforcement to verify a child's safety within 4 hours of a report and mandates courts to order additional custody time (matching denied visitation) to compensate parents deprived of court-ordered time. This directly affects parents denied custody, law enforcement responding to reports, and courts handling custody disputes.

This bill (H 527) repeals Idaho's existing "Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Act" (Chapter 47, Title 39, Idaho Code). It eliminates the current law that governed the Yellow Dot program, which likely provided medical information to first responders about drivers with specific health conditions. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2026, and the bill declares an emergency to expedite this change. No new provisions or mechanisms are added; the bill solely removes the existing law.

This Idaho bill (S 1230) revises fee structures for alcohol beverage permits and licenses. It establishes a $50 permit fee for events where donated alcohol supports charitable causes, and updates annual license fees for businesses based on location size (e.g., $300-$480 for small cities, $750-$1,200 for larger cities). The bill affects licensed alcohol sellers, restaurants, golf courses, and event organizers seeking permits for charitable alcohol sales. Key provisions include standardized permit application forms and revised fee schedules across multiple license categories. The changes aim to modernize administrative processes without altering alcohol sales regulations.

This bill would amend Idaho's civil rights law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, public accommodations, housing, and education. It adds these protections to existing prohibitions against discrimination based on race, sex, disability, and other characteristics covered under Idaho Code sections 67-5901 and 67-5909. The bill defines "gender identity" and updates relevant legal language to include these new protections. It directly affects all Idaho residents and businesses operating within the state, making these forms of discrimination unlawful in specified contexts.

This is a symbolic House Resolution (HR 20), not a law, that condemns political violence and honors victims like Charlie Kirk (killed at a Utah event) and Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman (murdered with her husband). It calls on all Idahoans to reject political violence, uphold respectful debate, and honor victims' legacies, regardless of political affiliation. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds - it is a formal statement by the Idaho House expressing condemnation and urging unity. It was adopted by voice vote during the 2026 legislative session.

S 1229 revises election rules for countywide highway district commissioners in Idaho counties with over 200,000 residents. It requires these counties to divide into five population-equal subdistricts, with commissioners elected by residents of their specific subdistrict (replacing at-large voting). The bill establishes 4-year terms for all commissioners after 1998, adds primary elections for these positions starting in 2026, and clarifies write-in candidate requirements for highway district offices. This directly affects voters and potential candidates in eligible Idaho counties with highway districts.

H 519 updates Idaho's tax code to align with the current federal Internal Revenue Code (as of 2026) and revises tax credits for business capital investments and research activities. It sets a 3% annual cap on the capital investment tax credit based on qualifying property, including equipment eligible for federal tax credits and qualified broadband infrastructure. The bill also allows eligible businesses to opt for a two-year exemption from personal property taxes on qualifying investments instead of claiming the capital investment credit, subject to specific income and investment criteria. These changes primarily affect Idaho-based businesses making qualifying capital investments or conducting research within the state.

This bill repeals Idaho Code Chapter 78, which established the Pacific Northwest Economic Region framework. It removes the existing legal structure without creating new programs or requirements. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2026, following an emergency declaration. (Note: As a procedural repeal with no new policy provisions, this summary is concise per the bill's nature.)

This bill (H 513) reduces the required education hours for cosmetology licensure in Idaho. It changes the minimum school hours from 1,600 to 1,000 and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000 for new cosmetologists. The changes directly affect individuals seeking cosmetology licenses, making the path to licensure less time-intensive. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, as declared an emergency.