Idaho's H 264 establishes rules requiring certain facilities - including correctional centers, domestic violence shelters, juvenile facilities, and state colleges - to designate restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters exclusively for either females or males. Covered entities must prevent individuals from using facilities designated for the opposite sex, with limited exceptions for emergencies, maintenance, medical aid, or assisting others. Individuals who encounter someone of the opposite sex in a designated facility may sue the entity for violating these rules, seeking court orders and legal fees. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies specifically to the listed state-operated or state-supervised institutions.
This bill appropriates $122.86 million from Idaho's Permanent Building Fund to the Department of Administration's Division of Public Works for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It directly funds maintenance projects ($68.2 million, including ADA compliance and building repairs) and capital projects ($42.1 million, such as the ISU Life Sciences Complex and U of I military center). The bill requires the Division to report on project progress and unspent funds to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee by November 2025, with unused balances for completed projects or long-delayed projects becoming available for new uses. It does not change state law but allocates existing funds for specific state building and facility needs.
Idaho's S 1162 prevents local governments (counties/cities) from banning short-term rentals entirely and restricts them to reasonable regulations that treat rentals the same as standard residential properties. Key provisions include prohibiting requirements like mandatory owner presence, professional management, or extra insurance solely due to short-term use, while requiring safety disclosures (smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, first aid kits) to renters. The bill allows local business licenses with limited requirements - such as an annual fee or proof of no recent violations - but bans regulations targeting rental platforms. It directly affects property owners, renters, and local governments managing housing rules, classifying rentals as residential for zoning and safety purposes. The bill failed to pass in the Senate on April 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 422 revises rules for releasing adoption information to adoptees. It requires the state to provide adult adoptees (18+) with original birth certificates and medical/demographic records upon request, after completing a voluntary adoption registry process. The bill establishes a 30-day waiting period following a registry match, during which birth parents can choose contact preferences, request no contact, or ask for their name and identifying information to be redacted for five years. This applies to all adoptions, including those occurring on or after July 1, 2022. The changes directly affect adoptees seeking their birth records and birth parents who registered with the state.
This Idaho bill (S 1071) amends driver's license fee structures to add a voluntary $2.00 contribution option for vision health programs. When applying for or renewing a driver's license, applicants can choose to add this $2 donation, which will fund "Envision Sight" for vision screening and eye health initiatives. The bill directly affects all Idaho residents obtaining or renewing driver's licenses through the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. It does not require the donation - it is entirely optional and appears as a separate line item on license application fees. The bill was introduced in the Idaho Legislature but ultimately failed to pass in March 2025.
This bill amends Idaho's Administrative Procedure Act to restrict the use of temporary agency rules to true emergencies, such as unexpected public health threats, natural disasters, or urgent compliance deadlines. It requires the governor to document specific justifications for temporary rules (e.g., "imminent threat to public safety") and mandates agencies to immediately begin drafting permanent rules while the temporary rule is in effect. The bill also prevents agencies from reusing the same temporary rule without new justification after 90 days or a renewed emergency finding.
This Idaho bill requires all local police departments and sheriff's offices to apply for a federal program (Section 287(g)) that allows them to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with immigration enforcement. If an agency cannot secure this agreement, it must publicly state its reasons and efforts to cooperate with ICE. The law standardizes formal cooperation with federal immigration enforcement but does not alter immigration policy or create new enforcement powers.
Idaho's H 478 regulates the retail sale of industrial hemp products by prohibiting the sale of hemp-containing food or drink intended for human consumption. Retail stores selling such products must obtain an annual $600 license from the Idaho Department of Agriculture, with additional locations costing $25 each. The law requires stores to comply with state and federal hemp regulations, allows random product testing, and imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for noncompliance. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and authorizes the Department to create implementing rules.
S 1205 allocates $237 million in funding for Idaho's Transportation Department for fiscal years 2025-2026, primarily for highway operations, capital projects, and airport development. It redirects $165 million from the General Fund to a Strategic Initiatives Program and $110 million to the Local Highway Distribution Fund, while reducing certain personnel costs by $101,900. The bill also allows the department to redirect unspent funds from previous years for capital projects and airport grants. This funding supports statewide infrastructure maintenance, road construction, and local highway projects, directly affecting Idaho's transportation infrastructure and local governments receiving highway funds.
This bill amends Idaho Code sections 32-1010, 32-1013, and 32-1015 to clarify and strengthen parental rights regarding medical decisions for minors. It establishes that government interference with parental rights requires "clear and convincing evidence" that the restriction is both "essential" and the "least restrictive means," and creates a right for parents to sue if their rights are violated. The key medical provision (Section 32-1015) requires parental consent for minors' healthcare except in specific emergencies (e.g., life-threatening situations where parents cannot be contacted), screenings for newborns, prenatal care, mental health crises, or time-sensitive crime-related medical needs. The bill directly affects Idaho parents, healthcare providers, and minors under 18, shifting consent requirements and legal standards for medical treatment.
Idaho bill H 474 requires all state and local law enforcement agencies to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of every person arrested during criminal justice processing. It mandates that agencies publish biannual reports by October 1, 2025, detailing crime statistics involving foreign nationals, including arrests of undocumented individuals, specific crimes committed, and reasons for noncompliance. Agencies failing to comply may face withheld state funding. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all police departments, sheriffs' offices, and the Idaho State Police.
This bill allocates $18.98 million in state funding to Idaho's Department of Fish and Game for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, covering staff salaries, operations, and capital projects across programs like wildlife management, fisheries, enforcement, and communications. It specifically appropriates $270,000 from the Fish and Game Expendable Trust Fund for wildlife program operations in 2024-2025 and authorizes the reuse of $1.8 million in unspent depredation funds for wildlife damage claims. The bill also allows the department to reallocate unused funds from deferred maintenance, office remodels, and website projects for nonrecurring expenses through 2026. It takes effect July 1, 2025, with the 2024-2025 funding effective immediately upon passage.
