H 443 appropriates $5.36 million to Idaho's State Board of Education for fiscal years 2025-2026, funding administration, IT, school safety, and workforce programs. It requires new matching funds for Public-Private Workforce Grants (1:1 for universities, 2:1 for community colleges), mandates reports on credit mobility outcomes, and directs the development of outcomes-based funding models to replace current systems for both universities and community colleges by 2028. The bill also reuses leftover American Rescue Plan funds and authorizes one additional full-time staff position. These changes directly affect the State Board of Education, public colleges, and students through funding conditions and reporting requirements.
H 415 prohibits entities created or controlled by other state governments from owning, operating, or holding ownership interests in Idaho's electrical transmission infrastructure, including power lines and substations. It specifically targets out-of-state government-controlled entities while exempting private utilities, cooperatives, and Idaho-based companies that may still contract with out-of-state providers. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will enforce compliance by reviewing ownership and requiring violators to divest within two years. The law aims to protect Idaho's energy independence by maintaining local control over critical infrastructure.
Idaho's S 1027, the "Transparency in Financial Services Act," requires large financial institutions (banks with over $100 billion in assets or payment processors handling similar transaction volumes) to explain service denials or restrictions based on protected activities. It prohibits using "social credit scores" that discriminate against customers for exercising protected speech, religion, business associations (like fossil fuel or firearm industries), or refusing certain diversity initiatives. Financial institutions must provide written explanations within 14 days if a customer requests reasons for service denial, including specifics about how protected activities influenced the decision. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and violations would be enforced under Idaho's Consumer Protection Act.
This Idaho bill (S 1037) changes how property is handled when veterans living in state veterans homes pass away. It requires veterans to agree that their bank accounts, pensions, and other intangible property (like unpaid benefits) will go to the state’s unclaimed property fund after death if they have no heirs, unless they specifically direct it to the veterans services division. Heirs can still claim this property within five years unless the veteran wrote otherwise. Tangible property (like furniture) automatically transfers to the veterans home after 30 days if unclaimed. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This bill appropriates $86,100 from the Endowment Earnings Administrative Fund to Idaho's Endowment Fund Investment Board for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The funds cover $80,000 in staff costs, $1,200 for operations, and $4,900 for equipment. It was enacted as an emergency measure, taking effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the board's budget for managing state endowment funds but does not alter policy or impact other entities.
S 1031 amends Idaho Code Section 39-414 to revise powers of public health district boards of health. The key change requires county commissioners to approve county-wide health orders within seven days (instead of allowing immediate implementation), with orders taking effect for 30 days initially and extendable with approval. This directly affects public health districts, county commissioners, and residents in affected counties by adding a local review step for broad health measures. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter other existing duties like enforcing health laws or managing district funds.
This Idaho bill (S 1099) revises penalties for vehicular manslaughter and requires courts to inform defendants about sentencing consequences. It increases penalties for repeat offenses: first-time offenders face up to $15,000 fines or 15 years in prison, second offenses trigger a mandatory 5-year minimum prison term, and third or more offenses require a 10-year minimum prison term. The bill also mandates that courts provide written notice to defendants about penalties for future violations of related laws. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of vehicular manslaughter under Idaho Code sections 18-8004 and 18-8006.
H 378 requires Idaho legislators, legislative candidates, and members-elect to publicly report travel outside Idaho paid for by others (like donors or organizations), aiming to increase transparency. Officials must disclose the destination, travel dates, purpose, and the name/address of the payer - excluding travel covered by existing campaign fund reports or personal funds. Failure to report within 30 days incurs a $25 daily late fee deposited into public school funds. The law applies to all legislative officeholders and candidates, effective July 1, 2025.
H 413 requires Idaho state departments to report on vacant full-time equivalent positions (FTP) and travel expenses annually. Departments must detail all vacant positions open over 180 days, including reasons for vacancies and funding plans, by September 1 each year. They must also itemize all travel expenses - such as airfare, lodging, and conference fees - along with travel purposes, destinations, and any non-state funding used. These reports are required in annual budget submissions to improve transparency around government spending and eliminate waste. The bill directly affects all state departments receiving personnel appropriations.
HCR 5 is a non-binding Idaho legislative resolution stating that a federal pardon, like the one reportedly issued to Dr. Anthony Fauci in 2025, does not prevent state-level prosecution for crimes under Idaho law. It clarifies that state legal proceedings would continue unaffected by federal pardons, emphasizing that such pardons do not override state jurisdiction. The resolution expresses this legal principle without creating new laws or impacting any existing cases.
SJM 103 is a joint memorial (not a binding bill) passed by the Idaho Legislature commending the approval of Perpetua Resources' Stibnite Gold Project and requesting federal and state agencies expedite remaining permits. It highlights the project's significance for securing domestic antimony supply (critical for national defense), its planned environmental improvements at the historic mine site, and its economic benefits including $2.2 billion in investment and 500+ jobs. The memorial specifically references the U.S. Forest Service's 2025 approval of the project's environmental plan and urges agencies to complete permitting without delay. This resolution directly affects the Stibnite Gold Project developers and federal/state permitting agencies, but does not create new laws or regulations.
H 291 establishes the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to cover special education costs for students with disabilities whose individualized education program (IEP) expenses exceed $15,000 annually. It directly affects school districts and public charter schools by allowing them to seek reimbursement for eligible costs like therapy, specialized equipment, and nursing services (excluding routine classroom expenses), up to a $100,000 maximum per student. The fund, administered by the state education department, requires detailed documentation of costs not covered by other funding (like Medicaid) and prioritizes small/rural districts if demand exceeds available funds. Reimbursement follows a tiered system: 100% for costs between $15,000-$65,000, 80% for costs above $65,000, and annual reports will track funding use and impact.
