This Idaho bill establishes the Financial Accountability Stablecoin Transaction (FAST) Act to authorize the state government to use privately issued payment stablecoins for paying vendors and contractors. The legislation defines eligible stablecoins as those backed one-to-one by U.S. dollars or Treasury obligations, meeting specific criteria including at least $2 billion in annual transaction volume and being issued by U.S.-based entities with U.S. citizen founders and shareholders. The state treasurer will maintain an annual list of approved stablecoins and submit reports to the legislature on transaction volumes, cost savings, and fiscal benefits, while vendors may voluntarily choose to receive payments in these digital currencies.
This bill allocates $4,998,400 to Idaho's Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027, funding administrative operations through a combination of general fund and federal grant money. It simultaneously reduces the office's general fund appropriation by $510,500 and cuts four full-time equivalent positions from the office's authorized staffing level. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and was signed into law by the Governor.
This bill allocates $1,368,700 in state funding to Idaho's four community colleges for fiscal year 2027, with specific amounts designated for personnel and operating expenses at each institution. The legislation also reduces the total appropriation by $245,500 from the previous year's funding levels across the same colleges. The funds are distributed through the State Board of Education's General Fund and become effective on July 1, 2026.
This bill allocates state funding to Idaho's Division of Career Technical Education for the Secondary and General Programs program over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides $1,877,300 for the 2026-2027 period and $957,600 for the 2025-2026 period, both drawn from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund. The money is designated specifically for trustee and benefit payments related to the program. The legislation includes an emergency declaration to allow Section 2 to take effect immediately upon signing, while Section 1 becomes active on July 1, 2026.
This bill appropriates $25,800 from the Idaho State Lottery Fund for capital improvements during fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for capital outlay purposes, meaning they will be used for physical infrastructure or equipment upgrades rather than operational expenses. The legislation declares an emergency to allow the appropriation to take effect immediately on July 1, 2026, without waiting for the regular budget cycle. Once enacted, the money becomes available for the Idaho State Lottery to use for approved capital projects within the specified fiscal year.
Idaho's H 760 revises property tax exemptions for low-income housing owned by nonprofit organizations. It requires qualifying nonprofits to meet specific criteria, including federal 501(c)(3) status and ensuring no private benefit from tax exemptions. The bill mandates that 55% of units must rent to residents earning ≤60% of local median income, 20% to those earning ≤50%, and 25% to those earning ≤30%, with annual compliance reports to counties. It also adds protections preventing evictions for three months after certified medical emergencies and prohibits the exemption for properties with financing closed by July 1, 2026, unless undergoing rehabilitation.
This bill appropriates approximately $25.9 million to Idaho's Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2027, covering administration, enforcement, fisheries, wildlife, and communications programs. The funding comes from state, federal, and other dedicated funds, with specific amounts allocated to personnel costs, operating expenditures, and capital outlays. The legislation also allows the department to use any unspent money from fiscal year 2026 for nonrecurring expenses in the following year. An emergency provision sets the effective date as July 1, 2026.
Idaho's H 645, the Portable Benefit Plan Act, creates a system for independent contractors to access portable benefits through accounts funded by hiring parties. It allows companies to contribute to these accounts (without reclassifying workers as employees) and specifies that contributions are fully deductible as a business expense for hiring parties and excluded from taxable income for contractors. The bill establishes clear definitions, administration rules for benefit accounts, and tax treatment, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects independent contractors (who gain access to benefits like health, retirement, and disability insurance) and hiring parties (who can voluntarily fund these accounts). The law does not change worker classification status but provides tax advantages for both parties.
Idaho's S 1331 reduces state funding for education programs in fiscal year 2026 by $22.3 million from the Public School Income Fund and transfers money to the General Fund. It directly affects public schools (teachers and student support), Idaho's universities (including Boise State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho), community colleges, and education programs like medical residencies and career technical education. Key mechanisms include cutting specific budget line items (e.g., $5.4 million for Boise State University, $1.8 million for student administrators), reducing authorized staff positions, and reallocating funds. The bill declares an emergency to expedite these fiscal adjustments.
H 511 revises the surcharge for improved forest parcels on private land in Idaho, capping it at $100 per parcel (previously ranging up to $100). It directly affects private forest landowners who maintain improved parcels, requiring them to pay this annual surcharge to fund wildfire preparedness. The bill also updates assessment rules for forest landowners (65¢ per acre for over 26 acres, minimum $25 for 25 acres or less) and establishes a wildfire equipment replacement fund. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, following its passage by the Idaho House (46-22) on February 4, 2026.
