Budget & Taxes

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 1380: APPROPRIATIONS – ENDOWMENT FUND INVESTMENT BOARD – Relates to the appropriation to the Endowment Fund Investment Board for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates $3,700 from the Endowment Earnings Administrative Fund to the Endowment Fund Investment Board for fiscal year 2027. The funds are designated for capital outlay expenses between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. The legislation declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation of the appropriation starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $3,700 to fund capital outlay expenses for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, directly strengthening fiscal management and funding essential government operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

passed both · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SCR 127: MARIJUANA – States findings of the Legislature and urges the citizens of Idaho to reject any effort to bring the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act to the ballot.

This concurrent resolution urges Idaho voters to reject the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act if it appears on the November 2026 ballot. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement from the legislature expressing opposition to medical marijuana legalization. The resolution cites concerns about potential health risks, environmental damage, increased crime, and significant state budget costs associated with implementing a medical cannabis program. It also notes that the proposed act would allow home delivery of marijuana and does not require a doctor's prescription, which the legislature argues could lead to widespread recreational use.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill opposes medical cannabis legalization citing significant state budget costs, indicating stance against funding new programs that would strain state finances85% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill urges rejection of medical cannabis legalization citing concerns about increased crime and budget costs, indicating opposition to criminal justice reform regarding marijuana.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill urges rejection of medical cannabis legislation citing health risks and opposes expanding healthcare access through medical marijuana programs85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Drug Policy

Track

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 950: APPROPRIATIONS – LEGISLATURE – Appropriates $200,000 to the Legislature for fiscal year 2026 for the Medicaid Review Panel.

This bill allocates $200,000 from the state's General Fund to the Idaho Legislature for fiscal year 2026 to support the operations of the Medicaid Review Panel. The funding covers operating expenses from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and includes authority to carry forward any unused funds for nonrecurring expenses in the following fiscal year. The legislation also declares an emergency to allow the appropriation to take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring the panel can continue its work without interruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $200,000 to fund Medicaid Review Panel operations, directly supporting public assistance and government program funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $200,000 to fund Medicaid Review Panel operations, directly supporting healthcare oversight and public assistance programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Medicaid

failed · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 842: BUDGET LIMITS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding certain limitations of budget requests by taxing district and to provide certain exceptions to such limits.

This bill modifies Idaho's budget limit rules for taxing districts, allowing them to request property tax revenue increases under specific conditions. It primarily affects local governments such as cities, fire protection districts, and other taxing entities by adjusting how much they can raise in property taxes for their annual budgets. The key changes include allowing a maximum budget increase of 8% for most districts, with a 15% limit for smaller cities under 30,000 people, and creating a mechanism for districts to recover previously unused budget increases in future years. The bill also clarifies calculations for new construction and annexed property, while excluding school district levies from these limits.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill modifies budget limits for taxing districts, allowing property tax revenue increases up to 8-15%, which restricts fiscal constraints on local government spending.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 815: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the transportation support program.

This bill updates Idaho's Transportation Support Program to clarify which costs school districts and transportation providers can claim for reimbursement when moving students to and from school. It defines allowable expenses such as vehicle maintenance, driver salaries, and contracted transportation services, while excluding costs for optional vehicle features not essential for safety or disability transport. The state will typically cover 50% of reimbursable costs, with higher reimbursement rates for training, fees, and bus maintenance, and includes a cap based on statewide average costs per mile or per student rider. The law also extends reimbursement eligibility to home-based public virtual schools for internet, equipment, and face-to-face visit costs, and establishes specific criteria for hardship bus runs that may qualify for higher reimbursement limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies and maintains funding for school transportation reimbursements, ensuring continued state support for essential education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies and updates transportation reimbursement for school districts, ensuring schools can better fund student transportation needs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies and expands reimbursement for school transportation costs, strengthening the Transportation Support Program and funding vehicle maintenance and driver salaries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit

passed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 948: LEGISLATIVE SERVICES OFFICE – Amends existing law to provide for the Legislative Services Office to conduct revenue analysis.

This bill expands the authority of Idaho's Legislative Services Office to conduct revenue analysis and provide fiscal information to the legislature. It amends state law to require the office to make annual revenue estimates, analyze the governor's budget proposals, and review state agency financial records to support legislative decision-making. The office will also be able to seek input from various groups when developing revenue estimates and continue its existing duties related to budget studies and economic reporting. This change aims to strengthen the legislature's ability to review state finances and budget requests without altering the office's current operational structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens legislative oversight of state budgets by requiring revenue analysis and fiscal information, promoting fiscal responsibility and government accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1427: APPROPRIATIONS – DEPARTMENT OF LANDS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Lands for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill allocates funding to the Idaho Department of Lands for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directing specific amounts to support personnel costs, capital projects, and trustee benefit payments across various programs including business services, forest resources, trust land management, fire protection, and minerals. The legislation provides $2.7 million for fiscal year 2027 and $285,000 for fiscal year 2026, while simultaneously reducing certain appropriations from previous budgets to balance the overall funding. It designates $145,000 specifically for the Idaho Geological Survey and allows the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program to receive unlimited transfers from other departmental funds for both fiscal years. Additionally, the bill limits General Fund bonuses to firefighters with incident qualification cards and requires a report on 2026 fire season bonus awards to be submitted by January 5, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates funding to Idaho Department of Lands for fiscal years 2026-2027, supporting personnel costs, capital projects, and trustee benefit payments across various programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funding to Idaho Department of Lands for forest resources, fire protection, and trust land management, which supports environmental conservation and natural resource protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Forestry Public Lands

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 910: STATE LAND – Adds to existing law to provide for managed recreation opportunities on state endowment lands.

This bill creates a new legal framework for developing fee-based recreation sites on Idaho state endowment lands, which are lands held in trust to generate revenue for public institutions like schools. It establishes a formal process where the Idaho Department of Lands and the Department of Parks and Recreation must collaborate to identify, plan, and approve specific recreation opportunities such as campsites, bike parks, and hiking trails. The legislation requires that these developments protect existing land leases and public access rights while allowing agencies to charge fees for managed recreation sites to generate additional revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates fee-based recreation sites on state endowment lands, generating revenue for public institutions like schools, which strengthens state budget and fiscal management.75% confidence

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1444: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DIVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORT – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill adjusts funding for Idaho's Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating $11.9 million from specific funds while reducing overall appropriations by nearly $10 million. The legislation lowers per-student funding for fully virtual schools, cuts $7.5 million in transportation reimbursements, and requires schools offering online classes to report enrollment and attendance data. It also modifies how English learner funds are distributed, establishes new requirements for technology education programs, and mandates a report on special education spending.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces overall appropriations by nearly $10M, cuts transportation reimbursements, and lowers per-student funding for virtual schools, weakening education support funding.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces overall appropriations by nearly $10 million, cuts transportation reimbursements, and lowers per-student funding for virtual schools, directly limiting educational resources.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill reduces funding for virtual schools and cuts transportation reimbursements, limiting access to technology-based education options.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Funding Special Education

signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 964: APPROPRIATIONS – DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates $14.18 million to Idaho's Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2027, covering administration, fisheries, and wildlife programs from state and federal funds. It authorizes the department to use unspent money from the previous year for new, one-time expenses and designates $200,000 specifically for enhancing wolf trapping to manage predation. The bill requires the department to report how the wolf trapping funds are used by June 30, 2027, and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $14.18M to fund Department of Fish and Game programs, directly advancing budget allocation for public services and wildlife management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations