Criminal Justice

This bill revises how Idaho distributes transportation funding from the Highway Distribution Account. It gradually increases the share going to local governments (from 38% to 40% by 2025) while increasing the state highway account share (from 57% to 60%), and eliminates the law enforcement account's allocation. Crucially, it removes a restriction preventing fuel tax revenues (including fees from electric/hybrid vehicles) from being used for highway funding. These changes adjust existing fund distribution formulas without creating new taxes or programs.

H 697 creates new felony crimes related to election violations in Idaho. It defines three specific offenses: voting illegally (e.g., by someone not entitled to vote or voting multiple times), interfering with elections (e.g., altering ballots or destroying election materials), and tampering with voting machines or tally systems. These provisions replace outdated language and establish clear felony penalties for these actions. The bill directly affects individuals who commit these specific election-related violations, making them subject to criminal prosecution.

Idaho bill H 541 amends state law to strengthen penalties for using digital communication to target minors. It revises the definition of "child" to include individuals aged 16-17 if the perpetrator is at least five years older, and expands coverage to all communication devices (not just the internet) used to solicit or entice minors into sexual acts. The law removes the requirement for prosecutors to prove an actual sexual act occurred, making it a felony to merely attempt such enticement. This affects individuals using digital means to target minors, with penalties up to 15 years in prison.