This bill updates how money collected from Idaho's liquor sales is distributed to various state funds and local governments. It adjusts the percentages of funds allocated to counties, cities, and specific programs like law enforcement, substance abuse treatment, and education over a multi-year period starting in fiscal year 2018. The changes gradually shift more funding toward local governments while maintaining set amounts for state agencies and court-related services. The bill also corrects a code reference error and establishes minimum funding levels to protect historical distribution amounts from 1981.
This bill establishes a new chapter in Idaho law to address alleged violations of legal prohibitions by public officers and employees. It allows certain government leaders to refer potential violations to the attorney general, who must notify the accused party and give them 14 days to either admit and fix the violation or deny it. If the violation is not resolved, the attorney general may file a court action to enforce compliance or seek to disqualify the individual from public office for up to five years. The bill applies to state agencies, schools, political subdivisions, and other public entities, excluding legislative and judicial branches.
This bill allocates an additional $200,000 from the General Fund to Idaho's Department of Correction for fiscal year 2027, specifically for the County and Out-of-State Placement Program. The funds are designated for operating expenditures and will be available from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The legislation includes a declaration of emergency to ensure the appropriation takes effect immediately upon passage. This measure directly affects the Department of Correction's budget and resources for managing inmate placement programs.
This bill establishes the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act to enhance student safety by requiring schools to verify the background and conduct history of all school employees. It mandates that school districts require job applicants to provide sworn statements about any past investigations, resignations during investigations, or disciplinary actions for misconduct, while non-district schools must obtain written authorization to contact an applicant's past employers for the last ten years to verify such information. The law also requires schools to report certain misconduct-related resignations or terminations to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission and clarifies that schools cannot delay reporting child abuse to law enforcement to conduct internal investigations. Additionally, it provides legal protections for employers who share information in good faith and outlines specific conditions under which private school employees can bring claims against their employers.
This bill updates Idaho's laws to strengthen protections for graves and human remains by prohibiting their removal, damage, sale, or public display. It directly affects individuals and entities that might interact with burial sites, including construction workers, collectors, and museums. The law makes it a felony to possess, sell, or exhibit human remains taken from graves after January 1, 1984, unless specific exemptions apply. Exemptions include legitimate activities by law enforcement, medical professionals, licensed mortuaries, accredited educational institutions, and religious organizations. The bill also establishes procedures for seizing and forfeiting illegal remains, which must be returned to the county coroner after legal proceedings.
This bill establishes procedures for carrying out executions in Idaho by specifying that the methods and protocols used will not be subject to certain state laws. It creates a system where the director of the Department of Correction determines the execution method, prioritizing lethal injection if available but allowing for a firing squad as an alternative. The legislation also grants exemptions from medical practice laws, protects participants from civil and criminal liability, and keeps the identities of those involved in executions confidential. These provisions apply to all future executions regardless of when the death sentence was originally imposed.
This bill allows Idaho county sheriffs to seek reimbursement from the Idaho Department of Correction for costs incurred when traveling out-of-state to recapture escaped prisoners, probationers, or parolees. Sheriffs can submit invoices detailing travel, mileage, personnel, overtime, or other reasonable recapture costs after successfully returning individuals to custody. The Department of Correction must pay these claims within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice and will appropriate annual funds for this purpose. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies directly to county sheriff's offices and the Department of Correction.
H 522 establishes a "drone no-fly zone" around Idaho's correctional facilities, creating a 400-foot restricted airspace above prison grounds. It prohibits drones from operating in this zone for any illegal or dangerous purpose (like spying or smuggling), making violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $2,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail. Correctional facilities and law enforcement may use legal methods - such as jamming or physical capture - to disrupt drones operating "in a nefarious manner" within this zone. The law requires drone operators to know these restrictions, with ignorance not excused as a defense.
This bill establishes an interim committee to study sextortion, a crime where predators threaten to share intimate images in exchange for money, sexual content, or other favors. The committee will focus on understanding the crime's impact on victims, particularly minors, and review ways to strengthen current laws and support systems. It includes representatives from the Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, the Department of Education, and the Crisis and Suicide Hotline to gather input from relevant stakeholders. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations by January 31, 2027, without receiving reimbursement for expenses.
This bill provides additional funding and staffing to Idaho's Office of the State Public Defender for fiscal year 2027. It allocates $505,100 total from state funds, including $250,900 for personnel costs and $250,500 for operating expenses, while also authorizing six additional full-time equivalent positions. The legislation includes an emergency declaration to take effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring the office has necessary resources to support public defense services during the fiscal year.
