This bill allocates additional funding to Idaho's Commission of Pardons and Parole for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, while simultaneously reducing existing appropriations from the state's General Fund. The legislation provides $221,500 for fiscal year 2027 and $87,200 for fiscal year 2026, with money drawn from both the General Fund and Miscellaneous Revenue Fund to cover personnel and operating expenses. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation of certain funding adjustments, with most provisions taking effect upon signing and remaining changes beginning July 1, 2026. This funding adjustment directly impacts the financial resources available to the state agency responsible for reviewing clemency requests and managing parole decisions.
This bill changes how Idaho pays counties for housing state prisoners in county jails. Counties will now receive $80 per day for the first seven days of each inmate's stay (up from $55), then $75 daily thereafter. The state must also cover all medical/dental costs for these inmates, and counties must bill the state every 60 days with payment due within 60 days. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, as an emergency measure.
This bill allocates $100.5 million to Idaho's Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027, covering personnel costs, operating expenses, capital outlays, and benefit payments across various court divisions including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts. The legislation provides flexibility by exempting the Judicial Branch from certain expense transfer limits, allowing funds to move between categories as needed, and requires monthly transfers of uncommitted retirement contributions to the Judges' Retirement Fund. Additionally, the bill reappropriates up to $16.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for nonrecurring expenditures and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.
H 642 adjusts Idaho's public safety officer retirement benefits to ensure consistency between catastrophic injury and death benefits. It increases the lump-sum death benefit for surviving spouses or dependent children to $500,000 (matching the existing catastrophic injury benefit) and adds an annual pension of $75,000 for surviving spouses. The bill specifically affects surviving spouses and dependent children of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty due to catastrophic injuries. Benefits will be funded solely through public safety officers' pension contributions, with no tax on the payments. The legislation repeals outdated death benefit provisions and defines "catastrophic injury" through specific medical criteria.
This Idaho bill removes the requirement for verifying immigration status when applying for crime victims compensation. It amends state law (Section 67-7903) to explicitly exempt this program from verification rules, directly affecting crime victims seeking state-funded financial assistance. Under the change, applicants no longer need to prove "lawful presence" to access compensation under Title 72, Chapter 10. This policy change applies specifically to victims of crime who qualify for state compensation programs.
Idaho's H 698 amends Section 18-310 of the Idaho Code to allow individuals convicted of felonies in other states (excluding treason) to register and vote in Idaho upon completing their sentence (final discharge). This directly affects out-of-state felons who have served their full sentence, granting them voting rights they previously lacked under Idaho law. The bill explicitly states these individuals "shall not have the right restored to ship, transport, possess or receive a firearm" in the same manner as Idaho felons, but does not alter firearm restrictions. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill repeals Idaho Code section 19-5301 and establishes Chapter 63, the "Idaho Son of Sam Law," requiring payments to offenders from crime-related publicity (e.g., book deals, interviews, or paid appearances) to be placed into a state escrow account for five years. Victims of crimes can claim these funds through court orders during the escrow period, while offenders receive any remaining money after five years if no valid claims are filed. The law explicitly excludes regular wages, unrelated income, works that only briefly mention the crime, and news/documented works with standard interview fees. It clarifies the law regulates only money earned from crime publicity, not free speech, and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance.
This Idaho bill (H 680) requires all interviews with alleged child abuse victims - conducted by law enforcement, child welfare agencies, or child advocacy centers - to be recorded with sound and video. It applies to safety assessments, investigative interviews, and risk assessments. The law states that not having such recordings won't prevent evidence from being used in court. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Idaho's H 518 amends state law to expand the Attorney General's role in combating human trafficking. The bill requires the Attorney General to annually report on state anti-trafficking efforts and recommend actions to eradicate trafficking, develop training materials for law enforcement and victim advocates on identifying and prosecuting trafficking cases, and assist local prosecutors upon request. It also grants the Attorney General authority to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases when requested by law enforcement agencies. These changes directly affect state agencies, prosecutors, law enforcement, and victim advocates by standardizing statewide anti-trafficking efforts. The bill passed unanimously in the Idaho House and takes immediate effect.
Idaho's H 668 amends child custody interference law to clarify prohibited actions and strengthen enforcement. It defines interference as intentionally taking a child from a custodian without lawful authority, while adding specific defenses (e.g., protecting a child from harm, returning within 24 hours, or temporary impracticality due to unforeseen circumstances). The bill establishes graduated penalties: fines up to $100 for first offenses (misdemeanor), escalating to up to $5,000 and 1 year imprisonment for fifth offenses (felony). Law enforcement must verify child safety and complete detailed reports for all reports, with courts able to award custody compensation for denied visitation. The law directly affects parents or agents who interfere with custody orders and aims to ensure prompt child welfare checks.
