This bill allocates $880,000 in state funds to the Idaho Office of the Attorney General for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The money is specifically designated for personnel costs within two programs: State Legal Services and Internet Crimes Against Children. These funds are drawn from the Consumer Protection Fund, which is intended to support the Attorney General's legal duties and activities. The legislation also declares an emergency to ensure the money for fiscal year 2026 becomes available immediately upon signing.
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.
This bill amends Idaho law to update the powers and duties of the Office of Information Technology Services, giving it greater authority to control and coordinate IT equipment purchases across state government departments. The legislation requires the office to conduct technical and financial analyses before approving IT acquisitions, allows for third-party broker assistance under specific ethical guidelines, and exempts smaller purchases under $15,000 from certain procurement rules. Key provisions include mandatory cybersecurity measures like multi-factor authentication for all state systems, requirements for criminal background checks on IT staff in specific roles, and directives to implement cybersecurity training and best practices across all state agencies. The bill also establishes the office's role in overseeing cybersecurity policies, managing federal IT funds, and coordinating public outreach efforts to protect personal information from cyber threats.
Idaho's H 750 defines "programmable money" (a digital asset that can be programmed for specific uses) and explicitly excludes it from the legal definition of "money." The bill establishes new rules limiting its use, provides legal remedies for violations, and creates criminal penalties for unauthorized or harmful transactions involving programmable money. It directly affects businesses, financial institutions, and individuals using or issuing programmable money within Idaho. The law aims to clarify legal boundaries and protections for this emerging financial tool while addressing potential risks.
This bill appropriates $980,000 from the Consumer Protection Fund to the Idaho Office of the Attorney General for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are designated for two specific programs: $910,000 for State Legal Services and $70,000 for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives. The legislation directs that these monies be used for personnel costs related to the Attorney General's duties under Idaho law. An emergency clause is included to allow immediate implementation of the funding for fiscal year 2026 upon passage.
H 687 requires Idaho state agencies to procure only artificial intelligence systems that prioritize factual accuracy and avoid promoting political or social agendas (including DEI concepts). It prohibits AI that alters historical facts for DEI outcomes, suppresses content based on race or sex, or embeds DEI-based constraints overriding objectivity. Contracts for such AI must include verification requirements for vendors, and agencies must conduct compliance reviews. The law specifically applies to "large language models" used by state government departments and institutions.
