Technology

The Conversational AI Safety Act (S 1297) requires operators of public conversational AI services - like chatbots - to clearly disclose when users interact with artificial intelligence, especially for minors under 18. It mandates operators to provide crisis resources for users expressing suicidal thoughts, prevent AI from claiming to offer professional mental health care, and block harmful content such as sexually explicit material or simulated romantic interactions with minors. For minors, the law requires persistent disclosure at session start and every three hours, prohibits engagement rewards targeting youth, and mandates privacy tools for minors and their guardians. Violations could trigger civil penalties up to $500,000 per operator, enforced by Idaho’s Attorney General, with the law taking effect July 1, 2027.

Idaho's S 1227 establishes rules for using generative artificial intelligence (like AI that creates text or images) in public K-12 schools. It requires the state education department to create a framework prioritizing student privacy, safety, and human oversight, while mandating school districts to adopt local policies aligned with this framework. The bill also directs the development of AI literacy standards for students, teacher training programs, and guidelines for purchasing AI tools that comply with privacy laws. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.

H 519 updates Idaho's tax code to align with the current federal Internal Revenue Code (as of 2026) and revises tax credits for business capital investments and research activities. It sets a 3% annual cap on the capital investment tax credit based on qualifying property, including equipment eligible for federal tax credits and qualified broadband infrastructure. The bill also allows eligible businesses to opt for a two-year exemption from personal property taxes on qualifying investments instead of claiming the capital investment credit, subject to specific income and investment criteria. These changes primarily affect Idaho-based businesses making qualifying capital investments or conducting research within the state.

H 537 requires all Idaho public meetings of governing bodies (like city councils or school boards) to include a public comment period accessible in person or via technology such as phone, video, or internet. It mandates that meeting notices must clearly explain how the public can participate and that governing bodies must fix technology disruptions preventing access before proceeding. The bill also prohibits requiring advance comment submissions and sets rules for comment period lengths based on meeting structure (e.g., timed per agenda item or general). These changes apply to all public agencies in Idaho, effective July 1, 2026.