Idaho's H 488 amends annexation law to clarify that cities must cover all costs directly related to annexing property when landowners do not consent. Specifically, it requires cities to pay for any expenses (beyond water/wastewater services) incurred by dissenting landowners, shifting these costs from property owners to municipal budgets. This change directly affects non-consenting landowners in areas proposed for annexation, ensuring they aren't burdened with city-imposed fees. The bill modifies Idaho Code § 50-222, subsection (5), to explicitly state this cost responsibility for cities.
H 485 raises Idaho's minimum wage to $12 per hour starting July 1, 2025, then to $15 in 2026, and $17 in 2027. It also increases the minimum direct wage for tipped workers to $6 in 2025, $7 in 2026, and $8 in 2027, requiring employers to cover any shortfall if tips plus wages fall below the minimum. The bill allows a temporary $4.25 hourly rate for new employees under 20 during their first 90 days of work. Beginning in 2028, the minimum wage will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index to reflect inflation. This applies to all Idaho employers and employees, with no local jurisdictions allowed to set higher minimum wages.
Idaho's H 486 repeals existing non-compete laws and creates new rules making most non-compete agreements unenforceable for employees and independent contractors. The bill allows exceptions only for: (1) non-competes tied to business sales or dissolution, (2) agreements covering employees earning $250,000+ annually, and (3) non-solicitation or confidentiality terms (not true non-competes). It also requires disputes to be handled in Idaho courts and allows employees to recover attorney fees if they win enforcement cases. This directly affects most workers and employers in Idaho by limiting restrictive employment contracts, except in the specified situations.
H 487 replaces Idaho's parks passport program with a fee-based system for accessing state parks, establishing a new Parks and Recreation Services Fee (Section 49-455) and a dedicated access provision (Section 67-4220). It repeals outdated requirements for snowmobile and off-highway vehicle (OHV) registration, including numbering mandates and nonresident certificates, while creating new funds like the State Snowmobile Fund and OHV Recreation Fund to manage collected fees. This directly affects park visitors, snowmobile operators, and OHV users by shifting from a passport system to fee payments and consolidating revenue streams for recreation programs. The bill also includes technical corrections to update references and streamline administrative processes across parks and recreation laws.
This Idaho bill requires all local police departments and sheriff's offices to apply for a federal program (Section 287(g)) that allows them to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with immigration enforcement. If an agency cannot secure this agreement, it must publicly state its reasons and efforts to cooperate with ICE. The law standardizes formal cooperation with federal immigration enforcement but does not alter immigration policy or create new enforcement powers.
Idaho's H 478 regulates the retail sale of industrial hemp products by prohibiting the sale of hemp-containing food or drink intended for human consumption. Retail stores selling such products must obtain an annual $600 license from the Idaho Department of Agriculture, with additional locations costing $25 each. The law requires stores to comply with state and federal hemp regulations, allows random product testing, and imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for noncompliance. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and authorizes the Department to create implementing rules.
Idaho bill H 474 requires all state and local law enforcement agencies to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of every person arrested during criminal justice processing. It mandates that agencies publish biannual reports by October 1, 2025, detailing crime statistics involving foreign nationals, including arrests of undocumented individuals, specific crimes committed, and reasons for noncompliance. Agencies failing to comply may face withheld state funding. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all police departments, sheriffs' offices, and the Idaho State Police.
This Idaho bill (H 467) establishes a system allowing eligible inmates to earn sentence reductions through rehabilitation efforts. It provides up to 10 days per month for good behavior and specific credits for completing programs like drug treatment (18 days/month), education (e.g., GED = 60 days, bachelor’s degree = 180 days), or job training. The law applies to most inmates serving non-life sentences in state facilities, excluding those convicted of crimes against children, certain violent offenses, or murder. Credits cannot reduce the minimum sentence period or parole eligibility date, and may be forfeited for new offenses or disciplinary actions. The Department of Correction will manage program approvals and track earned credits toward modified release dates.
This bill (H 456) amends Idaho's industrial hemp law to create a specific exception for "negligent violations" by hemp producers. It directly affects hemp farmers and processors who unintentionally exceed the 1% THC limit (dry weight) while following proper protocols. The key provision states producers won't be considered negligent if they grew hemp solely for grain/fiber, made reasonable efforts to stay under the THC limit, and the hemp actually contained no more than 1% THC. The bill also includes procedural details about rulemaking and declares an emergency, making it effective July 1, 2025.
Idaho's H 446 would allow human-use ivermectin to be sold and purchased without a prescription or doctor consultation, treating it as an over-the-counter medication. The bill directly affects Idaho residents seeking to buy ivermectin for human use, removing current prescription requirements. It amends Idaho law to explicitly permit such sales starting July 1, 2025, declaring an emergency to expedite implementation. The law specifically applies to ivermectin "suitable for human use," not veterinary products.
H 429 requires Idaho school districts that receive mitigation fees from new development projects to create a capacity plan and spend those funds only on expanding school capacity, such as building new classrooms or upgrading facilities to accommodate growing student populations. The bill amends existing law to ensure these fees - collected to offset costs from new subdivisions - are directly tied to infrastructure needs, not general operations. School districts must adopt the plan before using the funds, and the plan must detail how the money will increase capacity. This change takes effect on July 1, 2025, applying specifically to school districts receiving such fees.
Idaho's H 433 amends laws governing gestational carrier agreements (surrogacy arrangements). It prohibits paying gestational carriers for their services but allows reimbursement of actual pregnancy-related expenses. The bill requires carriers to be aged 25-35, undergo health evaluations, complete two mandatory counseling sessions, and have given birth before. It also establishes new rules for court validation of agreements, parentage determination, and data collection on gestational carrier arrangements. This directly affects intended parents, gestational carriers, and courts handling surrogacy cases in Idaho.
