This Idaho bill (H 431) requires political candidates to report any compensation received from the federal government for employment or services as part of their standard campaign finance filings. Specifically, it amends campaign finance reporting rules to mandate that candidates include this federal compensation as a "contribution" in their statements filed with the Secretary of State. The change affects all Idaho candidates running for office who receive federal government payments related to their candidacy. It does not alter other reporting requirements but adds this specific detail to existing disclosure obligations.
Idaho bill H 434 prohibits public utilities (like electricity and gas companies) from charging customers for lobbying or political spending through their rates. It directly affects utilities and their customers by banning the recovery of such costs in rate increases, fares, or fees. The bill requires utilities to submit annual reports detailing all political spending, including amounts, recipients, and purposes, to the Public Utilities Commission by January 31 each year. Violations would trigger refunds to customers with interest and fines up to 20 times the illegal charge.
Idaho's H 428 establishes that Idaho Public Television (IPTV) has priority to broadcast all high school sports events sanctioned by the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA), including live, delayed, or online streams. IPTV must notify the IHSAA 30 days before an event; if IPTV declines, other broadcasters may apply under IHSAA rules. Revenue from these broadcasts must fund educational programming and school sports facilities, with a portion allocated to public high schools or the IHSAA. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all public and private high schools in Idaho.
H 430 allows Idaho counties to withdraw from public health districts by a majority vote of their county commissioners. Once a county withdraws, it assumes all public health district responsibilities within its borders and is no longer required to pay district contributions or receive district funds. The bill amends Idaho law to remove withdrawing counties from funding apportionments and additional annual aid requirements. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025.
This bill requires Idaho state agencies to report all agreements (including memorandums of understanding) to the state controller within 10 days of signing. Agencies must also provide a contact person for each agreement. The state controller will maintain and publish a current list of all reported agreements to improve transparency. Failure to report an agreement knowingly may result in liability for the agency under existing state law.
This bill creates two new Idaho tax credits for developers of affordable housing: the Middle Income Property Development Tax Credit and the Middle Income Land Trust Tax Credit. It allows developers to claim a credit equal to the difference between a property's sale price and its appraised value at sale (verified by a third party), provided the property is sold as a "deed restricted" home to households earning at or below 120% of the area median income. These homes must remain affordable for 60 years, with resale prices restricted to inflation-based increases, 25% market appreciation, or a 5% annual cap, and require ongoing verification by a nonprofit manager. The credits apply to new residential properties developed after 2024 and are designed to support long-term affordability for middle-income homebuyers.
This bill would legalize medical cannabis use in Idaho for patients with qualifying conditions, allowing possession, transportation, and use of cannabis products under strict state regulations. It establishes a state-issued card system for patients and caregivers, requires electronic verification for purchases, and limits products to 100ml of liquid or 10 tablets/capsules per package. The bill reclassifies cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II controlled substances under Idaho law and clarifies that insurers are not required to cover medical cannabis. It also defines specific medical uses, prohibits public consumption, and sets up a regulatory framework for pharmacies and healthcare providers.
HJR 5 proposes amending Idaho's constitution to allow cities and counties to adopt new sales and use taxes, subject to voter approval. It would require local governments to get majority voter consent at even-year general elections, with ballot measures specifying taxable products/services, revenue uses, a maximum 4-year term, and a 2% tax cap. Existing local taxes in place before January 1, 2027, would remain unaffected. This amendment, if approved by voters, would restrict new local sales taxes to a single type with strict limits, replacing prior local tax authority. The bill is a constitutional proposal, not a law, and requires voter ratification.
H 375 establishes a new process for cities and counties in Idaho to implement a local sales and use tax, up to 2% of the sales price, through voter approval. It requires cities/counties to hold public hearings, present detailed ballot questions (including tax rate, duration, and specific funding purposes), and secure majority voter approval in even-numbered years. The tax revenues must fund only the services explicitly listed in the ballot question, and the state tax commission will handle collection and administration. This directly affects local governments seeking new revenue and voters deciding on tax proposals.
Idaho's H 367, the "Human Personhood Act," defines a "human being" as beginning at conception and grants full personhood - including all rights and legal protections - to preborn children from that moment. The bill requires Idaho laws to recognize and protect the rights of preborn children at every developmental stage, stating the state's policy is to "cherish and protect the right to life" of all human beings. It explicitly prohibits laws undermining preborn children's personhood but clarifies it does not create legal liability against women for prenatal care decisions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all state laws interpreting rights for preborn children.
This Idaho bill (H 360) removes existing abortion restrictions from state law. It repeals specific provisions including the "Defense of Life Act" (Section 18-622), "Abortion Trafficking" law (Section 18-623), and the "Fetal Heartbeat Protection Act" (Chapter 88). The bill also amends several other sections to eliminate abortion-related language, such as restrictions on public funding for abortion (Section 18-8705) and prohibitions on abortion services in school health clinics (Section 18-8707). These changes take effect July 1, 2025, and directly affect healthcare providers, patients seeking abortion services, and public institutions operating under Idaho law.
H 306 repeals Idaho's existing libel law and creates a new criminal offense for publishing false statements about others with "actual malice" (knowing they are false or disregarding their truth). It defines criminal libel as a felony punishable by up to $100,000 in fines, five years in prison, or both, and requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to victims for specific costs like lost wages or legal fees. The law primarily affects people who spread malicious falsehoods online or otherwise, with county prosecutors handling most cases and the Attorney General overseeing cases involving state officials' conduct. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill aims to address reputational harm caused by false statements amplified through social media.
