Idaho Bills

H 569 amends Idaho's water skiing law to create two specific exceptions to the requirement that a vessel towing a water skier must have an observer aboard. It allows vessels operating within legal slalom courses if equipped with a rearview mirror meeting size specifications (minimum 4x4 inches), or vessels meeting additional safety criteria: a stern platform for safe entry, recessed propellers, operation during designated hours (May 15-Sept 10 before 9am or Sept 11-May 14 anytime), and using a tow rope with a handle. The bill directly affects water ski operators and instructors who meet these conditions, removing the observer requirement while maintaining other safety rules like the 1-hour sunset-to-sunrise towing ban (except for tournaments) and the mandatory warning flag system.

HJR 7 proposes repealing a constitutional ban (Section 5, Article IX) that currently prohibits Idaho from using public funds to support religious institutions or activities. If approved by voters, this amendment would allow the state legislature to fund religious organizations directly with taxpayer money, removing a long-standing constitutional barrier. The bill itself does not create new funding programs but eliminates the existing constitutional restriction on such appropriations. It is a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval at the next general election, having recently passed committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.

This bill appropriates $644,400 from the Liquor Control Fund to the State Liquor Division for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). The funds are allocated specifically for personnel costs ($57,400), operating expenses ($147,000), and capital projects ($440,000). It declares an emergency to take effect immediately on July 1, 2025, to fund these activities. The bill directly affects the State Liquor Division's budget and operations during the 2026 fiscal year.

This bill appropriates $600,000 from the General Fund to the Public School Income Fund for the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Central Services during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It clarifies that this funding is considered General Fund expenditure and requires school districts participating in a transportation route software pilot program to track costs, savings, and effectiveness data. The State Department of Education must report pilot results to the Legislature by December 2025 and again during the 2027 budget session. The funding supports central services operations for public schools and charter schools participating in the software pilot.

Idaho's S 1193 allocates $11.1 million for the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) during fiscal years 2025-2026, including $8.388 million for personnel and operating costs. The bill increases OITS' authorized staff by 22 full-time positions and requires a December 2025 report on IT cost efficiencies across state agencies. It also provides $81,700 for immediate IT operating expenses in fiscal year 2024-2025. These provisions directly affect OITS and all state agencies using IT services through the reporting requirements.

Idaho's S 1162 prevents local governments (counties/cities) from banning short-term rentals entirely and restricts them to reasonable regulations that treat rentals the same as standard residential properties. Key provisions include prohibiting requirements like mandatory owner presence, professional management, or extra insurance solely due to short-term use, while requiring safety disclosures (smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, first aid kits) to renters. The bill allows local business licenses with limited requirements - such as an annual fee or proof of no recent violations - but bans regulations targeting rental platforms. It directly affects property owners, renters, and local governments managing housing rules, classifying rentals as residential for zoning and safety purposes. The bill failed to pass in the Senate on April 1, 2025.

This Idaho bill (S 1071) amends driver's license fee structures to add a voluntary $2.00 contribution option for vision health programs. When applying for or renewing a driver's license, applicants can choose to add this $2 donation, which will fund "Envision Sight" for vision screening and eye health initiatives. The bill directly affects all Idaho residents obtaining or renewing driver's licenses through the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. It does not require the donation - it is entirely optional and appears as a separate line item on license application fees. The bill was introduced in the Idaho Legislature but ultimately failed to pass in March 2025.

S 1205 allocates $237 million in funding for Idaho's Transportation Department for fiscal years 2025-2026, primarily for highway operations, capital projects, and airport development. It redirects $165 million from the General Fund to a Strategic Initiatives Program and $110 million to the Local Highway Distribution Fund, while reducing certain personnel costs by $101,900. The bill also allows the department to redirect unspent funds from previous years for capital projects and airport grants. This funding supports statewide infrastructure maintenance, road construction, and local highway projects, directly affecting Idaho's transportation infrastructure and local governments receiving highway funds.

This bill allocates $18.98 million in state funding to Idaho's Department of Fish and Game for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, covering staff salaries, operations, and capital projects across programs like wildlife management, fisheries, enforcement, and communications. It specifically appropriates $270,000 from the Fish and Game Expendable Trust Fund for wildlife program operations in 2024-2025 and authorizes the reuse of $1.8 million in unspent depredation funds for wildlife damage claims. The bill also allows the department to reallocate unused funds from deferred maintenance, office remodels, and website projects for nonrecurring expenses through 2026. It takes effect July 1, 2025, with the 2024-2025 funding effective immediately upon passage.

This bill appropriates $1,789,600 to Idaho's State Tax Commission for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026), funding operations across departments like General Services, Audit, and Compliance. It authorizes seven additional full-time staff positions (including two temporary roles for a new parental choice tax credit program) and reduces available tax credit funds by $675,000 to cover administration costs. The bill explicitly ties the new positions to implementing Idaho Code Section 63-3029N (parental choice tax credits) and requires budget adjustments for those temporary roles by 2028. It declares an emergency to take effect July 1, 2025.

This bill (S 1191) provides $529,300 in funding for Idaho's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources for fiscal year 2026, covering personnel and operating costs from the General Fund, Indirect Cost Recovery Fund, and Miscellaneous Revenue Fund. It reduces funding by $48,300 from specific sources (Renewable Energy Resources Fund and Petroleum Price Violation Fund) and authorizes one additional full-time staff position. The bill also requires the office to submit a detailed report by December 1, 2025, on how funds allocated to the Strategic Permitting, Efficiency, and Economic Development Council (SPEED) were used. As a budget measure, it directly affects the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and its operations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Idaho's S 1087 requires health care providers to provide one free copy of a patient's medical records (including mental health records) to the patient, their authorized representative, or attorney when needed for a Social Security benefits claim or appeal. Providers must deliver the copy within 30 days, preferably in electronic format if available. Small independent providers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from this requirement. The bill applies specifically to medical records requested for Social Security benefit processes, not general patient access.