S 1065 prohibits unauthorized weather modification (such as cloud seeding for precipitation enhancement) and solar radiation management activities within Idaho, classifying violations as misdemeanors punishable by law. It defines key terms like "cloud seeding" and "solar radiation management" to clarify the scope of the ban and authorizes all state law enforcement officers to enforce the prohibition. The bill exempts cloud seeding operations already authorized by the Idaho Water Resources Board under existing water law. It repeals outdated sections related to weather modification districts and funds, updating Idaho Code to reflect this new regulatory framework.
This Idaho bill (S 1057) expands the state's $205 nonrefundable child tax credit to include "preborn children" (defined as pregnancies diagnosed during the tax year without a live birth that year). To claim the credit for a preborn child, taxpayers must provide a physician's letter certifying the pregnancy diagnosis and lack of delivery to term. The credit applies only to Idaho residents and includes specific rules for divorced parents (mothers claim the credit for preborn children) and standard custody provisions for born children. The bill retroactively applies to January 1, 2025, and requires the credit to be claimed by the mother or the dependent claiming the child.
This bill amends Idaho's county solid waste disposal laws to clarify definitions and add requirements for implementing "flow control" (rules directing waste haulers to specific disposal sites). It directly affects county governments by mandating that any county enacting flow control must first complete an independent study analyzing financial impacts, liability risks, environmental compliance, and alternatives. Key provisions require counties to demonstrate through detailed analysis how flow control protects public investment, prevents underutilized facilities, and ensures waste is managed compliantly. The bill also makes technical corrections to existing definitions and references in waste disposal statutes.
Idaho's S 1055 prohibits credit and debit card networks from charging merchants fees on the tax or tip portions of electronic payments when those amounts are listed separately on receipts. It requires payment networks to either deduct these fees at settlement or refund them within 30 days if merchants provide tax/tip documentation within 180 days. The law applies to all merchants using card payments for taxable items (like sales tax, hotel tax, or tips) and takes effect January 1, 2026. Violations carry a $1,000 penalty per transaction.
Idaho's SCR 104 is a concurrent resolution expressing the legislature's support for the Nuremberg Code, a foundational 1947 ethical framework for medical research. It affirms the Code's principles - like voluntary consent and participant safety - as essential for research in Idaho, while recognizing complementary guidelines (e.g., the Declaration of Helsinki). The resolution urges medical and research institutions in Idaho to follow these ethical standards and encourages education on them, but it does not create new laws or regulations. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding legal effect and primarily serves as a statement of legislative commitment.
Idaho's H 145 amends laws to strengthen the "Dig Once Policy" for broadband infrastructure installation. It requires highway departments and county road districts to maintain an annual registry of broadband providers and notify them 30 days in advance of road projects that could include broadband installation during construction. The bill defines key terms like "broadband" (100 Mbps download speed) and "Dig Once Policy" (minimizing repeated road excavations), and mandates coordination to avoid redundant digging during highway work. This directly affects broadband providers, highway agencies, and contractors by streamlining infrastructure deployment in public rights-of-way.
H 139 amends Idaho's absentee voting laws to clarify who qualifies for an absentee ballot and how applications are processed. It updates the list of valid reasons for absentee voting (including military service, illness, work, religious missions, and living outside one's home county) and prohibits voters or officials from misrepresenting eligibility. The bill requires voters to request absentee ballot applications directly (no automatic mailing), mandates applications be completed by the voter (not pre-filled), and adds rules for unaffiliated voters in primary elections who must specify a party's ballot or receive a nonpartisan one. These changes directly affect Idaho registered voters seeking absentee ballots and county clerks handling applications.
S 1050 requires prospective adoptive parents to provide birth parents with free legal advice and counseling services at the adoptive parents' expense. The bill mandates at least three pre-placement counseling sessions and six post-placement counseling sessions, to be provided by licensed counselors chosen by the birth parents. It also requires adoptive parents to notify birth parents of these rights when seeking financial assistance exceeding $2,000. This directly affects birth parents in adoption cases and prospective adoptive parents who must cover these costs. The bill clarifies that these counseling services and related expenses are considered charitable gifts, not subject to recovery under certain laws.
H 118 repeals Idaho's existing law (Chapter 56, Title 54, Idaho Code) that regulated genetic counselors. This bill directly affects genetic counselors practicing in Idaho by removing their current legal framework and licensing requirements. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025, eliminating the state's specific regulatory provisions for this profession.
Idaho's H 140 bill repeals existing daylight saving time rules and creates two new exemptions: one for the Mountain Time Zone portion of Idaho (most of the state) and another for the Pacific Time Zone portion (a small western area). The bill directly affects Idaho residents in these regions by exempting them from changing clocks twice yearly for daylight saving time. Key provisions require Idaho to follow any future federal law mandating permanent daylight saving time, while the state will otherwise remain on permanent standard time. This policy change aims to eliminate the biannual clock shifts that the legislature cites as disruptive to health, safety, and daily routines.
H 115 amends Idaho's worker's compensation law (Section 72-433) to update medical examination rules for injured workers. It requires employers to reimburse travel expenses for medical exams at the state employee mileage rate, excluding the first 15 miles of any round trip (or trips under 15 miles total). The bill also clarifies that injured workers can have their own physician present during exams, may record exams via audio (with video requiring consent), and must be reimbursed for travel to approved rehabilitation facilities. These changes apply to Idaho workers injured on the job and take effect July 1, 2025.
This bill repeals Idaho's existing law governing certified shorthand reporters (Chapter 31, Title 54, Idaho Code). It removes the legal requirements and regulations currently applied to individuals certified as shorthand reporters within the state. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency. This change directly affects certified shorthand reporters in Idaho by eliminating the specific statutory framework that previously governed their certification and practice.
