Idaho Bills

This bill allocates $1.52 million from the Liquor Control Fund to Idaho's State Liquor Division for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It specifies $57,400 for personnel, $478,800 for operating costs, and $985,500 for capital projects like facility improvements. The funding directly supports the division's operations, including staffing and infrastructure. The bill was introduced in March 2025 but failed to pass the Senate on March 11, 2025.

Idaho's H 313 requires all public schools and charter schools to implement sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) prevention measures. It mandates annual acknowledgment forms signed by students and parents/guardians about SCA symptoms (like fainting, chest pain, or racing heart during activity), provides symptom education materials, and requires coaches to complete SCA training every even-numbered school year. Schools must remove students showing SCA symptoms during athletic activities and ensure they receive medical clearance before returning. The bill applies directly to public school students, coaches, and school staff involved in athletic programs. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Idaho's H 157 requires courts to collect DNA samples and thumbprints from individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to "serious crimes" as defined in the bill, including certain felonies and specific misdemeanors like domestic violence, sexual battery, or stalking. The bill revises existing law to expand the scope of offenses requiring collection - now covering some misdemeanors previously excluded - and mandates collection at sentencing under new procedures. It replaces outdated sections with clearer rules about who must provide samples, when, and where, while defining key terms like "serious crimes" and "DNA database." The law aims to improve identification of offenders for law enforcement, aligning with Idaho's statewide DNA database system.

This Idaho bill (H 44) updates school policies to address harassment, intimidation, and bullying. It requires public school districts and charter schools to annually share anti-bullying information with staff, parents, and students; provide ongoing staff training; and create policies with graduated consequences (like counseling or restorative practices) for bullying incidents. Schools must also report bullying-related suspensions to parents, law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected, and submit annual incident data to the state education department. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed, but it failed to advance in the legislature (13-21 vote) in March 2025.

Idaho's H 301 amends state procurement laws to clarify definitions, update budget request requirements, and revise bidding procedures for state agencies. It establishes a $250,000 threshold for requiring competitive bids on property purchases, defines key terms like "request for proposal," and adds new rules for soliciting bids (e.g., Section 67-9208A). The bill directly affects state departments and offices that procure goods or services, requiring them to submit detailed budget requests for major acquisitions and follow updated ethics and disclosure rules. These changes streamline procurement processes without creating new funding or altering state spending limits.

This Idaho bill allows owners of individual life insurance policies with a face value exceeding $50,000 to request that notices of policy lapse or termination due to nonpayment of premiums be sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) instead of standard mail. To make this request, policy owners must submit a written request to their insurer at least 90 days before the expected lapse, and the insurer must acknowledge it in writing. The insurer is then required to send the certified mail notice at least 10 days before the lapse to both the policy owner and their designated contact, if provided. If the certified mail is undeliverable or refused, the insurer has no further obligation under this provision.

This bill establishes Idaho's Adult Alternative Instructional Diploma Program to help adults aged 21+ without high school diplomas earn accredited diplomas while developing job skills. It creates requirements for qualified providers (like nonprofits or accredited schools) to offer career-focused coursework, employability certifications, and workforce credential preparation. The state will reimburse providers $733 per high school credit completed by students, with providers required to report graduation rates and student outcomes annually. A dedicated fund (33-919) will finance this pilot program, using legislative appropriations to support diploma issuance for eligible Idaho residents. The program aims to recognize these diplomas as equivalent to traditional high school diplomas within Idaho.

H 147 would revise Idaho's school bond limits by increasing the maximum amount that certain school districts can issue. It raises the borrowing limit from 5% to 8% of a district's total assessed property value (after subtracting existing bond debt) for elementary districts with at least six teachers or those operating both elementary and secondary schools. Other school districts would remain restricted to a 2% limit on bond issuance. The bill also includes retroactive application to January 1, 2025, for any bonds issued under the new terms.

HJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to Idaho's education clause (Article IX, Section 9). It would remove the current provision allowing the legislature to require children aged 6-18 to attend public school unless educated "by other means," and instead add that "the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools shall not be infringed." This directly affects parents and guardians seeking educational alternatives to public schools, such as homeschooling or private education. If approved, the amendment would fundamentally shift the legal framework governing educational choices by limiting state authority over non-public school education.

H 156 amends Idaho Code § 20-1002 to update compensation for members of the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. It specifies that commissioners receive $300 per day for attending quarterly meetings held separately from hearings, and $400 per day when conducting parole, pardon, or related hearings. The bill affects the seven commissioners appointed by the governor, changing their daily payment rates for specific duties while maintaining existing expense reimbursement rules. This is a procedural adjustment to compensation rates, not a substantive change to parole or pardon procedures.

Idaho's S 1025 revises the Empowering Parents Grant Program to provide eligible Idaho students (ages 3-18, or 3-21 for special needs) with a $5,000 grant to cover approved education expenses. The grant can be used for tuition at participating schools/prekindergarten, educational technology (up to $1,000), textbooks, standardized tests, and specific therapies. Priority is given to students from households earning under $60,000 annually, with faster processing for this group. Participating schools must meet requirements like non-discrimination policies, background checks for staff, and data reporting to the state education department.