S 1328 amends multiple Idaho Code sections to update forest fire protection and land management rules. It clarifies that individuals responsible for uncontrolled fires must immediately act to control them, and the state can recover fire suppression costs through civil action. The bill limits property damage claims to specific categories - fire control costs, verifiable economic losses, and either restoration costs or property value loss - with a 10-year statute of limitations. It also specifies that timber owners must cover fire protection costs on their land, and the Department of Lands can place liens on timber to recover unpaid expenses.
This Idaho bill (S 1338) allows the State Treasurer to invest up to 7.5% of the state's idle funds in physical gold and silver, subject to specific storage requirements. It requires gold and silver to be stored in secure, insured depositories within Idaho, adjacent states, or Texas, with independent audits and physical segregation from other assets. The bill amends existing investment rules to add gold and silver as permitted investments alongside traditional bonds and deposits. It directly affects how the state manages its excess funds, with the State Treasurer responsible for compliance. The policy change is limited to a defined percentage of idle funds and includes strict storage and security protocols.
This bill allows Idaho residents living in single-family homes to keep up to four hens for personal egg consumption, removing barriers created by local ordinances that previously banned such activity. It permits selling or exchanging eggs under existing Idaho cottage food safety rules but prohibits roosters unless local rules allow them. The law preserves local government authority to enforce reasonable regulations on sanitation, noise, or nuisance concerns in household egg production. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to enforcement actions finalized before that date.
Idaho's H 659 requires all local law enforcement agencies (including county sheriffs and municipal police departments) to apply for a federal immigration enforcement program called Section 287(g). This program allows trained local officers to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with immigration enforcement under federal oversight. If an agency cannot join the program, it must publicly state its reasons and efforts to cooperate with ICE. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, after being approved by the Idaho legislature.
HCR 24 is a concurrent resolution honoring Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison Jr., who died in the line of duty on June 29, 2025, while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Engineer David Tysdal, who was critically injured in the same incident. The resolution expresses the Idaho Legislature’s support for these individuals, their families, and all first responders, recognizing their service and commitment to public safety. It commits to supporting measures that enhance first responder safety and directs an enrolled copy to be presented to their families and departments. This procedural resolution was unanimously adopted by the Idaho Legislature on February 4, 2026.
Idaho's H 685 prohibits individuals from wearing masks or disguises while committing specific crimes, including felonies, assault, battery, indecent exposure, or sexual offenses. If convicted under this law, offenders face additional penalties: up to $2,500 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both, on top of their original sentence. Law enforcement officers are exempt from this rule when performing their duties. The bill does not replace existing laws but adds these specific penalties for covered offenses.
SJM 113 is a joint memorial from the Idaho legislature urging Congress to pass enabling legislation for the U.S. Treasury to issue bonds backed by a portion of the nation's gold reserves. The memorial specifically requests that Congress enact this legislation by the end of the 119th Congress to allow an inaugural bond auction on July 4, 2026, with bonds redeemable in U.S. dollars or gold. It does not create new laws or directly affect citizens but serves as a formal request to federal officials and Idaho's congressional delegation. The memorial cites federal law permitting gold clauses in bonds and Idaho's existing sound-money statutes as context for its proposal.
H 626 revises Idaho's rules for local governments imposing development impact fees on new construction projects. It requires fees to be calculated based on actual or estimated infrastructure costs (like roads or water systems) directly tied to new development, not exceeding a project's fair share. The bill mandates clear written explanations for fee calculations, allows developers to request individual assessments using supporting data, and requires fees to fund specific improvements within the project's service area. It also permits exemptions for affordable housing projects if they're in the local comprehensive plan and funded by other sources. The changes primarily affect local governments creating fee ordinances and developers paying these fees.
Idaho's H 692 clarifies who may attend child protection hearings under the Child Protective Act. It creates a "rebuttable presumption" allowing parents, relatives, foster parents, treatment providers, child welfare staff, and legal representatives to attend hearings unless the court finds their presence would harm the child or proceedings. Courts must state their reasoning for admitting or excluding anyone and consider factors like the child's best interests, safety, and potential disruption before making attendance decisions. The bill directly affects children, families, and professionals involved in child welfare cases by standardizing hearing access rules.
This is a procedural resolution (not a bill with policy changes). It formally states that the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee has completed its required review of all pending tax rules proposed by the Idaho State Tax Commission, as mandated by Idaho Code §67-5291. The resolution confirms the committee approved these rules as part of the standard legislative review process. It does not alter any tax rules or affect taxpayers directly; it only documents the committee's completion of its procedural duty.
HCR 28 is a symbolic legislative resolution urging Idaho residents to voluntarily observe March 1, 2026, as a day of fasting and prayer. It asks Idahoans to pray for peaceful resolutions to political violence and social division, for abundant snow and rain to address water shortages, and for wisdom in decision-making by state and federal leaders. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations - it is a non-binding call for voluntary participation, referencing historical precedents like presidential proclamations and other states' similar observances. It directly affects all Idaho residents by encouraging personal, spiritual reflection on these specific issues.
Idaho's S 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, protects patients from surprise bills by requiring out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms to accept the in-network rate as full payment for emergency services. It prohibits these facilities from billing patients for costs exceeding the in-network rate (known as "balance billing") and mandates that health insurance plans pay providers directly for emergency care at the in-network rate, including covering the patient's cost-sharing. The law applies specifically to emergency services provided in freestanding emergency rooms (like standalone facilities not attached to hospitals) and covers all health benefit plans, including self-funded plans. This ensures patients receive emergency care without facing unexpected high costs from out-of-network providers.
