Business

This bill establishes a State Historic Preservation Officer in Idaho and creates a state historic preservation program to protect and manage historic sites. The officer would be appointed by the governor and placed within the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, with authority to hire staff and appoint a review board to oversee preservation efforts. The legislation also updates related definitions in state law and repeals an obsolete section regarding the historic preservation officer position. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to align Idaho's historic preservation efforts with national standards.

H 721 updates Idaho's building code rules for public school construction plans. It allows school districts to choose between local governments or the state division of occupational and professional licenses for plan reviews, but sets strict certification requirements for reviewers (e.g., International Code Council certification for structural reviews). The bill mandates a 30-day initial review timeline and limits fees for school plan reviews to those set by the state division. It directly affects public school districts, contractors, and local governments handling school construction projects.

This bill updates Idaho's tobacco laws to clarify definitions and regulations for the sale of cigars and related products. It establishes new categories for businesses, such as mobile cigar retailers and designated cigar gardens for events, and expands the definition of tobacco products to include various accessories and electronic smoking devices. The legislation also revises rules for how permits are issued, how vendors assist customers during sales, and how opened packages and samples are handled. These changes apply to retailers, distributors, and event organizers who sell or distribute tobacco products in Idaho.

This bill clarifies that Idaho chiropractors with clinical nutrition certification may prescribe specific non-controlled medications, including certain vitamins (A, B complex, C), minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc), fluids (saline, dextrose), epinephrine, and oxygen for emergencies. It specifies these drugs must be obtained from licensed sources and administered via approved routes, while prohibiting chiropractors from compounding vitamins/minerals themselves. The law directly affects certified chiropractors in Idaho, allowing them to prescribe these items during practice without altering existing non-prescription supplement use. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, after passing unanimously in the Idaho Senate.

S 1313 creates a voluntary licensure pathway for pharmacists in Idaho to become naturopathic doctors by requiring them to complete a 160-credit-hour naturopathic program and pass a competency exam, while maintaining their existing pharmacy license. The bill amends Idaho Code to include pharmacists in the definition of "licensed naturopathic doctor" and updates committee structures to reflect this new option, including adding a pharmacist to the formulary committee. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.