State Affairs

Idaho's H 542, the "Stop Harms from Addictive Social Media Act," targets major social media platforms (those earning $1+ billion in global ad revenue) operating in Idaho. It directly affects children under 16 by restricting platforms' use of specific "addictive interface features" like infinite scrolling, auto-play videos, and profile-based feeds. The law triggers two usage-based restrictions: after 25 cumulative hours in six months, platforms must notify parents; after 50 hours, they must disable addictive features for minors. The bill defines key terms and establishes enforcement mechanisms, focusing on protecting Idaho children's online experiences without banning social media use.

This bill updates election procedures for single countywide highway districts in Idaho, primarily affecting voters and candidates in counties with over 200,000 residents who have chosen to establish such districts. The law requires these larger districts to be divided into five subdistricts of roughly equal population, where commissioners must reside in and represent their specific subdistrict, while also prohibiting certain elected officials like mayors and city council members from running for these positions. The bill establishes new rules for write-in candidates, requiring them to gather a minimum of five votes and file a declaration of intent with the county clerk before their names can appear on ballots. Additionally, it mandates that primary elections for highway district commissioners begin in 2028 and sets salary limits for commissioners, with the district president receiving up to $1,400 per month.

This bill requires state agencies to follow specific procedures when filing insurance claims for property damage exceeding $100,000, including gathering evidence like law enforcement reports and independent damage assessments before accepting settlement offers. It also mandates that proposed settlement agreements be reported to the state controller at least 14 days before acceptance and requires written confirmation from affected agency leaders that payouts represent the maximum available recovery. Additionally, the bill expands confidentiality protections for certain insurance-related reports and updates reporting requirements for state agency agreements to ensure better transparency and oversight.

HCR 29 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Idaho Legislature recognizing the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations designated by U.S. authorities. It directs Idaho lawmakers to consider this status when drafting future legislation, including matters related to land purchases within the state. The resolution cites U.S. government designations of these groups and references their alleged connections to terrorism, but does not create new legal restrictions or penalties. As a concurrent resolution, it has no binding legal effect and serves only to express the Legislature's position.

This bill establishes a new regulatory framework in Idaho for large industrial or commercial electricity customers, requiring public utilities to obtain commission approval before serving new loads that would increase power demand by 50 megawatts or more. The law mandates that utilities conduct a "no harm test" to ensure these new customers can fully cover their share of infrastructure costs without raising rates for existing residential and business customers. Key provisions include a 270-day review period for service contracts, requirements for financial security to protect against stranded costs, and rules preventing customers from splitting loads to avoid the new requirements. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies only to service contracts entered into on or after that date.