Budget & Taxes

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 843: TAXATION – Amends existing law to eliminate proration of the homestead property tax exemption.

This bill eliminates the proration of Idaho's homestead property tax exemption, allowing homeowners to receive the full exemption amount for the entire tax year if they qualify. It applies to owners who use their primary residence as their main dwelling and meet specific eligibility requirements, including uniform property appraisal certification by the state tax commission. Under the new rules, the exemption is calculated based on the full market value reduction rather than being divided by the number of days the property is occupied, and applications must be submitted by the end of the county's business year to receive the full benefit. The law also clarifies that if a homeowner's eligibility status changes during the year, taxes will be prorated only for the period after the status change occurs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill eliminates proration of homestead property tax exemption, providing tax relief to homeowners and reducing their tax burden.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens homeowner tax benefits by eliminating proration, making housing more affordable for qualifying homeowners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1432: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – OTHER PROGRAMS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates $11.1 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027, primarily funding the Division of Indirect Support Services and the Domestic Violence Council. While it adds new funding from various state funds, it simultaneously reduces the overall budget for Indirect Support Services by over $10 million and cuts authorized staff positions by 58 full-time equivalents. The legislation also allows certain licensing funds to transfer money for personnel costs and benefits, and it takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces overall budget for Indirect Support Services by over $10 million and cuts 58 staff positions despite adding some new funding, effectively limiting the program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

signed · Idaho · House Mar 24, 2026

H 870: APPROPRIATIONS – OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Office of Information Technology Services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill allocates funding and authorizes new positions for Idaho's Office of Information Technology Services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It provides approximately $10.7 million in total funding across personnel, operating, and capital costs from the General Fund, Administration and Accounting Services Fund, and Federal Grant Fund. The legislation also increases the office's authorized workforce by 59.5 full-time equivalent positions for 2027 and an additional 0.5 position for 2026 to support the E-CORE Federal Grant program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10.7M in funding for state IT services, directly advancing budget appropriations and strengthening government technology infrastructure95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funding and authorizes new positions for state IT services, directly strengthening technology infrastructure and capacity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 906: APPROPRIATIONS – STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – COMMUNITY COLLEGES – Relates to the appropriation to the State Board of Education for community colleges for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates $1,368,700 in state funding to Idaho's four community colleges for fiscal year 2027, with specific amounts designated for personnel and operating expenses at each institution. The legislation also reduces the total appropriation by $245,500 from the previous year's funding levels across the same colleges. The funds are distributed through the State Board of Education's General Fund and become effective on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.368M in state funding to community colleges for FY2027, directly advancing education appropriations and public service funding.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces community college funding by $245,500 from previous year, cutting resources for education despite allocating some funds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1434: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – DIVISION OF WELFARE – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates and adjusts funding for Idaho's Division of Welfare for fiscal year 2027, covering the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It allocates $6.9 million total from two Cooperative Welfare funds, with $3 million designated for personnel costs and $3.8 million for operating expenses, while also setting aside $98,300 for benefit payments. The legislation simultaneously reduces the overall appropriation by $3.1 million from the Federal Fund, specifically cutting $3 million for personnel and $98,300 for benefit payments. The bill includes a declaration of emergency and takes effect immediately upon signing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $6.9M for Division of Welfare, funding essential public services and personnel costs for fiscal year 2027.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 868: APPROPRIATIONS – PERSI – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Employee Retirement System for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates $2,599,400 in state funds to Idaho's Public Employee Retirement System for fiscal year 2027, covering the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The money is divided between $2,227,300 for operating expenses and $372,100 for capital outlays, drawn from the PERSI Administrative Fund and PERSI Special Fund. The legislation declares an emergency to make the funding effective immediately upon passage, ensuring the retirement system has the necessary resources for its designated programs and expense classes during the upcoming fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.6M to fund Public Employee Retirement System operations and capital outlays, strengthening fiscal management and supporting essential public service infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pensions

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1438: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY DIVISION – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for fiscal year 2027.

This bill reduces the state funding for Idaho's Digital Learning Academy by $13.5 million for fiscal year 2027 and adjusts related financial transfers between state funds. The legislation requires the academy to limit course offerings and deny new enrollments if necessary to maintain a positive cash balance, while prohibiting withdrawals from the Public Education Stabilization Fund for this program. Additionally, the bill mandates that the academy verify compliance with state nondiscrimination standards for diversity, equity, and inclusion courses and submit a compliance report by December 2026. The law also requires detailed reporting on course costs, enrollment data, and budget information to the Legislative Services Office by August 2026 to improve transparency in how state funds are used.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces state funding for Digital Learning Academy by $13.5M and limits course offerings, directly defunding an essential education program.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill cuts $13.5M in funding, limits course offerings, and restricts new enrollments to maintain cash balance, directly reducing educational access and resources.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill reduces funding for Idaho Digital Learning Academy, limits course offerings, and restricts new enrollments, weakening digital education access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 16, 2026

H 901: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY STABLECOIN TRANSACTION ACT – Adds to existing law to establish the Financial Accountability Stablecoin Transaction (FAST) Act to provide for the authorization and use of payment stablecoins.

This bill, known as the FAST Act, authorizes the State of Idaho to use payment stablecoins for making payments to vendors and contractors. It establishes a list of approved stablecoins that must meet specific federal standards under the GENIUS Act, including being fully backed by U.S. dollars or treasury obligations and issued by U.S.-based entities with transparent reserve reporting. The state treasurer will maintain this list annually and report to the legislature on how stablecoin usage provides fiscal benefits, while vendors can choose but are not required to accept these digital payments. The bill also allows Idaho to coordinate with other states on stablecoin policies and requires secure systems for handling these transactions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by modernizing payment systems for state vendors, potentially improving budget efficiency and transparency through regulated stablecoin usage.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill authorizes state use of stablecoins for payments, establishing regulatory framework that enhances financial technology adoption while ensuring consumer protection through federal standards and transparency requirements.85% confidence

Track

failed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 951: APPROPRIATIONS – OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL – Relates to the appropriation to the Office of the Attorney General for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill appropriates $980,000 from the Consumer Protection Fund to the Idaho Office of the Attorney General for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are designated for two specific programs: $910,000 for State Legal Services and $70,000 for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives. The legislation directs that these monies be used for personnel costs related to the Attorney General's duties under Idaho law. An emergency clause is included to allow immediate implementation of the funding for fiscal year 2026 upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $980,000 to fund Attorney General programs, directly advancing budget allocation for essential government services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $70,000 specifically for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives, strengthening cybersecurity and child protection in digital spaces.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 877: APPROPRIATIONS – DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION – Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for fiscal year 2027.

This bill allocates an additional $2,100 from the state's General Fund to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. The money is designated for operating expenses covering the fiscal year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The legislation includes a declaration of emergency to ensure the funding takes effect immediately on July 1, 2026. This appropriation supports the program's ongoing operations without changing existing laws or eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2,100 to Vocational Rehabilitation program, directly increasing funding for public services and essential programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget