Budget & Taxes

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 871: APPROPRIATIONS – STATE TAX COMMISSION – Relates to the appropriation to the State Tax Commission for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill provides funding to Idaho's State Tax Commission for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating money for personnel, operating expenses, and capital costs across various departments. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts from different state funds, including the General Fund and specialized tax funds, to support general services, compliance activities, and property tax operations. A portion of the 2026 funding is restricted to payments for a specific tax collection vendor, with unused funds returning to the General Fund. The bill includes an emergency declaration to allow immediate implementation of the 2026 funding provisions upon signing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides funding to the State Tax Commission for operations, personnel, and compliance activities, directly advancing budget appropriations for tax administration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Property Tax State Budget

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 863: MEDICAID – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding provider payment.

This bill updates Idaho Medicaid rules to increase transparency and oversight of payments to healthcare providers, particularly those serving people with disabilities. It establishes specific payment rates based on Medicare equivalents for most services, requires annual cost surveys with audits for residential habilitation providers, and mandates that providers spend allocated funds on direct care worker wages or face potential penalties. The legislation also introduces value-based payment options for certain providers, sets reimbursement percentages for different hospital types, and requires the state to reduce general fund spending on hospital payments by specified amounts. Additionally, it declares certain existing administrative rules null and void as of July 1, 2026, and requires all future provider rate changes to receive legislative approval through the budget process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens Medicaid oversight and ensures funds are spent on direct care wages, promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting essential public assistance programs.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases transparency, oversight, and mandates spending on direct care wages, strengthening Medicaid provider payments and protecting vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates providers spend allocated funds on direct care worker wages, protecting worker compensation and employment standards in healthcare.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1429: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill appropriates and adjusts funding for Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare's behavioral health services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directly affecting substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and psychiatric hospitalization programs. It allocates specific amounts from various state funds to personnel, operating expenses, and capital outlays for children's mental health, adult mental health, and state psychiatric hospitals, while also reducing certain appropriations from other designated funds. The legislation authorizes 15 additional full-time equivalent positions for the Division of Mental Health Services and allows those divisions to transfer money for personnel and benefit payments. Additionally, it requires the Department to submit a report on Idaho Behavioral Health Plan expenditures by December 1, 2026, and declares an emergency to make the funding changes effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates and adjusts funding for behavioral health services, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates and adjusts funding for behavioral health services, directly increasing financial resources for mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1409: APPROPRIATIONS – IDAHO STATE POLICE – Relates to the appropriation to the Idaho State Police for fiscal year 2027.

This bill appropriates $4.89 million to the Idaho State Police for fiscal year 2027, covering operating expenses and capital outlays for various programs and divisions. The funding is allocated across specific areas including brand inspection, investigations, patrol operations, law enforcement programs, support services, and the post academy, with money drawn from multiple state and federal funds. The legislation declares an emergency to allow the appropriation to take effect immediately on July 1, 2026, ensuring the Idaho State Police have the necessary resources for that fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $4.89 million to Idaho State Police for FY2027, directly funding essential public safety services and law enforcement operations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides $4.89M funding to Idaho State Police for operations, investigations, and law enforcement programs, directly strengthening criminal justice infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Law Enforcement Policing

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1402: APPROPRIATIONS – DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Juvenile Corrections for fiscal year 2027.

This bill provides additional funding to Idaho's Department of Juvenile Corrections for fiscal year 2027, covering personnel costs, operating expenses, and capital outlays from various state funds. It authorizes the department to hire six additional full-time equivalent positions and adjusts specific appropriation amounts, including a reduction of $327,000 for trustee and benefit payments from one fund. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and was signed into law by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides additional funding to Department of Juvenile Corrections, increasing personnel and operating expenses for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides additional funding to Department of Juvenile Corrections, enabling hiring of staff and covering operating expenses, which strengthens juvenile justice infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Juvenile Justice

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1447: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – STUDENT SUPPORT DIVISION – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal year 2027.

This bill directs $5 million from the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Student Support for fiscal year 2027 to help fund student support services. It also transfers $1 million from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund and $4 million from the Driver Training Account into the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to provide the necessary money for this appropriation. The legislation clarifies the funding source for these expenditures and sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration to ensure immediate implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $5M to student support services and clarifies funding sources, strengthening public education budget.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $5M to student support services and clarifies funding sources, directly advancing educational support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

passed · Idaho · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 1423: 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 Idaho bill establishes the Financial Accountability Stablecoin Transaction (FAST) Act to authorize the state government to use privately issued payment stablecoins for paying vendors and contractors. The legislation defines eligible stablecoins as those backed one-to-one by U.S. dollars or Treasury obligations, meeting specific criteria including at least $2 billion in annual transaction volume and being issued by U.S.-based entities with U.S. citizen founders and shareholders. The state treasurer will maintain an annual list of approved stablecoins and submit reports to the legislature on transaction volumes, cost savings, and fiscal benefits, while vendors may voluntarily choose to receive payments in these digital currencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by enabling stablecoin payments for vendors, potentially improving budget efficiency and modernizing state financial management.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill authorizes state use of stablecoins, promoting digital payment technology and financial innovation while establishing regulatory frameworks for stablecoin transactions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending

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passed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1420: MEDICAL EDUCATION – Amends existing law to provide for the Medical Education Fund and to provide for certain funding.

This bill creates a Medical Education Fund in Idaho to support state-funded medical students by requiring them to sign contracts committing to four years of full-time medical practice in the state after completing their education or residency. The fund will be financed through reimbursements from physicians who leave the state, a one percent tax on health insurance premiums starting in 2028, legislative appropriations, donations, and interest earned on fund investments. If a physician does not fulfill their service commitment, they must repay the state's financial support according to an amortized schedule over eight years, with provisions for suspending or waiving repayment in cases of hardship, disability, or military service. The bill applies to medical students enrolling in state-supported programs beginning fall 2023 and establishes an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a Medical Education Fund with multiple funding sources including a new tax on health insurance premiums and legislative appropriations to support state medical education and workforce retention.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Medical Education Fund to support state-funded medical students and improve healthcare workforce retention in Idaho through funding mechanisms and service commitments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 965: APPROPRIATIONS – SMEC & ISHS – Relates to the appropriation to the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination and the Idaho State Historical Society for fiscal year 2027.

This bill adjusts funding and staffing levels for two Idaho state agencies for fiscal year 2027. It increases money and authorized positions for the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination while reducing both funding and staff positions for the Idaho State Historical Society by the same amount. The legislation also allows the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination to move money between different budget categories without restrictions. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and the bill was signed into law by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds to state agencies, including increased funding for Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, directly supporting budget and appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill increases funding and staffing for Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, which directly supports energy-related activities and coordination.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 6, 2026

H 840: COMMISSION ON HISPANIC AFFAIRS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

This bill amends Idaho state laws to update provisions related to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, adjust tobacco taxes, and clarify income tax credit rules for charitable contributions. It establishes the nine-member Commission on Hispanic Affairs with appointments from legislative leaders and community members, sets a 5% tax on tobacco products with funds allocated to education safety, substance abuse prevention, and juvenile services, and defines eligible organizations for state income tax credits including the Commission on Hispanic Affairs. The legislation also specifies how tax credits are calculated for individuals and corporations and outlines requirements for educational institutions to qualify for certain charitable contribution credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a commission, creates tobacco tax funding for public services, and clarifies income tax credit rules for charitable contributions, advancing budget and taxation policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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