Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 936: PROPERTY – Amends Senate Bill 1326a to revise a definition and revise provisions regarding federal government agents and local coordination.

This bill amends existing Idaho law to clarify definitions and procedures for federal government agents conducting searches on private property. It requires federal agents to notify county sheriffs before executing search warrants on private land, except in urgent situations where immediate action is necessary. The legislation also updates legal definitions to specify what constitutes "exigent circumstances," "government agents," and "private land not open to the public" under state law. These changes aim to improve coordination between federal authorities and local law enforcement when searching private property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by requiring federal agents to notify local sheriffs before searches, improving oversight and coordination in criminal justice procedures.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 12, 2026

H 886: TAXATION – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish a state property tax and to provide certain exemptions to such tax.

This bill establishes a new state property tax in Idaho targeting non-primary residential properties, such as vacation homes and short-term rentals, to help fund emergency services and law enforcement. The tax applies a 2.5 mill levy on taxable property value but exempts primary homesteads, commercial properties, agricultural land, and long-term residential leases of at least seven months. Revenue collected from the tax is distributed to counties and local jurisdictions, with 50% specifically designated for law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services. The legislation also repeals an existing restriction that prevented a state property tax when a sales tax is in force, allowing this new levy to operate alongside sales taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new property tax on non-primary residences to fund emergency services and law enforcement, increasing revenue for public services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates tax revenue specifically to fund emergency services and law enforcement, directly supporting criminal justice infrastructure.75% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill imposes new tax on non-primary residential properties including vacation homes and short-term rentals, potentially reducing affordable housing options and increasing costs for secondary housing markets.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Law Enforcement Property Taxes

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1371: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act.

This bill establishes the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act to enhance background checks and reporting requirements for school employees. It requires educational institutions to request disclosure statements from job applicants covering the past ten years, specifically asking about pending investigations, resignations during investigations, and disciplinary actions. The law also mandates that schools cannot replace required law enforcement reports about child abuse or neglect with their own internal reviews. Additionally, the bill provides immunity from civil liability for those who make good faith disclosures and requires that any employment changes during misconduct investigations be reported to the state's professional standards commission.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens background checks and reporting for school employees, enhancing safety and accountability in educational settings through improved law enforcement data sharing.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances student safety and educator accountability through background checks and disclosure requirements, protecting students and supporting safe educational environments90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Teachers

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passed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1442: IDAHO REFUGEE AND ILLEGAL ALIEN ACCOUNTABILITY ACT – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding an audit of the resettlement of refugees and to establish provisions regarding the immigration status and nationality of arrested individuals.

This bill creates two main requirements for Idaho: it mandates annual audits of refugee resettlement services by state-registered organizations, requiring detailed reports on refugee demographics, housing, and health statistics, while also prohibiting these organizations from assisting illegal aliens. Additionally, it requires all law enforcement agencies to verify and record the immigration status and nationality of every arrested individual, with biannual reports filed to the state controller containing crime statistics and transfer information to federal authorities. The bill applies to entities providing refugee services and all state and local law enforcement agencies, with enforcement mechanisms including potential withholding of state funding for noncompliance.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by requiring status checks on all arrestees and restricts refugee services, limiting due process and privacy rights.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts refugee resettlement services and prohibits assistance to illegal aliens, limiting housing access for vulnerable populations.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts refugee services by prohibiting assistance to illegal aliens and mandates immigration status checks for all arrested individuals, increasing enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 944: DISTRIBUTION OF MONEYS IN LIQUOR ACCOUNT – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the distribution of moneys in the Liquor Account.

This bill updates how money collected from Idaho's liquor sales is distributed among state agencies, counties, and cities. It adjusts the percentage of funds allocated to various programs over time, including substance abuse treatment, education, and law enforcement, while also modifying how remaining balances are shared between counties and cities. The legislation establishes specific formulas for distributing funds to local governments based on liquor sales volume and population, with some allocations decreasing gradually until 2023. Additionally, it corrects a reference to an existing code section and sets an emergency provision for the changes to take effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates liquor tax funds to state agencies, counties, and cities for substance abuse treatment, education, and law enforcement, strengthening public service funding.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funds to law enforcement and substance abuse treatment programs, strengthening criminal justice resources and rehabilitation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Idaho · House Apr 2, 2026

H 967: DISTRIBUTION OF MONEYS IN LIQUOR ACCOUNT – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the distribution of moneys in the Liquor Account.

This bill updates how money collected from Idaho's liquor sales is distributed to various state funds and local governments. It adjusts the percentages of funds allocated to counties, cities, and specific programs like law enforcement, substance abuse treatment, and education over a multi-year period starting in fiscal year 2018. The changes gradually shift more funding toward local governments while maintaining set amounts for state agencies and court-related services. The bill also corrects a code reference error and establishes minimum funding levels to protect historical distribution amounts from 1981.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding to local governments and essential programs like law enforcement and substance abuse treatment through liquor tax revenue distribution85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funds to law enforcement and court-related services, strengthening criminal justice infrastructure through increased funding.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 23, 2026

S 1333: VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK FRAUD PREVENTION ACT – Adds to existing law to establish the Virtual Currency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Act.

This Idaho bill requires virtual currency kiosk operators to obtain a money transmitter license and submit detailed quarterly and annual reports to the Idaho Department of Finance. The reports must include transaction volumes, refund data, customer complaints, and contact details for compliance officers, with specific disclosures to prevent fraud and money laundering. Operators must also provide blockchain transaction records and assist law enforcement investigations upon request. The law directly affects kiosk operators in Idaho and the state's regulatory agency.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates kiosk operators to assist law enforcement with fraud prevention and provide blockchain records, directly strengthening law enforcement capabilities under criminal justice.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRequires licensing, reporting, and blockchain disclosures for virtual currency kiosks to prevent fraud, imposing regulatory restrictions on tech operations rather than advancing technology.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Emerging Technology

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 681: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE – Amends existing law to provide that there shall be no statute of limitations for certain felonies.

H 681 eliminates the statute of limitations for specific serious crimes in Idaho, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time regardless of when the offense occurred. It directly affects victims and law enforcement by removing time constraints for prosecuting murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, child sexual abuse (including lewd conduct with children), production of child sexual exploitation material, and terrorism. The bill amends Idaho Code Section 19-401 to explicitly state there is no time limit for these offenses. This change applies to all cases involving the listed crimes, allowing for potential prosecution years or decades after the incident.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates statute of limitations for severe crimes like murder and child sexual abuse, strengthening victims' access to justice and prosecutors' ability to pursue cases without time constraints.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

passed · Idaho · House Mar 17, 2026

H 680: CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding interviews of alleged child abuse victims.

This Idaho bill (H 680) requires all interviews with alleged child abuse victims - conducted by law enforcement, child welfare agencies, or child advocacy centers - to be recorded with sound and video. It applies to safety assessments, investigative interviews, and risk assessments. The law states that not having such recordings won't prevent evidence from being used in court. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates recordings of law enforcement interviews with child abuse victims to enhance accountability and evidence integrity in criminal investigations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 684: COUNTY SHERIFFS – Adds to existing law to authorize a sheriff’s office to seek reimbursement for costs of recapture.

This bill allows Idaho county sheriffs to seek reimbursement from the Idaho Department of Correction for costs incurred when traveling out-of-state to recapture escaped prisoners, probationers, or parolees. Sheriffs can submit invoices detailing travel, mileage, personnel, overtime, or other reasonable recapture costs after successfully returning individuals to custody. The Department of Correction must pay these claims within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice and will appropriate annual funds for this purpose. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies directly to county sheriff's offices and the Department of Correction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes reimbursement for sheriff recapture costs, providing funding for corrections operations, aligning with support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement