Technology

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 17, 2026

H 675: BROADBAND – Amends existing law to revise the definition of broadband.

Idaho's H 675 revises the legal definition of "broadband" to require a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps and upload speed of 20 Mbps. This change directly affects broadband providers (including internet companies, electric cooperatives, and government entities) and infrastructure projects needing to meet this standard. The bill updates existing law to align with current technical requirements for high-speed internet access, replacing outdated definitions. It also clarifies related terms like "broadband infrastructure" and "broadband provider" to ensure consistent application in state regulations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyUpdates broadband definition to modern speed standards (100/20 Mbps), advancing infrastructure requirements for high-speed internet access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1299: DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding limitations on digital identification.

S 1299 (Idaho Code §67-2364) prohibits Idaho state agencies and public entities from requiring digital identification for any government service, benefit, or access. It ensures physical identification remains valid, bans denial of services for refusing digital ID, and prevents agencies from tracking individuals or retaining digital ID data beyond a single transaction. The bill also protects device privacy by prohibiting forced device unlocking and restricting digital ID use to immediate verification only. Violations allow affected residents to seek damages of $500-$2,500 per incident or file lawsuits for service denial.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits mandatory digital ID, bans data retention/tracking, and protects device privacy - directly aligns with data privacy protections in tech policy indicators.90% confidence

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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failed · Idaho · House Mar 31, 2026

H 750: TRANSACTIONS – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding programmable money.

Idaho's H 750 defines "programmable money" (a digital asset that can be programmed for specific uses) and explicitly excludes it from the legal definition of "money." The bill establishes new rules limiting its use, provides legal remedies for violations, and creates criminal penalties for unauthorized or harmful transactions involving programmable money. It directly affects businesses, financial institutions, and individuals using or issuing programmable money within Idaho. The law aims to clarify legal boundaries and protections for this emerging financial tool while addressing potential risks.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts programmable money use with legal penalties and limits, directly regulating a digital asset technology per bill's explicit rules and criminal provisions.85% confidence

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 23, 2026

H 744: BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIERS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the capture or use of biometric identifiers.

H 744 establishes rules for commercial use of biometric identifiers (like fingerprints, facial scans, or voiceprints) in Idaho. It requires businesses to get explicit consent before collecting such data and prohibits selling or sharing it without specific exceptions (e.g., for financial transactions or law enforcement with a warrant). Businesses must store biometric data securely, destroy it within one year after its purpose expires (or upon user revocation of consent), and face civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. The law excludes financial institutions and certain AI development activities from its requirements. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires explicit consent for biometric data collection, prohibits unauthorized sharing, mandates secure storage and destruction - enhancing consumer data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 761: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL – Amends and repeals existing law to provide for the consolidation of the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council.

This bill consolidates Idaho's STEM education programs under the Workforce Development Council by repealing the separate Idaho STEM Action Center structure. It transfers responsibilities like computer science education initiatives, STEM funding oversight, and program coordination to the Council. The key change revises references from "STEM Action Center" to "Workforce Development Council" in all relevant laws, streamlining oversight of K-12 computer science programs and STEM education funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationConsolidates STEM education oversight under Workforce Council, maintaining program funding and coordination without defunding or restricting K-12 STEM initiatives.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill consolidates STEM education programs including computer science initiatives under workforce council, advancing tech education funding and coordination through administrative streamlining.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1297: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – Adds to existing law to establish the Conversational AI Safety Act.

The Conversational AI Safety Act (S 1297) requires operators of public conversational AI services - like chatbots - to clearly disclose when users interact with artificial intelligence, especially for minors under 18. It mandates operators to provide crisis resources for users expressing suicidal thoughts, prevent AI from claiming to offer professional mental health care, and block harmful content such as sexually explicit material or simulated romantic interactions with minors. For minors, the law requires persistent disclosure at session start and every three hours, prohibits engagement rewards targeting youth, and mandates privacy tools for minors and their guardians. Violations could trigger civil penalties up to $500,000 per operator, enforced by Idaho’s Attorney General, with the law taking effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI disclosure, blocks harmful content, and requires crisis resources for minors - regulating AI for user safety and protection under tech policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 1227: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding generative artificial intelligence in public education.

Idaho's S 1227 establishes rules for using generative artificial intelligence (like AI that creates text or images) in public K-12 schools. It requires the state education department to create a framework prioritizing student privacy, safety, and human oversight, while mandating school districts to adopt local policies aligned with this framework. The bill also directs the development of AI literacy standards for students, teacher training programs, and guidelines for purchasing AI tools that comply with privacy laws. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI safety frameworks, student literacy standards, and teacher training for K-12 AI integration, advancing educational technology use with safeguards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrioritizes student privacy/safety in AI use, mandates framework for responsible integration, aligns with data privacy protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Idaho · House Jan 26, 2026

H 519: TAXATION – Amends existing law to update references to the current Internal Revenue Code and to revise certain tax credits related to capital investments and research activities.

H 519 updates Idaho's tax code to align with the current federal Internal Revenue Code (as of 2026) and revises tax credits for business capital investments and research activities. It sets a 3% annual cap on the capital investment tax credit based on qualifying property, including equipment eligible for federal tax credits and qualified broadband infrastructure. The bill also allows eligible businesses to opt for a two-year exemption from personal property taxes on qualifying investments instead of claiming the capital investment credit, subject to specific income and investment criteria. These changes primarily affect Idaho-based businesses making qualifying capital investments or conducting research within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises tax credits for business capital investments and research, providing tax relief to encourage economic activity and align with federal tax code.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides tax credits for qualified broadband infrastructure investments, directly advancing internet access expansion as a technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Broadband Access

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in committee · Idaho · House Jan 28, 2026

H 537: OPEN MEETINGS LAW – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding requirements for open public meetings.

H 537 requires all Idaho public meetings of governing bodies (like city councils or school boards) to include a public comment period accessible in person or via technology such as phone, video, or internet. It mandates that meeting notices must clearly explain how the public can participate and that governing bodies must fix technology disruptions preventing access before proceeding. The bill also prohibits requiring advance comment submissions and sets rules for comment period lengths based on meeting structure (e.g., timed per agenda item or general). These changes apply to all public agencies in Idaho, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates technology access for public comment periods, expanding internet-based participation in government meetings per explicit requirements.95% confidence

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