Idaho legislature sees a host of bills in third week Jan. 26-30

District 9 Representatives are: John Shirts (208) 550-3190,  Judy Boyle (208) 355-3225, and Senator Brandon Shippy (208) 332-1325.

Jan. 26

 HO519 - TAXATION – Amends existing law to update references to the current IRS Code and to revise certain tax credits related to capital investments and research activities. The bill fully conforms Idaho to the tax changes in the OBBB, with a fiscal note estimating an additional decrease of $155 million to general revenue for FY 2026 and each year thereafter. Sponsors: House Revenue and Taxation.

 S1228 - CIVIL RIGHTS – Amends existing law to provide that freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right. Sponsors: Sen. Melissa Wintrow. 

 S1229 - SINGLE COUNTYWIDE HIGHWAY DISTRICTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the election of commissioners in certain single countywide highway districts. Sponsors: Senate State Affairs.  

 S1230 - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding permit and license fees. Sponsors: Senate State Affairs, Sen. Jim Guthrie, Sen. Dustin Manwaring.

Jan. 27

 HO489 - CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT – Adds to existing law to prohibit the use of a mask or disguise during a criminal offense and to provide for a sentencing enhancement. Sponsors: Judiciary, Rules and Administration, Rep. Bruce D. Skaug, Rep. Don Hall. Upper Chamber, to be returned to Judiciary, Rules & Administration.

 HO491 - EMERGENCY FIRST AID – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding immunity of persons giving first aid from damage claims. 50% engrossed, passed in House Jan. 26, 67-0-3, Shirts and Boyle, yes. Referred to Senate Judiciary and Rules.

 HO492 - PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL – Amends existing law to provide that a certain person from the Idaho Association of Counties shall be a member of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. 50% engrossed, passed in House Jan. 26. 67-0-3. Shirts and Boyle, yes. Referred to Senate Judiciary and Rules.

 HO520 - IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT – Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding hearing notices and to revise a provision regarding procedure at a hearing. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO521 - CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS AND CRIME INFORMATION – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding submission by a covered entity for fingerprint screening. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO523 - CAPITOL MALL – Amends existing law to provide that certain persons may be banned from the Capitol building, the Supreme Court building, Capitol Mall properties, and multiagency facilities. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO524 - CHILD CUSTODY INTERFERENCE – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for penalties and remedies regarding child custody interference. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO525 - EXECUTION – Amends existing law to provide that procedures used in an execution shall not be subject to rulemaking, judicial review, or certain other provisions. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO526 - COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS – Adds to existing law to provide that certain cottage food operations may sell time/temperature controlled foods. Sponsors: House Health & Welfare.

 HO527 - YELLOW DOT MOTOR VEHICLE MEDICAL INFORMATION ACT – Repeals existing law relating to the Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Act. Sponsors: House Health and Welfare.

 HO528 - DIRECTED BLOOD PRODUCT TRANSFUSION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding directed blood product transfusion. Sponsors: House Health & Welfare.

 HO529 - HEALTH CARE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding certain out-of-pocket payments for health care services. Sponsors: House Health and Welfare. Referred to House Business.

 HO530 - INSURANCE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding coverage of anticancer medications under health benefit plans. Sponsors: House Health and Welfare. Referred to Business.

 HO531 - EPINEPHRINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the use of epinephrine in schools. Sponsors: House Health and Welfare.

 S1231 - LIQUOR – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding licenses issued to established caterers. Sponsors: Senate State Affairs. Contact: Sen. Brandon Shippy

Jan. 28

 HO532 - TRANSPORTATION – Amends existing law to provide for a certain manner of proving identity. This legislation combines multiple DMV identity requirements (for driver’s licenses, registration, and titling) into one statute.  Sponsors: House Transportation and Defense. 

 HO533 - TRANSPORTATION – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the elimination of vehicle registration stickers. Sponsors: House Transportation and Defense. 

 HO534 - MOTOR VEHICLES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Parent-Student On-Road Driver’s Training program. Sponsors: House Transportation and Defense. 

 HO535 - TRANSPORTATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding apportionment of the Highway Distribution Account, to remove a limitation regarding revenues received from fuel taxes, and to revise a provision regarding the distribution of the tax on special fuels. Sponsors: House Transportation and Defense.

 HO536 - AGRICULTURAL PESTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding agricultural pests. Sponsors: House Local Government.

 HO537 - OPEN MEETINGS LAW – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding requirements for open public meetings. Sponsors: House Local Government, referred to House State Affairs. The Bill’s statement of purpose includes it to be declared as an emergency to take effect July 1, 2026, and is similar to a 2025 bill imposed on School District boards.

 HO538 - STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AFFAIRS – Amends existing law to revise and remove provisions regarding flags flown by a governmental entity, to provide a penalty, and to establish provisions regarding enforcement by the Attorney General. Sponsors: House State Affairs.

 HO539 - IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT – Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding temporary rules and to revise provisions regarding temporary rules. Sponsors: House State Affairs.

 S1232 - CRIME VICTIMS – Repeals and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding proceeds derived from criminal notoriety. Sponsors: Senate Judiciary and Rules.  

 S1233 - CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS ACT – Adds to existing law to provide that no state court shall enforce, consider, or apply any judgment, decree, ruling, or decision of arbitration based on certain forms of religious or cultural law. Sponsors: Senate Judiciary and Rules, Sen. Daniel Foreman, Sen. Josh Keyser.

 S1234 - EDUCATION – Amends existing law to provide for Lewis-Clark State University. Sponsors: Senate Education Committee.

Jan. 29

 HO493 - COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY – Amends existing law to revise the penalty for soliciting commercial sexual activity. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration. Upper Chamber to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, Feb. 2.

 HO540 - PUBLIC RECORDS ACT – Amends existing law to provide that certain records of the Department of Juvenile Corrections shall be exempt from disclosure. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO541 - ENTICING A CHILD – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration.

 HO542 - SOCIAL MEDIA – Adds to existing law to establish the Stop Harms from Addictive Social Media Act. Sponsors: House State Affairs. 

 HO543 - PERSI – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding qualified pre-tax contributions and investment earnings and certain qualified Roth contributions and investment earnings. Sponsors: House Commerce and Human Resources. 

 HO544 - MILITARY – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding leaves of absence from regular duties for military duty. Sponsors: House Commerce and Human Resources. 

 HO545 - COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS – Amends existing law to provide for the licensure of certain persons who have served as a chaplain in any branch of the United States military. Sponsors: House Business.

 HO546 - RESTROOM ACCESS ACT – Adds to existing law to establish the Restroom Access Act. Sponsors: House Business. 

 HO548 - IDAHO SAFE BOATING ACT – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding enforcement. Sponsors: House State Affairs. 

 HO549 - HOSPITAL DISTRICTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the dissolution of hospital districts. Sponsors: House State Affairs.

 HO551 - TAXATION – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the assessment of certain property.  Provides clarification and correction for calculating taxable values of fire protection districts and ambulance service districts not subject to urban renewable district revenue allocation areas. Sponsors: House Revenue and Taxation.

 HO559 - MIDWIFERY – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a licensed midwife to obtain and administer medication indicated for maternal care or neonatal care if a midwife possesses requisite education, training, and experience. Sponsors: House Health and Welfare.

 S1226 - SAMPLE COLLECTIONS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions and requirements regarding collection of DNA samples and thumbprint impressions. Sponsors: Senate Judiciary and Rules.

 S1235 - STATE OFFICES – Amends existing law to provide that gubernatorial appointees who are expressly rejected by the Senate shall not be appointed to any position requiring the advice and consent of the Senate for a period of one year following the Senate’s express rejection. Sponsors: State Affairs. 

 S1237 - VOTERS – Amends and repeals existing law regarding a voter’s affidavit in lieu of identification. Sponsors: Senate State Affairs.

Jan. 30

 HO557 - COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS – Adds to existing law to provide for uniformity in local government antidiscrimination ordinances. Sponsors: House Local Government, Rep. Jaron Crane, Rep. Barbara Ehardt, Rep. Ted Hill, Rep. Jason Monks, Rep. Tony Wisniewski.  

 S1236 - IDAHO WOMEN’S COMMISSION – Repeals Chapter 60, Title 67 of Idaho Code relating to the Idaho Women’s Commission. Sponsors: Senate State Affairs. 

Resolutions and Memorials 

 HR020 - POLITICAL VIOLENCE – States findings of the House of Representatives and condemns political violence, honors the lives of those killed or injured, and calls on all Idahoans to reject all forms of such violence. Sponsors: House State Affairs, and each member individually. Adopted by Voice Vote in the House and filed in the office of the Chief Clerk Jan. 26.

 HCR022 - Passed. SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL – States findings of the Legislature and encourages the celebration of America250 in Idaho. Delivered to Secretary of State on Jan. 26.

 HJM011 - EDUCATION – States findings of the Legislature and calls on Congress to pass and fully fund legislation that fulfills the 40% federal funding commitment in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Sponsors: House Education.

 SJM107 - MINING – States findings of the Legislature and supports Integra Resources mining operations in Idaho. Adopted by voice vote in the Senate Jan. 27. 50% engrossed. Sponsors: Senate Resources and Environment, Sen. Mark Harris. Referred to House Resources and Conservation.

 HCR023 - CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS – States findings of the Legislature and applies to the United States Congress to call a constitutional convention of the states under Article V of the Constitution to propose an amendment. Sponsors: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration. Contact: Rep. John Shirts.

 SCR115 - SOIL CONSERVATION AND WATER RESOURCES – States findings of the Legislature and supports the consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Sponsors: Senate Resources and Environment.