All Roll Calls
Yes: 101 • No: 0
IdahoH 00082025 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
PUBLIC UTILITIES – Amends and repeals existing law to revise provisions regarding public utility regulation.
Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
PUBLIC UTILITIES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
Utility certificate rules for districts repealed
The law repeals the provision concerning utility certificates of convenience and necessity for port and industrial development districts. Beginning July 1, 2025, it also repeals Chapter 11 of Title 61 and Idaho Code section 62-623. The supplied text does not describe those additional rules or establish effects on projects, utility service, or household costs.
Rural telephone funding transition requirement ends
Beginning July 1, 2025, the commission no longer must create a funding transition process for rural telephone companies. The removed requirement covered replacing funding under Idaho Code section 62-610 with universal service funding. The law does not specify resulting changes to household service, bills, or funding amounts.
Transportation carriers lose several older rules
The law repeals provisions covering transportation of people and goods, street and interurban railroads, and express corporations. It also repeals common-carrier filing prerequisites, rate-schedule rules, restrictions on passes, and rules about free property handling. Repeals also cover long- and short-haul regulation and the setting of through routes and joint rates. The supplied text does not explain how these changes affect fares, shipping charges, or household services.
Utility inventory deadlines and fee payments change
Covered utilities must file new or updated property inventories when the commission requires, replacing the six-month deadline. Railroad companies are exempt from inventories, but covered railroads and utilities still owe regulatory fees. Beginning July 1, 2025, fees are payable in equal installments by May 15 and November 15 each year. Unpaid installments accrue 6% annual interest until paid. The text does not state fee amounts or household bill changes.
Interstate phone filings and oversight change
Telephone companies must file schedules of charges for calls between Idaho and other states. Filings also cover through routes and joint rates when those arrangements are established. The commission can investigate interstate freight and communications charges when related activity occurs in Idaho. It can seek federal relief over matters it considers excessive, discriminatory, or contrary to federal law or rules. The amended investigative power no longer expressly names transportation of people.
Public utility rate review rules change
Public utilities must file rates and service terms for public inspection, with filing times and forms set by the commission. Default rate ceilings use January 2, 1913 rates where the commission has rate-setting authority, or rates when it gains authority elsewhere. The commission can approve or set different rates. Beginning July 1, 2025, the amended approval and appeal safeguards no longer expressly include fares or tolls. Commission findings remain required for covered rate, rental, or charge increases and new rate schedules.
Residential electricity rate structure restriction ends
The law repeals a restriction on certain inverted residential electricity rate structures. The supplied text does not define those structures. It does not establish whether household electric bills rise or fall.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Ben Adams
Republican • Senate
Joe A. Palmer
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 1/30/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 67 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 10, 2025 Session Law Chapter 20 Effective: 07/01/2025
3/11/2025Delivered to Governor at 11:37 a.m. on March 10, 2025
3/11/2025Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/10/2025SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/7/2025SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/7/2025SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/6/2025HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/5/2025HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1
3/4/2025SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
2/17/2025SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
2/14/2025SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
1/31/2025SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
1/31/2025SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-0-3
1/30/2025HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
1/29/2025HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
1/28/2025HouseReported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
1/14/2025HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
1/13/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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