All Roll Calls
Yes: 101 • No: 0
IdahoH 08932026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
CODIFIER’S CORRECTIONS – Amends existing law to make codifier’s corrections.
Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
28 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 9 costs, 13 mixed.
Foreign owners must register or sell
Foreign principals who own or acquire Idaho agricultural land or water rights must register with the Department of Agriculture within 60 days. Those who own or acquire mining claims or mineral rights must register with the Department of Lands and the Secretary of State within 60 days and provide required property details. If a foreign owner fails to divest when required, the Attorney General brings a court case and the court orders a judicial sale. Sale proceeds pay lienholders and costs first; any remainder goes to the recorded owner subject to remaining liens.
Stricter limits on foreign control of land
The law blocks foreign governments and state‑controlled entities from holding controlling interests in Idaho farm and forest land, water rights, and mineral interests. Foreign principals from adversary countries must also avoid controlling interests, except for small indirect stakes under 5% or certain U.S. adviser‑managed, noncontrolling investments. Covered foreign owners must sell or transfer these assets within 180 days after the law’s effective date. Some involuntary or inherited acquisitions after July 1, 2025 are allowed but still must be sold within 180 days. Entities with a CFIUS national‑security agreement as of July 1, 2025 that they maintain are exempt. Only foreign entities, the Attorney General, or whistleblowers have to determine if the rules apply; others have no duty or liability. A whistleblower whose tip leads to a court‑ordered sale gets 30% of sale proceeds after lienholders and costs are paid. The whistleblower reward provision starts 180 days after this section’s enforcement date. The Departments of Agriculture and Lands must write rules, subject to legislative approval.
Health care staffing and quality rules
A licensed nurse may delegate tasks that do not require independent clinical judgment to trained, certified non‑nurse staff, with proper supervision. The law also defines health care “peer review,” including credentialing, quality improvement, patient‑safety investigations, and professional review actions. These steps support safer care and clearer roles for care teams.
Ranchers get longer leases, payouts
The law lets state grazing leases run up to 40 years. If you lose a lease but made approved improvements, the state pays you for them. Improvements can include fencing, buildings, wells, cisterns, certain plowing, and growing crops. Plowing counts only if done within one year and no crop grew after. Most state land leases now run January 1 to December 31 and end on December 31 of the expiration year.
College presidents lead Title IX work
At each Idaho public college, the president is responsible for Title IX compliance. Presidents may delegate tasks but must approve final sanctions and accommodations. They must adopt narrowly tailored policies, ensure prompt investigations, and send an annual report by July 1 with complaint numbers, outcomes, policies, interim measures, and corrective actions.
Multi-factor logins for state systems
State agencies can be required to use multi‑factor login for email, cloud accounts, web apps, networks, servers, and databases. The legislative and judicial branches and elected constitutional officers and their staffs must use multi‑factor login. These rules strengthen cybersecurity across state government.
More transparency from licensing boards
Starting with the fiscal year 2027 report, licensing agencies must publish counts for each license type. They report total licensees, new and denied applicants, renewals, non‑renewals, complaints, and final discipline. They also break down discipline by type and by technical vs. quality‑related issues, and give short, de‑identified summaries of quality‑related violations.
Stricter misconduct rules for unemployment
Beginning July 1, 2026, more actions can count as workplace misconduct for unemployment claims. Willfully ignoring an employer’s interests or reasonable rules, or failing basic behavior standards, can disqualify you. Simple mistakes, isolated negligence, or inability to meet goals do not count. Personal, non‑job conduct outside work usually does not count.
Assisted living admins and inspections
Each assisted living or residential care facility must have a state‑licensed administrator. One administrator may serve up to three facilities and may delegate daily duties to on‑site managers. A license is required before opening; a fire life‑safety inspection is not required before the license but must happen within 180 days after issuance. Established Idaho operators do not have to resubmit policies and procedures when changing the operator or lessee in a currently licensed building.
New rules for leasing state lands
Residential leases on endowment lands can run up to 35 years. Commercial leases can run up to 49 years, but leases over 20 years require county consultation and a local hearing (grazing is excluded). General state trust land leases are capped at 20 years. Public‑purpose leases to governments can run up to 25 years at fair‑market rent. Commercial uses include certain energy projects (at least 25 kW), retail, offices, hospitality, recreation, and multifamily housing; farming, grazing, and single‑family homes are not counted as commercial. The board may award commercial leases by proposals or sealed bids to get the highest long‑term return at fair‑market rent. For commercial leases, the board can require you to remove fixed improvements at lease end or let the state keep them. If your lease ends December 31, you must apply to lease or renew by April 30.
America250 fund, committee, and oversight
The state creates an America250 commemoration fund and a seven‑member advisory committee to approve spending. The Division of Financial Management must approve spending authority for state entities and may require creating a miscellaneous fund. The State Treasurer tracks revenues and spending by source and prevents overspending. Any unobligated money in the fund on June 30, 2027 moves to the general fund.
Optional state parks pass at registration
You can add a state parks passport when you register your vehicle. It costs $10 for one year or $20 for two years. The money goes to the park and recreation fund and is subject to appropriation. This payment is not treated as a motor vehicle registration fee.
Fees for bikes, buses, and ATVs
School buses run by a nonprofit or under contract with a district pay $24 per year to register. Street‑legal motorcycles that meet federal safety rules pay $19 per year. To drive an ATV, UTV, or most motorbikes on roads open to them, you must buy a restricted plate and a certificate of number. Motorbikes 50cc or smaller are excluded. Some nonresidents can buy restricted plates.
Specialty plate program fees set
Special plates charge upfront and yearly program fees. Most legacy programs charge $25 to start and $15 each year. Plates under section 49‑417E charge $70 to start and $50 each year. Plates under sections 49‑406 and 49‑406A charge $25 to start and no annual fee. New programs effective on or after January 1, 2013 charge $35 to start and $25 each year.
Fingerprint checks for state IT hires
State IT jobs and contracts that serve other agencies now require fingerprint‑based criminal history checks for listed IT roles. Checks use Idaho and FBI records. Applicants and contractors in fields like network, software, data, and security must pass these checks before working.
Drinking water labs: fees and audits
Drinking water labs must apply for certification each year and file renewals at least 30 days before the current certificate ends. Fees apply: in‑state chemistry is $100 per discipline plus $20 per analyte per method, and microbiology is $150; out‑of‑state chemistry is $200 per discipline plus $20 per analyte per method, and microbiology is $300. New labs pay a nonrefundable $250 per discipline application fee. The Department audits labs on‑site at least every three years. Labs must send results within 10 business days and report certain contaminant exceedances and positive total coliform tests promptly.
New towing and repo plate rules
Repossession services and lenders may use a repo plate to move a repossessed vehicle and to show it to a buyer for up to 96 hours. Wrecker plates let towing businesses display a plate on towed vehicles if the tow truck is properly registered. Both plate types follow staggered registration and use the same fee level as vehicles 1–2 years old, plus any other applicable fees.
Misdemeanor for ads of illegal drugs
Publishing a commercial ad in Idaho for marijuana or other illegal drugs is a misdemeanor. The fine is $500 for each day the ad runs. Each day is a separate offense. Fines are split 90% to the county sheriff’s office and 10% to the county district court fund.
New plate and heritage trust funding
Starting January 1, 2026, you can buy an "Appeal to Heaven" special plate. The first plate costs $35; each renewal is $25; a sample plate is $15. This plate is not allowed for vehicles over 26,000 pounds and is exempt from prequalification. The Idaho Heritage Trust gets $0.50 for each specialty plate using the state’s copyrighted design. The trust can spend only its interest, and grants can cover no more than 50% of a project, so sponsors must match at least half.
New car registration fees and rules
You must register before driving on Idaho highways. Light vehicles (≤ 8,000 lbs) that meet federal safety rules pay $69 a year if 1–2 years old, $57 if 3–4 years, and $45 if 7–8 years. Idaho uses 12 staggered renewal months, and first-year fees can be prorated by month. Fees are not refundable. Vehicles that do not meet federal safety standards cannot be registered or driven unless the law allows it. Heavier vehicles over set weight limits must register with the Idaho Transportation Department.
Faster daycare licenses and stronger checks
The Department issues a basic daycare license within 60 days after a complete application, inspections, and criminal history are received and you meet the rules. Licenses last two years. The Department sends renewal forms at least 90 days before expiration; if you file the renewal, fee, and criminal history before expiry, you may keep operating during review. Daycare supervision standards are clarified for different ages and activities. For background checks on people under 18, juvenile court and probation records may be checked with the minor’s and parent’s permission.
Student cell phone rules at school
By December 31, 2025, each district and charter school must post a policy that limits student use of electronic devices during school hours to cut distractions. A school may ban students from carrying devices to meet this rule. Policies must allow exceptions, including required special‑education accommodations, and must state discipline steps. Each policy must be on the school’s public website.
Small-seller sales tax break and rules
If you are an Idaho resident individual with $5,000 or less in sales this year or last, your sales of most goods are exempt from collecting state sales or use tax. This does not cover vehicles, boats, aircraft, alcohol, tobacco, or items bought for resale. If you go over $5,000, you must apply for a temporary seller’s permit and start collecting tax within 30 days, then get a regular permit the next year. If a buyer asks, show tax‑exempt status on the invoice. Keep records for four years if your annual sales exceed $3,000, and do not keep a permanent office or stock to work around the limit.
Beauty industry definitions and device limits
The law clarifies services like makeup artistry, nail work, and natural hair braiding, and who counts as a student or retail cosmetics dealer. It also updates barbering and cosmetology terms and allows use of class I medical devices and some class II skin‑care devices only under a licensed health care practitioner’s direction and supervision. Licensed schools must admit only applicants who meet stated entry requirements.
Tougher rules for specialty plate sponsors
To start a new special plate, sponsors must meet prequalification by September 1 before the next session. This includes a $1,000 nonrefundable admin fee, paying estimated programming and admin costs, providing a design, and listing 250 likely buyers. Sponsors must submit a financial plan and name a responsible person. Annual sponsor reports are due December 1; the department must forward compiled reports by January 15 or plate sales stop on January 1. Some state, university, firearms safety, and military plates are excluded. Denied applicants can appeal in writing within 20 days. The DMV must write rules and send qualifying applications to legislative committee chairs.
One section ends July 1, 2027
Section 27 of this act has no force after July 1, 2027. Any rights or duties in that section end on that date.
Virtual re-inspections allowed, with limits
Agencies may use live video tools to do re‑inspections and must verify the site address or identifying features. Structural inspections for buildings three stories or taller cannot be done virtually and must be in person.
Gold and silver now legal tender
Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho recognizes domestically minted gold and silver coin and specie as legal tender to the extent allowed by the U.S. Constitution. The state may choose to use them in its business. No one is forced to accept gold or silver unless both parties agree or a law or contract requires it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Heather Scott
Republican • House
Ben Toews
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/26/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 3/17/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 67 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 31, 2026 Session Law Chapter 251 Effective: 07/01/2026; 07/01/2027 Sunset Clause - SECTION 37
4/1/2026Delivered to Governor at 12:31 p.m. on March 30, 2026
3/30/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/30/2026SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/30/2026SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/30/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/27/2026HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/26/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1
3/26/2026SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/24/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/23/2026SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
3/18/2026SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/18/2026SenateRules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 67-0-3
3/17/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/17/2026HouseReported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
3/16/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
3/13/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Related Bills
S 1362, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2027.
S 1444, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DIVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORT – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1336, EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding civics education.
S 1454, APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH SAFETY AND PERMANENCY, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
S 1438, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY DIVISION – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy for fiscal year 2027.
S 1446, APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare and the Judicial Branch for fiscal year 2027.