IdahoS 12752026 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET

PERSI – Amends and repeals existing law to remove obsolete language.

Sponsored By: COMMERCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

PERSI

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger privacy for retirement records

Retirement system records are confidential. The law allows narrow releases for court orders, for employers and the board to do their jobs, and for member-approved designees. A spouse, children, or an estate administrator can learn a deceased member’s beneficiary. In divorce orders, balances and histories can be shared, but not addresses or phone numbers. Unlawful disclosure is a felony with $100–$5,000 in fines, up to 5 years in jail, loss of office or job, and a 2‑year ban from office.

Firefighter pension funding and cost-sharing

Half of the state’s fire insurance premium tax goes to the public employee retirement account. The retirement board studies costs and can set extra employer contributions when benefits cost more than required contributions. The state match uses those tax receipts; if receipts are fully used, employers pay the rest. Employers have an additional rate that was 10% of a pay period salary starting October 1, 1980 until the board changes it. The board can spread excess costs over up to 50 years. Updated definitions clarify who is covered, including firefighter members with rights set before October 1, 1980.

Community college name standardized

The law uses “community college” instead of “junior college” in listed education statutes. It also repeals an outdated related section. This is a wording cleanup and does not change who can enroll or get aid. Changes apply July 1, 2026.

Changes take effect July 1, 2026

The act takes effect July 1, 2026. Use that date for the start of the repeals, funding rules, and privacy changes.

Obsolete local pension rules repealed

The law removes old city‑to‑state pension merger and firefighter retirement transfer rules. It deletes past election steps, asset and liability transfer directions, employer contribution adjustments, and limits on separation benefits tied to those mergers. Current statewide retirement rules apply without these merger‑era sections. The repeals take effect July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

COMMERCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Jeff Ehlers
Republican • House
Todd M. Lakey
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 103 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 68 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026