IdahoGOP

C. Scott Grow

This bill prohibits local governments across the state from imposing any ordinances which restrict the ability of consumers to access the energy source of their choice, including electric, natural gas, propane, and other sources. As a result, the bill would preempt local bans on natural gas hook-up and all-electric building codes. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article VII (Energy) Section 6 "We oppose any mandated deregulation that would negatively impact rate payers". 

Protecting Consumer Choice by Prohibiting Local Governments from Imposing All-Electric Building Codes and Anti-Natural Gas Ordinances.

This bill creates a new "state directed payment" program under the state's Medicaid welfare program which was expanded under Obamacare. The bill ultimately results in higher payments to hospitals and healthcare providers by gaming the federal Medicaid system. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIII (Health and Welfare) Section 2 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act "We support the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act in its entirety".

Growing Medicaid Spending Under Obamacare Through a New "State Directed Payment" Scheme to Hospitals which Games the System to Extract Additional Federal Funds.

Under current law, employers are protected from civil liability when allowing or not prohibiting the lawful storage of firearms by employees in their personal motor vehicles on the employer's business premises. This bill would expand those protections to include employers who allow or don't prohibit the lawful carrying of a firearm on an employee's person. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XVI (Law and Order with Justice) Section 1 Gun Rights "We commend efforts of organizations to preserve and foster the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, including Right-to-Carry laws."

Strengthening Second Amendment Rights by Providing Immunity to Employers Who Allow Employee Concealed Carry.

This bill requires public schools and libraries to establish a process whereby books with obscene materials are moved to an adult only section. Specifically, this bill requires libraries to have a form available that anyone may use to request that a material be moved to an adults-only section if they think it includes sexual content that is "harmful to minors." Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article III (Education) Section 8 "We are strongly opposed to any social justice indoctrination that may occur at any level of Idaho’s education system and support policy and financial measures to prohibit universities, colleges or public schools from incorporating social justice indoctrination theories (i.e. critical race theory, transformative social emotional learning, diversity, equity and inclusion, replacement theory, queer theory, etc.) into their policies, curriculum and/or course materials."

Protecting Children from Obscene and Pornographic Material by Requiring Libraries to Move Material "Harmful to Minors" to an Adult-Only Section.

This bill appropriates over $27.2 million for various Health Education Programs. For example, the bill appropriates $7.2 million to the University of Washington School of Medicine's WWAMI program. The University of Washington, known as the "nation's largest fetal tissue bank," offers clinical clerkships with Planned Parenthood and was recently sued for conducting a fetal tissue trafficking operation with the organization. Additionally, the University provides numerous courses surrounding critical race theory, LGBTQ health disparities, and transgender healthcare clinical rotations. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 3: Right to Life "We oppose the expenditure of any Idaho taxpayer funds by any unit of government, including federal, state, county, and municipal government, to any provider of abortion and strongly support legislation to enact the same". 

Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Aborted Fetus Trafficking and LGBTQ and Transgender Medical Training through a $27 Million Appropriation for Health Education Programs.

This bill asserts that parents are the "primary stakeholders" in education and establishes a framework which provides parents certain rights. Under the bill, parental consent is required for a student to take any noncurricular-related student survey, well-being questionnaire, or health screenings. Additionally, public schools are forbidden from enacting any policies which prohibit school personnel from notifying parents of a student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, among other protections. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article III (Education) Section 10 "The right to determine their child’s health, safety, and medical treatment including masks and vaccinations, and the right to visit their child’s classroom with limited restrictions. These rights should be enumerated in Idaho Code".

Strengthening the Integrity of the Public Education System by Asserting Parents are the "Primary Stakeholders" in Education and Providing Parents a Series of Rights.

This bill appropriates $124.1 million to the Department of Commerce for broadband infrastructure, using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund. This is a supplemental appropriation which is on top of over $100 million in funding for broadband infrastructure expected to be provided in S 1159. This bill is expected to provide significant additional revenue to companies that provide these services such as Comcast. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 2 Fiscal Responsibility - B "We believe that tax reductions can be achieved by cutting spending on every level: federal, state, and local. We believe that lower taxes will result in increased revenue to the government as the private sector will thrive". 

Fueling Wasteful and Unnecessary Spending by Providing an Additional $124.1 Million to the Department of Commerce for Broadband Infrastructure Grants.

This bill appropriates over $2.2 million and establishes 10 full-time positions to the Commission on the Arts for 2025. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as providing funding for the arts is not a core nor necessary function of the government, rather a role of the private sector through foundations and philanthropy. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Ballooning Spending for Unnecessary Initiatives within the Commission on the Arts.

This bill creates the crime of "abortion trafficking," which makes it illegal to obtain an abortion for a minor with the intent to conceal the abortion from the minor's parents "by recruiting, harboring, or transporting" the minor. The bill also allows the state attorney general to prosecute violations if the local prosecutor refuses to enforce the law. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 3: Right to Live - A "We affirm that abortion is murder from the moment of fertilization. All children should be protected regardless of the circumstances of conception, including persons conceived in rape and incest". 

Protecting Life by Criminalizing "Abortion Trafficking" or Obtaining an Abortion for a Minor Which is Concealed from their Parents.

This bill requires all highway-user fee revenue and highway and bridge ad valorum taxes be used on projects such as construction and maintenance of bridges and highways "that benefit primarily motor vehicles." This prevents the use of these funds for other purposes, such as building sidewalks and bike lanes. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 5 - State Legislature "We support the current move to zero-based budgeting or other appropriate budgeting techniques. We believe growth can be attained in a sound, responsible manner by holding taxes down, granting business incentives, and refusing to grant excessive demands for increased spending". 

Protecting Taxpayers from Wasteful and Unnecessary Infrastructure Spending by Restricting the Use of Highway and Bridge Revenue.

This bill allows mental and behavioral health providers who are licensed in other states to provide services in Idaho through "telehealth" (utilizing the internet or video call to provide diagnoses and prescribe medication). Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIII (Health and Welfare) "Regulations that forbid Idahoans from buying insurance across state lines should be eliminated". 

Expanding Competition and Availability of Mental Health Services by Allowing Providers in Other States to Provide Services Through Telehealth.

This bill places all administrative rules on a staggered, eight-year review cycle for reauthorization as well as requires legislative approval of all new rules via concurrent resolution. Additionally, the bill requires agencies to accept testimony on proposed rules via video or telephone (currently only oral or written). Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XII (Economy) Section 2 Support for Small Business "We support a business environment that promotes development and expansion of businesses in Idaho and eliminates all onerous repressive government regulation". 

Combatting Regulatory Overreach by Requiring All Administrative Rules to Undergo Review and Reauthorization Every 8 Years.

This bill prohibits public institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) from asking prospective job or student applicants to provide a diversity statement. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article III (Education) Section 8 "We are strongly opposed to any social justice indoctrination that may occur at any level of Idaho’s education system and support policy and financial measures to prohibit universities, colleges or public schools from incorporating social justice indoctrination theories (i.e. critical race theory, transformative social emotional learning, diversity, equity and inclusion, replacement theory, queer theory, etc.) into their policies, curriculum and/or course materials."

Protecting Students and Staff at Public Colleges and Universities from being Forced to Provide Diversity Statements in the Application Process or as a Condition of Employment.

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Welfare from seeking or implementing new Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) state plan amendments or waivers that would expand coverage or increase any cost to the state without explicit legislative authority. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIII (Health and Welfare) Section 2 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act "We support the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act in its entirety".

Protecting Taxpayers from Ballooning Medicaid Welfare Spending by Requiring Legislative Approval for Expansion.

This bill appropriates over $2.3 million to the Commission on the Arts. The appropriation is for 10 full time employees as well as grant issuance to "the arts to all Idahoans." Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated". 

This bill appropriates over $2.9 million in taxpayer funds to Idaho Public Television (IPTV), an entity which has 14 full-time employees. IPTV has an extensive programming schedule with multiple channels. For example, on its Politically Speaking program guests utilize critical race theory to examine communities and education, while its PBS kids diversity programs "help children explore their emotions about news topics such as the pandemic, social unrest, and same-sex relationships." Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Funding Critical Race Theory and LGBTQ Programing for Children through a $2.9 Million Appropriation to Idaho Public Television.

This bill strengthens school choice by ensuring all school districts maintain an open enrollment policy which allows students to transfer both in-district and out-of-district. The bill also ensures that schools cannot discriminate against applicants based on their residential location or socioeconomic status. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article III (Education) Section 3 "We believe in improving the quality of education for every child by maximizing parental choice. This will be accomplished through money following students to their parent’s school of choice". 

Expanding School Choice by Ensuring School Districts Maintain Open Enrollment Policies Including In-District Student Transfers.

This bill makes it easier for counties to satisfy notice requirements to destroy noxious weeds, on private property, "including necessary destruction of crops," at the expense of the landowner. Currently, a property owner has five working days from the time of receipt of a notice to begin addressing weeds. This bill provides that when the property owner is "not known or readily available," service is considered satisfied eight days after the notice is postmarked or certified registered receipt at the address. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article IX (Property Rights) Paragraph 1 "The Republican Party believes in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution: "No person shall be ... deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law". 

Weakening Property Rights by Providing Government Officials Overreaching Powers to Trespass onto Private Property and Destroy Crops in Order to Control "Noxious Weeds".

This bill provides 11 full-time positions and appropriates over $12.6 million to the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources for 2025, a budget increase from 2022 nearly four and a half times higher than what would be recommended by inflationary pressures and growth. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - A "The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that all government is financed by taxing its citizens. We believe the size and cost of government, as well as the national debt, must be reduced".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $12.6 Million Appropriation (Quadrupled since 2022) to the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.

This bill appropriates over $36 million and 267.20 full-time positions to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for 2025, funding a number of runaway expenditures. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending and Regulatory Overreach Through an Over $36 Million Appropriation to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

This bill appropriates over $30 million and 257.25 full-time positions to the Liquor Division, the budget 64% higher from 2022 than what is needed for inflationary growth. The bill adds three new full-time positions, which includes a new program systems specialist. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 2 Fiscal Responsibility - B "We believe that tax reductions can be achieved by cutting spending on every level: federal, state, and local. We believe that lower taxes will result in increased revenue to the government as the private sector will thrive".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $30 Million Appropriation (64% Higher than 2022) to the Liquor Division.

This bill appropriates $500,000 to the Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Fund. This program provides taxpayer-funded loan repayment to nurses working in regions with populations below 20,000. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 2 Taxation - C "We believe Idaho’s tax structure should be predictable, fair, and balanced; and that the combination of our income, sales, and property taxes will continue to provide a stable, dependable source of income for governmental needs".

Growing Government Central Planning by Forcing Taxpayers to Pay Off the Student Loan Debt of Nurses in Rural Areas.

This bill prohibits abortion providers from supplying any materials or instruction relating to sex education curricula in public schools. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 3: Right to Live - A "We affirm that abortion is murder from the moment of fertilization. All children should be protected regardless of the circumstances of conception, including persons conceived in rape and incest".

Protecting Students from Abortion Indoctrination by Preventing Abortion Providers from Supplying Sensitive Instructional Materials in Schools.

This bill establishes a new health insurance mandate which requires most healthcare policies offered in the state that cover prescription contraceptive drugs to cover a 6-month supply of the drugs. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIII (Health and Welfare) Section 1 Private Enterprise Health Care Delivery System "We support a private enterprise health care delivery system that provides cost-effective, quality health care with minimal government regulation."

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Health Insurance Companies Cover a 6-Month Supply of Contraceptive Drugs.

This bill allows professional counselors and marriage and family therapists to opt-out of "counseling in support of goals, outcomes, or behaviors" due to "sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical principles." Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIX (Religious Liberty) "The Idaho Republican Party believes religious freedom is a fundamental human right and essential for any society or community to flourish, we oppose any efforts, state or federal, legislative, executive, or judicial, to limit the “free exercise of religion” by its citizens at home, their place of employment, or venues otherwise publicly available.  

Protecting the Religious Liberties of Counselors and Therapists by Ensuring They Are Not Forced to Violate their Sincerely Held Principles.

This bill establishes Freedom in Education Savings Accounts for parents and students to use to pay for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, and textbooks at a public or private school. All students eligible to enroll in public kindergarten or K-12 schools would be eligible. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article III (Education) Section 3 "We believe in improving the quality of education for every child by maximizing parental choice. This will be accomplished through money following students to their parent’s school of choice. We support all educational environments desired by parents including public charter schools".

Improving Educational Outcomes by Expanding School Choice Through "Freedom in Education Savings Accounts".

This bill appropriates over $37 million to the University of Idaho Agriculture Research and Extension Services to fund over 340 full time positions. The appropriation covers much more than just agriculture, but also on other topics related to health and community development and climate change. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - A "The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that all government is financed by taxing its citizens. We believe the size and cost of government, as well as the national debt, must be reduced".

Funding Politicized Research on Climate Change, Community Development and Other Wasteful Initiatives by Appropriating $37 Million to the University of Idaho Agricultural Research Program.

This bill appropriates over $149 million for the Department of Health and Welfare, behavioral health services, representing a 21% increase over the past three years. Part of the funding ($3 million) may be used for implementation of "Adverse Childhood Events" training to teach parents how to parent their children, which has been used as a vehicle for Critical Race Theory (CRT). Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 2 Fiscal Responsibility - B "We believe that tax reductions can be achieved by cutting spending on every level: federal, state, and local. We believe that lower taxes will result in increased revenue to the government as the private sector will thrive". 

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending through a $149 Million Appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare Behavioral Health Services - a 21% Hike over the Past 3 Years.

This bill prohibits the use of taxpayer funds to pay for any surgical operation or medical intervention that seeks "to affirm the individual's perception of the individual's sex in a way that is inconsistent with the individual's biological sex." Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 4: Children "We believe biological gender to be an essential characteris c of a child’s identity and purpose. We call upon parents, responsible citizens, and officers of government to promote measures that respect and protect the biological gender of children. We strongly oppose any person, entity, or policy that attempts to confuse minors regarding their biological gender".

Protecting Taxpayers from Being Forced to Fund Surgeries and Prescriptions for Gender Dysphoria.

This bill prohibits children under 18 years of age from receiving sex-reassignment procedures or puberty blockers until they reach the age of consent. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 4: Children "We strongly oppose any person, entity, or policy that attempts to confuse minors regarding their biological gender".

Protecting Children Under 18 from Sex-Reassignment Surgeries and Prescriptions with Irreversible Implications Until they are Old Enough to Consent.

This bill increases the program maintenance budget for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs to an amount 54% higher than what would be appropriate taking inflation into account. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Policies Through the Funding of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

This bill appropriates over $169 million and 385.02 full-time positions to the Department of Environmental Quality for 2024, which represents an increase of nearly double the amount prescribed for inflation and general growth. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 2 Fiscal Responsibility - B "We believe that tax reductions can be achieved by cutting spending on every level: federal, state, and local. We believe that lower taxes will result in increased revenue to the government as the private sector will thrive".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through a $169 Million Appropriation  to the Department of Environmental Quality.

This bill appropriates over $68 million to the Department of Parks and Recreation, which represents a 52% increase within the past 3 years. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated". 

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through a $68 Million Appropriation to the Department of Parks and Recreation - a 52% Increase within the Past 3 Years.

This bill enacts the Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Act, which will provide financing to commercial property owners for certain government-approved improvements such as increased energy efficiency. Under the program localities may issue bonds (debt) to finance the improvements, which are then repaid through an additional assessment on their property. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XII (Economy) Paragraph 1 "A competitive market, free of undue governmental competition, restriction, coercion, or interference, is critical to Idaho’s economic well-being".

Competing With the Private Lending Industry and Placing Taxpayer Funds at Risk through the Establishment of a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Program.

This bill prohibits any investigation under the Child Protective Act that is based on the immunization status of a child. Courts are also prohibited from terminating parental rights based on the immunization status of a child. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article III (Education) Section 10 "The right to determine their child’s health, safety, and medical treatment including masks and vaccinations, and the right to visit their child’s classroom with limited restrictions. These rights should be enumerated in Idaho Code". 

Strengthening Parental Rights by Prohibiting Vaccination Status from Being Considered in Child Protection Cases.

This bill is designed to prevent large data centers from "double dipping" by receiving two separate economic development incentives for the same project. While the bill applies to all data centers, it primarily impacts Meta (Facebook) and its project in the City of Kuna. Due to the fact Meta is already eligible for a sales tax exemption, this bill prevents the company from also receiving property tax exemptions under the urban renewal district designation. As a result, property owners in Kuna will not be forced to subsidize the infrastructure costs of Meta, and instead receive tax relief due to the tax assessment on the Meta facility. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 2 Taxation - C "We believe Idaho’s tax structure should be predictable, fair, and balanced; and that the combination of our income, sales, and property taxes will continue to provide a stable, dependable source of income for governmental needs".

Providing Property Tax Relief to Homeowners by Blocking Crony Subsidies to Meta (Facebook) and Other Woke Corporations.

This bill appropriates over $19 million and 16 full-time positions to the Office of Species Conservation for 2025, growing the budget by over 34% in the last three years and adding one new full-time position. Additionally, the budget includes over $18 million in federal grants, subjecting the agency to additional federal control and regulation. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Expanding the Office of Species Conservation Through a Bloated Budget and Expansion of Government Bureaucracy.

This bill further builds upon legislation passed last year (H 433) which established a "public school health insurance participation fund." This fund helped subsidize the cost of transitioning government school employees onto the state's medical and dental insurance plan (which represented a significant benefit increase for employees at a cost to taxpayers of $1.26 billion over the next decade). This bill (H 203) removes the $4,500 cap per support unit for the transition, resulting in taxpayers subsidizing a greater amount of the expanded benefits for state employees. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We believe the unnecessary growth of government has a negative impact on both the conduct of business and our individual lives". 

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Removing the $4,500 Cap on Subsidies Provided to School Employees Who Transition to the State's Healthcare Plan.

This bill implements a few reforms to tighten work requirements under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). As a result, there are less ways for recipients age 18-59 to avoid compliance with the employment and training requirements in order to receive benefits under the welfare program. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIII (Health and Welfare) Section 4 - C "We believe health and welfare programs should be administered with a minimum of bureaucracy and the goal of helping all recipients return to a selfsustaining and productive life". 

Promoting Self-Sufficiency by Closing Some of the Work Requirement Loopholes Within the SNAP Welfare Program.

This bill imposes a litany of new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) which are largely designed to benefit local pharmacies. For example, PBMs must now use "pass-through pricing" instead of "spread pricing" systems, pass along 100% of any drug manufacture rebate, and limit patient steering among other provisions. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIII (Health and Welfare) Section 1 Private Enterprise Health Care Delivery System "We support a private enterprise health care delivery system that provides cost-effective, quality health care with minimal government regulation."

Growing Government Regulatory Power within the Pharmaceutical Industry by Imposing New Mandates on Pharmacy Benefit Managers to Benefit Local Pharmacies.

This bill appropriates over $500,000 to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, which serves as a "liaison between the community and government entities." Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending through and Unnecessary $500,000 Appropriation to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

This bill imposes new wage regulations on employers who hire prisoners, stipulating the prisoners employed with a private employer must receive the same salary range offered to other employees based on experience, education, and other qualifications. The bill also requires that the employed prisoner be given all benefits offered to other similarly situated employees. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XII (Economy) Section 2 Support for Small Business "We support a business environment that promotes development and expansion of businesses in Idaho and eliminates all onerous repressive government regulation".

Reducing Employment Opportunities for Incarcerated Individuals by Imposing Wage Requirements onto Employers.

This bill makes clarifications to various legal definitions, stipulating that "sex" and "gender" are synonymous with a definition of "an individual's biological sex, either male or female." The bill also creates definitions for boy, father, female, girl, male, and mother. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 4: Children "We believe biological gender to be an essential characteristic of a child’s identity and purpose. We call upon parents, responsible citizens, and officers of government to promote measures that respect and protect the biological gender of children. We strongly oppose any person, entity, or policy that attempts to confuse minors regarding their biological gender".

Providing Greater Legal Clarity by Stipulating "Sex" and "Gender" Are Based on an Individual's Biological Sex.

This bill appropriates over $86 million to the Department of Lands, an increase of nearly $5 million over the previous fiscal year, and a 30% increase over the previous 3 years. The appropriation includes providing the agency an additional 10 full-time employees.  Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - A "The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that all government is financed by taxing its citizens.  We believe the size and cost of government, as well as the national debt, must be reduced".

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending and Growing Government Bureaucracy through an $86 Million Appropriation to the Department of Lands - a 30% Hike Over the Past 3 Years.

This bill allows government contractors who are working on projects solely funded by state or local governments to disregard an executive order issued by President Obama which forbids contractors from segregating their restrooms or changing facilities on the basis of biological sex. Contractors who are working on projects that are federally funded are still required to comply with the order. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 4: Children "We strongly oppose any person, entity, or policy that attempts to confuse minors regarding their biological gender".

Strengthening Privacy by Authorizing Contractors Paid by State or Local Governments to Restrict their Restroom and Changing Facility Usage on the Basis of Biological Sex.

This bill requires public schools with a multi-person restroom or changing facility to designate separate facilities based on biological sex at birth or to provide one-person unisex facilities. Schools are required to provide a reasonable accommodation upon written request, but this does not include allowing access to a restroom or changing facility designated for the opposite sex while in use. Support is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article XIV (American Family) Section 4: Children "We strongly oppose any person, entity, or policy that attempts to confuse minors regarding their biological gender". 

Strengthening Safety and Privacy in the Restrooms of Schools by Requiring Usage to be Based on Biological Sex (Male or Female) at Birth.

This bill appropriates over $29 million to the State Liquor Division, which represents an increase of over $1.8 million from the prior year. The appropriation provides funding for 261 full time employees as well as the relocation and remodeling of two government-run liquor stores. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We believe the unnecessary growth of government has a negative impact on both the conduct of business and our individual lives. We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable". 

Growing Unnecessary Government Bureaucracy and Spending through a $29 Million Appropriation for the State Liquor Division Including Funding to Renovate Government-Run Liquor Stores.

This bill appropriates over $38 million and 341.33 full-time positions to the University of Idaho Agricultural Research and Extension Services for 2025, a program "conducting research on a range of topics related to food systems, health and community development, water resources, plant science, climate change and much more." The bill creates two new full-time faculty positions that specialize in either irrigation or forestry research and a janitorial position. Oppose is the position of the Idaho GOP Platform under Article I (Responsibility in Government) Section 1 Fiscal Responsibility - D "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise or local government where appropriate and workable. Programs which are not cost effective or have outlived their usefulness should be terminated".

Funding Politicized Research on Climate Change, Community Development and Other Wasteful Initiatives by Appropriating $38.4 Million to the University of Idaho Agricultural Research Program.

Year	American Family and Religious Liberties	Econ	Edu	Energy, Environment, and Agriculture	Health and Welfare	Law and Order with Justice	Property Rights	Responsibility in Government
2024	100	0	100	0	57.14	100	100	33.33
2023	83.33	50	85.71	100	50	100	0	20