The Idaho 2026 legislative session adjourned on April 2. During this 3-month legislative session, Idaho introduced 771 pieces of legislation. By the time of adjournment, Governor Brad Little signed 215 pieces of legislation into law.
Health Care:
As the 2026 legislative session comes to an end, healthcare access and funding have been a huge topic across the states. States have been specifically looking at ways to improve access to healthcare in rural areas and for Medicaid recipients. Idaho took an innovative approach by enacting HB 788, which applies gold carding, a private insurance practice that allows eligible providers to be exempt from prior authorization upon meeting specified criteria, to the Medicaid program. This measure aligns with a new trend seen across the states this year, which applies private insurance practices to the Medicaid program, such as provider enrollment and credentialing legislation. However, HB 788 is even more unique as it is the only piece of legislation applying gold carding to Medicaid. Once this new law takes effect on July 1, 2026, it will apply to Medicaid providers in qualified rural or underserved areas, which intends to reduce the administrative burden for these providers and allow for more access to healthcare in these areas.
Artificial Intelligence:
Idaho has also taken steps in the national conversation regarding artificial intelligence and social media regulation. This includes SB 1297, which addresses AI chatbots and puts protocols in place to respond to suicidal ideation, provide resources, block adult content to minors, and provide warnings to users while using these chatbots. This bill also prohibits operators from imposing a reward system for prolonged interactions. This aligns with Governor Brad Little’s plans to protect minors in the state, specifically on online platforms. He also signed HB 542, which requires social media platforms to estimate a user’s age, obtain parental consent for users under 16 years old, and create “child account” protocols. This legislation moves to further protect children on the internet and gives parents more power to monitor and control their child’s experience on social media. This regulation comes at a time when many parents worry about the effects of social media and access to artificial intelligence for their children.
Idaho has shown its support to address this issue alongside many other states, with 175 pieces of chatbot legislation and 380 pieces of social media legislation being introduced in the states this year. Idaho joins Georgia, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington as the only states this year to enact their chatbot legislation, and with Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia enacting legislation regulating social media.
Budget:
As a result of beginning the year with a $40 million deficit, Idaho was required to make various cuts to balance the budget. On March 16, Governor Brad Little signed into law, SB 1331, which reduced funding for most state agencies by 4%. This was followed by several debates over how much more funding should be cut. In the end, the Legislature passed a smaller budget than last year, with highlights including:
- $2,100,000 to public health districts for prevention and cessation programs for tobacco, vape, and other substances as funds allow.
- $5,000,000 for intensive professional development and coaching support that leverage literacy experts who are approved by the State Department of Education and trained in the science of reading in conformance with Section 33-1807(7), Idaho Code.
- $25,810,000 for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy.
- $1,163,296,100 to the Department of Health and Welfare to cover various Medicaid plans.
- $5,808,000 from the State-Directed Opioid Settlement Fund for assertive community treatment and peer support services participants who face substance abuse disorders or mental health conditions (SUD/MH) without co-occurring OUD as those terms are used in Exhibit E, Schedule B of the settlement agreements.
Governor Brad Little released the following statement regarding the passage of budget bills:
“For months, the Idaho Legislature and I worked closely to balance the budget and right-size spending in line with taxpayers’ means. We stayed focused on what matters most to Idaho’s future — protecting public schools and investments in water and transportation, supporting public safety, and continuing implementation of President Trump’s Talent Strategy through LAUNCH. Some of the budget decisions were not easy, but I am pleased the Legislature stuck to my ENDURING IDAHO plan — a forward-looking, responsible budget that keeps our state on a strong trajectory. Idaho’s economy remains the strongest in the nation, and our actions this session position us to continue that record of success. I appreciate my legislative partners for their hard work and commitment to the people of Idaho.”
Looking Ahead:
Governor Brad Little is finishing the last year of his term, and a gubernatorial election will be held in the state in November. Little stated that he plans to run again for another term as Governor. The state also has 498 other positions up for election in 2026, ranging from its U.S Senator to state Judge openings in various districts. This includes all seats in the House and all seats in the Senate.