The Second Regular Session of the 68th Idaho State Legislature officially began on Monday, January 12, 2026, and concluded on Thursday April 2, 2026, six days after their target date for Sine Die.
This year’s legislative priority and battles were focused on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) and the budget due to state revenue numbers coming in lower than anticipated.
The 2026 Idaho State Legislature saw a record amount of bills introduced. In total, there were 724 bills introduced this session, along with 93 resolutions, memorials, and proclamations, for a combined total of 817 pieces of legislation introduced this year.
Of the 349 bills passed by both bodies, 343 were signed by the Governor, and six vetoes were issued. Of the resolutions and memorials introduced in both chambers, 66 were adopted.
In total, there were 1,033 pieces of legislation prepared and an additional 274 changes, amendments, and engrossments, for a combined total of 1,307 pieces of legislation prepared during the 2026 Legislative Session.
The Idaho Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) experienced a relatively targeted 2026 legislative session, with activity centered on workforce development, professional regulation, and oversight of licensed occupations.
Senate Bill 1335
The biggest bill of importance for the IVMA was Senate Bill 1335, which established a service requirement for recipients of state-funded veterinary education support.
The proposal’s goal is to address the shortage of large animal veterinarians in Idaho by requiring veterinary graduates to return to work in Idaho. The bill mirrored Idaho’s WWAMI (human medical) program by stipulating that for a period of four years, grads would be required to dedicate 30 percent (or 600 hours) of their annual working time to mixed agricultural animals (excluding equine) for four years. If the graduates do not fulfil this new obligation, the state will require them to pay back the state subsidy.
SB 1335 was championed by the Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Cattle Association. As it became clear that the two groups planned to drive the bill through the legislative process, the IVMA Board and lobbyists met with their leadership and lobbyists to discuss concerns and request modifications be made to the bill language to make it more palatable for vet students.
While the IFB and ICA did incorporate some of the IVMA’s feedback, ultimately, the Association felt the bill was overly restrictive and punitive. However, all groups agreed to making future adjustments to areas where consensus could not be reached during the session. The bill passed the Senate on a 33–2 vote, the House on a 54–16 vote and was signed into law by Governor Little on March 30, 2026.
The IVMA’s new Legislative Advocacy Committee will be working in the legislative interim to develop a set of amendments to the new law to refocus the intent of the program to be an incentive, rather than a disincentive, to Idaho veterinary students to return to Idaho and practice in large animal medicine.
Secondly, House Bill 703 revised provisions governing the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), amending, repealing, and adding to existing law to update statutory language, consolidate regulatory authority, and refine licensing oversight across a range of professions.
The bill moved efficiently through the legislative process, passing the House 68–0–2 and advancing to the Senate, where it was amended and ultimately passed 32–1–2. The House subsequently concurred in the Senate amendments and approved the engrossed bill 67–0–3. Governor Little signed HB 703 into law on March 27.
Other pieces of legislation impacting the veterinary practice and animal use were successfully enacted.
House Bill 920 provided FY 2027 budget enhancements for Health Education Programs, including funding for medical residencies and continued support for the WIMU Veterinary Education Program. The bill passed the House 47–22–1 and Senate 22–11–2 and was delivered to the Governor on March 26.
Senate Bill 1241 clarified and protected the lawful use of working animals in commerce and service. The bill was amended after concerns that the bill’s provisions were overly broad. The amended bill passed the Senate 31–3–1 and the House 67–0–3 and was signed into law on March 23.
Overall, the 2026 session reflected a continued legislative interest in strengthening Idaho’s veterinary workforce, protecting agricultural practices, and improving program accountability.
Throughout the session, the IVMA actively engaged with legislators, agency leaders, and stakeholder organizations to ensure the Association’s priorities were represented. Looking ahead, the IVMA and the new Legislative Advocacy Committee will focus on key areas including veterinary workforce shortages and future regulatory or funding proposals impacting animal health and agricultural operations.