Joe Palmer

This bill creates a civil cause of action when an abortion has been attempted or performed in violation of Idaho’s fetal heartbeat law. It allows affected parties to sue those who participate in illegal abortions. CPAC believes that abortion is always a human tragedy and supported this bill. The Idaho House of Representatives passed SB 1171 on April 2, 2025, in a 64-3 vote, and Governor Brad Little signed the measure into law.

This bill adds new statutory protections to ensure freedom of inquiry in higher education. It pushes back against ideological censorship by requiring institutions to safeguard open debate and diverse viewpoints. CPAC supports restoring free speech and intellectual diversity on college campuses and supported this bill. The Idaho House of Representatives passed SB 1198 on April 3, 2025, in a 52-17 vote, and Governor Brad Little signed the measure into law.

This bill strengthens and clarifies provisions related to parental rights in education. It reaffirms parents as the primary decision makers in their children’s schooling and access to classroom content. CPAC supports putting parents back in charge of their children’s education and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-03-07 by a vote of 58-11, and the bill later became law.

This bill creates statutory protections for speech on college campuses, limiting the ability of institutions to suppress or punish constitutionally protected expression. It targets speech codes and bias response regimes that chill free expression. CPAC supports robust First Amendment protections for students and faculty and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-03-04 by a vote of 55-15 and the bill later became law.

This bill enacts the Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement Act, directing state and local authorities to cooperate more fully with federal immigration enforcement. It discourages sanctuary-style policies and improves information sharing. CPAC supports state-level cooperation to enforce immigration laws and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-10 by a vote of 61-9, and the bill later became law.

This bill revises the public charter school facilities program to improve how charters access and finance buildings. It gives charter schools better tools to provide safe and adequate learning environments. CPAC supports expanding and strengthening school choice options like charter schools and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-28 by a vote of 68-0, and the bill later became law.

This bill updates the Idaho Safe Haven Act’s provisions for placement of an abandoned child. It clarifies procedures to quickly and safely place abandoned infants into care. CPAC supports life-affirming policies that protect vulnerable newborns and supported this bill. The Idaho House of Representatives passed SB 1058 on March 14, 2025, in a 65-0 vote, and Governor Brad Little signed the measure into law.

This bill revises provisions for the ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ license plates and creates the Idaho Firearms Safety Education Committee. It links pro-Second Amendment messaging with formal support for firearms safety education. CPAC supports celebrating Second Amendment values and promoting responsible firearms education and supported this bill. The Idaho House of Representatives passed SB 1105 on March 12, 2025, in a 62-4 vote, and Governor Brad Little signed the measure into law.

This bill de-licenses thermal stylists by repealing requirements that they hold a state cosmetology license. It reduces government barriers to entry for lower-risk beauty services. CPAC opposes unnecessary occupational licensing that kills jobs and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-17 by a vote of 66-3, and the bill later became law.

This bill eliminates state licensure requirements for makeup artists. It allows individuals to practice makeup artistry without going through costly, irrelevant licensing hoops. CPAC supports cutting anti-competitive licensing schemes and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-26 by a vote of 64-3, and the bill later became law.

This bill requires that all Title IX compliance authority be vested in the president of each public higher education institution. It curbs the reach of unaccountable Title IX bureaucrats by placing responsibility on top leadership. CPAC supports reining in campus Title IX bureaucracies and increasing accountability and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-26 by a vote of 67-0, and the bill later became law.

This bill authorizes issuance of dual master electrician and journeyman electrician licenses. It adds flexibility to the licensing framework for qualified professionals. CPAC supports practical reforms that make it easier for skilled tradesmen to work and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-25 by a vote of 69-0, and the bill later became law.

This bill updates the instruction requirements for courses qualifying for an enhanced concealed weapons license. It clarifies what training satisfies the enhanced carry standard. CPAC supports responsible firearms training that facilitates, rather than hinders, lawful concealed carry and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-20 by a vote of 65-2, and the bill later became law.

This bill creates the Idaho parental choice tax credit and a related advance payment fund to help families pay for education expenses outside the traditional public system. It uses the tax code to expand school choice options for parents. CPAC supports empowering parents with tax-credit-based school choice and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-07 by a vote of 42-28, and the bill later became law.

This bill allows ivermectin to be sold or purchased without a prescription or consultation with a health care professional. It expands consumer freedom and limits gatekeeping by the medical bureaucracy. CPAC supports medical freedom and limiting unnecessary prescription mandates and supported this bill. The Idaho House of Representatives passed SB 1211 on April 3, 2025, in a 66-1 vote, and Governor Brad Little signed the measure into law.

This bill restricts governmental entities to displaying only certain flags, such as the U.S. and state flags, on public property. It prevents agencies and schools from flying ideological banners like pride or political movement flags. CPAC supports keeping government neutral and not co-opted by woke symbolism and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-18 by a vote of 53-17, and the bill later became law.

This bill directs the Department of Health and Welfare to seek a federal waiver to exclude candy and soda from items eligible for SNAP benefits. It ensures taxpayer-funded nutrition assistance is spent on meaningful food, not sugary junk. CPAC supports responsible use of welfare dollars and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-03-03 by a vote of 38-32, and the bill later became law.

This bill authorizes assistance for individuals litigating against the federal government through the Constitutional Defense Council. It provides a mechanism for the state to help citizens challenge unconstitutional federal actions. CPAC supports pushing back on federal overreach and empowering citizens in constitutional litigation and supported this bill. The House passed this bill on 2025-02-21 by a vote of 63-5, and the bill later became law.

This bill proposes an amendment to the state constitution to eliminate government mandates for school attendance and enshrines the right of parents to educate their children without government interference outside of public school systems. CPAC supported this bill because it safeguards parental rights, limits government overreach in education, and promotes school choice and educational freedom. The Idaho House of Representatives rejected HJR 1 on February 19, 2025, in a 46-23 vote, ending the resolution’s prospects of advancing to the Senate.

This bill strengthens student safety by revising criminal background check requirements for school employees and empowers school districts to implement chaplain programs that support traditional values and faith-based guidance. CPAC supported this bill because it prioritizes the protection of students while promoting religious freedom and values in educational environments. The House passed this bill on 2025-03-20 by a vote of 52-18, but the bill did not become law.