IdahoIdaho directs liquor account money to state and local services
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho directs liquor account money to state programs, law enforcement, local governments, and district court services.
What it does
After paying the liquor division's authorized costs, the law sends set amounts to treatment, community college, school, court, welfare, and law enforcement funds. Any remaining balance in this share goes to the general fund after a share for police training.
The law sends liquor account money to law enforcement, counties, cities, and district court services. County and city amounts follow set formulas, including past minimum payments and separate rules for cities with and without liquor stores.
Argument forDedicated shares could help pay for law enforcement, local courts, schools, and treatment programs using liquor account revenue.
Argument againstCities and counties could receive less if the allocation formulas direct more liquor account money to state funds or court services.
More detail
The law directs portions of the liquor account balance to named state and local funds. These allocations apply to money received in Idaho's liquor account. The liquor division's actual purchase and operating costs are transferred first, and operating costs cannot exceed the amount authorized for spending. Transfers must be made at least quarterly.
The law divides another share among law enforcement, counties, cities, and district court services. The distributions go to Idaho counties and cities, and to state law enforcement and district court funds. County and city shares follow formulas based on liquor sales in the previous state fiscal year, with minimums tied to what each received in fiscal year 1981. Cities without a liquor store or distribution station share part of the city amount based on population. District court funds support magistrate court facilities, staff, and expenses. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Transfers and distributions must be made at least quarterly.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 324 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 12:51 p.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
- Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 2Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 2Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 1Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) – Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Apr 1Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full – PASSED - 26-9-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Keyser, Lakey, Lent, Okuniewicz, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Blaylock, Hart, Kohl, Lenney, Nichols, Rabe, Ricks, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - LakeyTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 1Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 30Introduced, read first time; referred to: Local Government & TaxationMinor
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 2, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 30Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 2, read in full as required – PASSED - 50-18-2AYES – Barbieri, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Cannon(Cannon), Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Handy, Haws, Healey, Hill(Brown), Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, Mendive, Mickelsen, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Shepherd, Shirts(Batt), Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Beiswenger, Burgoyne, Cayler, Cheatum, Garner, Hall(Stone), Harris, Hawkins, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Miller, Price, Rasor, Scott, Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – Green, McCannFloor Sponsor - EhlersTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 30Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 27Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 27Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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