January 6, 2026
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Idaho Legislative Session
January 12, 2026
By: ID Senator Tammy Nichols
As we head into the 2026 Idaho legislative session, much of what will be discussed at the Capitol has already been shaped by off season work, task force meetings, and conversations with Idahoans across the state.
What I hear consistently is this: people want a government that stays within its limits, respects personal freedom, and uses taxpayer dollars wisely.
Recent coverage from Idaho Press reflects many of the same issues lawmakers have been preparing for. This session, spending, immigration, taxes, accountability, child custody reform, emerging technology, and the state budget are expected to be among the major topics. While these issues may seem different, they all come back to the same principles, responsibility, transparency, and following the Constitution.
How to Watch or Follow the Idaho Legislative Session
Idaho’s legislative session begins each January, and there are several easy ways to follow along from home.
The session officially opens with the State of the State address by the governor on January 12th. This address can be watched live on television or online, and it outlines the governor’s priorities for the year ahead.
Throughout the session, floor debates, committee hearings, and votes are streamed live through the Idaho Legislature website. The site also allows you to:
- Watch live or recorded committee meetings
- Track bills as they move through the process
- Read bill text, statements of purpose, and fiscal notes
- See how legislators vote
Major hearings and floor sessions are also often covered by local news outlets and shared on social media.
Following the session doesn’t require being an expert, just a willingness to stay informed. Even watching a few hearings or tracking a handful of bills can give you a better understanding of how decisions are made and how they affect your community.
If there are specific issues you care about, the session is the best time to stay engaged and make your voice heard.
Idaho GOP Winter Meeting This Weekend
Ahead of the session, the Idaho Republican Party is holding its annual Winter Meeting this weekend. Delegates and party leaders from across the state gather to review and debate party rules and resolutions.
Resolutions help outline the priorities and values of Idaho Republicans and provide general guidance to the party and Republican legislators as the session begins. While resolutions are not laws, they reflect what grassroots Republicans across Idaho are asking their elected officials to focus on.
Both the Winter Meeting and the legislative session are important parts of how policy direction is shaped in Idaho. Staying informed, even at a basic level, helps ensure the process remains transparent and accountable.
The Budget Comes First
Idaho is required by its Constitution to balance its budget. That means the state cannot spend more than it brings in. Just like families, government has to live within its means.
With revenue growth slowing, the state will have to tighten its belt this session. That means focusing less on growing government and more on deciding what truly matters. Idaho’s general fund budget is about $5.6 billion, supporting core services like public safety, infrastructure, and limited social programs.
Most families understand this reality. When money is tight, you cut back, delay extras, and focus on necessities. Government should do the same review spending, avoid waste, and make sure taxpayer dollars are used where they matter most.
Being fiscally conservative doesn’t mean ignoring real needs. It means spending carefully today so we don’t create bigger problems tomorrow.
Why the Legislation Matters
Much of the legislation I’m working on comes directly from concerns Idahoans have raised.
Some of it focuses on child custody and family court, where parents have shared how confusing, expensive, and inconsistent the system can be. The goal is clearer rules, more fairness, and better transparency.
Other efforts involve artificial intelligence (AI), where Idaho needs to protect personal identity, likeness, and privacy to try to stay ahead of what is to come.
I’m also working on veteran protections, focusing on transparency and accountability, and making sure they are able to access their benefits without being taken advantage of.
In adoption, the focus is on protecting birth parents, ensuring informed consent, and keeping the child’s best interests front and center.
Some bills are practical and local, like clarifying rules around raising chickens so families can be more self-sufficient without unnecessary government involvement.
Other legislation protects constitutional rights, including the educating our youth on the right to keep and bear arms and understanding firearms safety.
While these topics may seem wide ranging, they all share the same foundation: limited government, personal responsibility, parental rights, property rights, and transparency.
Moving Into the Session
The 2026 session will include tough decisions and strong debate, especially in a tight budget year. That’s how the process is supposed to work.
My focus remains the same: follow the Constitution, respect taxpayers, protect individual freedom, and support Idaho families.
If you have thoughts on these issues or ideas you want lawmakers to hear, I encourage you to stay engaged and reach out. Your input matters, and it helps shape the work ahead.
In Liberty,
Senator Tammy Nichols
District 10
