Idaho House passes flag-display restriction and several other bills; parole commissioners pay bill fails

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho House of Representatives on Feb. 18, 2025 approved a package of bills spanning government flag displays, volunteer recreation liability, livestock depredation payments, flood-control district governance and school safety housekeeping, while rejecting a proposal to raise pay for Pardons and Parole commissioners.

House members approved House Bill 96, a bill restricting which flags government entities may display on official flagpoles, after extended debate about local control and whether the measure would bar nonpolitical community flags. Representative (District 2), the bill’s sponsor, said the bill aims to “get back to the basics” by limiting official displays to the U.S. flag, certain military flags, POW flags, tribal flags and an entity’s own official flag. Opponents warned the language could prevent cities from flying university, sister‑city or other noncontroversial flags on government property.

The House also approved House Bill 81, which creates limited liability protection for unpaid volunteer recreation clubs such as running groups and amateur leagues, and House Bill 82, which adjusts terms and payment tiers related to livestock depredation losses and aligns terminology with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services definitions (adding a new “possible” payment tier in addition to “probable” and “confirmed”). Representative (District 31), sponsor of HB 82, said the changes follow experience with last year’s statutory framework and noted losses reported in several counties including Fremont, Valley, Adams, Boise, Clark, Camas, Elmore and Washington.

Lawmakers…