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Senate passes bill to expand Idaho ABLE accounts, lower costs and widen eligibility
Summary
House Bill 26 would authorize the state treasurer to contract with a national ABLE consortium, lower fees, raise the qualifying disability-onset age to 46, and create an advisory council; sponsors said the changes improve access and reduce costs for Idahoans with disabilities.
Boise — The Idaho Senate on March 5 passed House Bill 26 to amend the state’s ABLE-account program. Sponsors and proponents said the bill will reduce administrative fees, expand eligibility, and improve outreach to Idahoans with disabilities.
Key features: The bill allows the Idaho State Treasurer to join a national ABLE-account consortium, lowering administrative fees and reducing basis points charged participants. It raises the age-of-onset threshold for disability eligibility from age 26 to age 46, expanding access to more disabled veterans and others who developed qualifying disabilities later in life. The bill also establishes an Idaho ABLE advisory council and requires financial-literacy outreach by the State Treasurer and the Idaho State Independent Living Council.
Sponsor remarks and rationale: Senator Bjerke (floor sponsor) described ABLE accounts as tax-advantaged savings vehicles that let people with disabilities keep money to cover emergency needs (for example, vehicle repairs tied to accessibility) without losing eligibility for means-tested benefits. She said the bill was designed to be cost-neutral for the state and to lower fees for participants.
Vote and implementation: The Senate passed the bill 27–6 with 2 absent, according to the roll call reported on the floor. Implementation will require the State Treasurer to contract with the selected consortium and to stand up the advisory council and outreach efforts. Sponsors described the package as improving independence for Idahoans with disabilities while lowering participants’ costs.
