Committee advances bill saying Idaho will not use state resources to enforce World Health Organization mandates

Senator Dan Foreman (District 6) presented Senate Bill 1038 to the House State Affairs Committee, describing a proposed addition to Idaho law that would declare the state and its political subdivisions shall not be compelled to use state assets to enforce mandates or requirements issued by the World Health Organization.

Foreman said the Idaho attorney general reviewed the language and advised the proposal is constitutionally correct and would not conflict with the Supremacy Clause because it does not claim Idaho is not subject to federal agreements with the WHO; rather, it codifies that the state will not use its own resources to enforce any such international mandates. "This legislation will have no appreciable impact on the general fund," Foreman said.

Foreman reviewed criticisms of the WHO's COVID-19 response and said the proposed code addition mirrors similar steps taken by other states and by Idaho's attorney general in a 2024 letter opposing WHO changes to international health regulations. He asked the committee for a due-pass recommendation to send SB 1038 to the House floor. Representative Mickelson moved to advance the bill with a due-pass recommendation; the committee voted in favor and the motion carried.

During questioning, Representative Akiles asked whether Idaho is currently compelled to adopt any WHO mandates; Foreman said the bill simply codifies that state resources will not be used to enforce WHO mandates and that enforcement actions would be federal, not state-level, matters.

The committee recorded a due-pass recommendation and forwarded SB 1038 to the House floor for further consideration.