Legislation & Leadership
Senator James Ruchti | Idaho District 29
🏛️ Standing Committees
- State Affairs
- Commerce & Human Resources
- Judiciary & Rules
🤝 Boards & Caucuses
- Your Health Idaho Board
- Idaho Broadband Advisory Board
- Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
- Idaho Energy and Technology Caucus
- Sportsman’s Caucus
Sponsored & Co-Sponsored Legislation
HB 760
Stalled in Senate
Medical Education & Workforce Funding
This legislation focuses on securing sustainable funding for medical residency programs in Idaho to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers in rural communities.
HB 562
Became Law
Insurance Policy Transparency Act
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the cancellation and nonrenewal of insurance policies, ensuring policyholders receive adequate notice and justification.
SJM 111
Passed
Retention of Idaho Public Lands
States the findings of the Legislature and formally supports the retention of public lands within Idaho for continued public use and conservation.
| Year | Bill # | Role | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | H 520 | Floor Sponsor | IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT – Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding hearing notices and to revise a provision regarding procedure at a hearing. | Law |
| 2026 | H 562 | co-sponsor | INSURANCE – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding cancellation and nonrenewal of certain policies. | Law |
| 2026 | H 642 | co-sponsor | PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM – Amends and repeals existing law to establish public safety officer catastrophic injury or death in the line of duty benefits. | Law |
| 2026 | H 654 | Floor Sponsor | POLICE DOGS – Amends existing law to define “electronic storage detection dog.” | Law |
| 2026 | H 736 | co-sponsor | ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the form and contents of ballots to be prepared by the Secretary of State. | Law |
| 2026 | HB 618 | co-sponsor | INSURANCE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding transparency requirements for certain insurers. | Failed |
| 2026 | OPE - Assault in Women’s prison study | co-sponsor | We request the Office of Performance Evaluations conduct an evaluation of Idaho's oversight of sexual assault in its women's correctional facilities, with particular attention to the state's processes for preventing, reporting, investigating, and responding to staff sexual misconduct. | — |
| 2026 | OPE - Drivers of incarceration study | co-sponsor | We request the Office of Performance Evaluations conduct an informational study examining the factors driving growth in Idaho's prison population. | — |
| 2026 | SB 1226 | co-sponsor | SAMPLE COLLECTIONS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions and requirements regarding collection of DNA samples and thumbprint impressions. | Law |
| 2026 | SB1240 | Sponsor | UNIFORM GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP, AND OTHER PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS ACT -- Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act. | Law |
| 2026 | SB1399 | Sponsor | UNIFORM REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ON DEATH ACT -- Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act. | Failed |
| 2026 | SJM 111 | co-sponsor | PUBLIC LANDS – States findings of the Legislature and supports retention of public lands in Idaho. | Law |
| 2026 | SR 113 | Sponsor | POLITICAL VIOLENCE -- States findings of the Senate and condemns political violence, honors the lives of those killed or injured, and calls on all Idahoans to reject all forms of such violence. | Law |
| 2026 | Sb 1359 | co-sponsor | VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK FRAUD PREVENTION ACT – Adds to existing law to establish the Virtual Currency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Act. | Failed |
| 2025 | HB 134 | co-sponsor | HEALTH – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding breast cancer screening. | — |
| 2025 | HB 185 | co-sponsor | IDAHO STATE POLICE – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the catastrophic search subaccount in the Search and Rescue Fund. | — |
| 2025 | HB 36 | co-sponsor | IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the issuance of a subpoena in a contested case. | — |
| 2025 | HB 64 | co-sponsor | WORKER’S COMPENSATION – Amends existing law to provide that members of limited liability companies may be liable for a failure to secure compensation. | — |
| 2025 | HB 65 | co-sponsor | WORKER’S COMPENSATION – Amends existing law to move the definition of “member of an employer’s family.” | — |
| 2025 | HB 66 | co-sponsor | WORKER’S COMPENSATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding service of notice of hearings. | — |
| 2025 | HB 67 | co-sponsor | WORKER’S COMPENSATION – Amends existing law to increase maximum allowable burial expenses and to revise provisions regarding transportation expenses. | — |
| 2025 | HB 9 | co-sponsor | WORKER’S COMPENSATION – Amends existing law to move the definition of “member of an employer’s family.” | — |
| 2025 | S1001 | co-sponsor | UNIFORM PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT -- Adds to existing law to establish the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. | — |
| 2025 | S1004 | co-sponsor | CIVIL RIGHTS -- Amends existing law to provide that freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right. | — |
| 2025 | S1101 | co-sponsor | CORONERS -- Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding the duties of county coroners. | — |
| 2024 | H 422 | co-sponsorship | CHARTER SCHOOLS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish the Accelerating Public Charter Schools Act to provide for public charter schools that operate independently from traditional schools. | — |
| 2024 | H 441 | co-sponsorship | UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES – Amends existing law to revise the definition of “drug paraphernalia” to exclude fentanyl testing strips. | — |
| 2024 | H 450 | co-sponsorship | SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTIVITY FUNDS – Amends existing law to allow disbursements from school district activity funds through the use of a debit card. | — |
| 2024 | H 466 | floor-sponsor | ARCHITECTS – Amends existing law to include responding to solicitations for services within the practice of architecture and to provide that a firm offering to practice in Idaho shall identify an Idaho-licensed architect who will supervise such services. | — |
| 2024 | H 501a | co-sponsorship | MEDICAL LIENS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding medical liens, to update a provision regarding perfection of such liens, and to provide that liens shall relate to the charges for services or treatments provided. | — |
| 2024 | H 569 | Sponsorship | ATTORNEY GENERAL – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding annual reports on drug trafficking, manufacturing, delivery, and possession with the intent to distribute. | — |
| 2024 | H 588 | Sponsorship | PUBLIC RECORDS – Amends existing law to provide certain deadlines for producing records pursuant to a public records request. | — |
| 2024 | H 589 | co-sponsorship | HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATIONS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding certain disclosures and to provide for a restriction on transfer fees. | — |
| 2024 | H 661 | Sponsorship | ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to revise candidate filing deadlines for independent candidates for president and vice president. | — |
| 2024 | H 661 | floor-sponsor | ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to revise candidate filing deadlines for independent candidates for president and vice president. | — |
| 2024 | H 664 | co-sponsorship | ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS – Adds to existing law to provide for relief prohibiting the publication of synthetic media in electioneering communications, to provide for an action prohibiting the publication of synthetic media in electioneering communications, and to provide exceptions. | — |
| 2024 | H 721 | nan | ABORTION – Amends and repeals existing law to remove provisions regarding abortion. | — |
| 2024 | S 1234 | co-sponsorship | INSURANCE – Adds to existing law to provide that health benefit plans and student health benefit plans covering prescription contraception must provide reimbursement for a six-month supply except under certain circumstances. | — |
| 2024 | S 1395 | co-sponsorship | MEDICAL RECORDS – Adds to existing law to establish costs and a timeline for the provision of medical records. | — |
| 2024 | S 1428 | Co-sponsor | INCOME TAXES – Amends existing law to clarify that military retirement benefits are exempt regardless of the age or disability status of the retired military member or such member’s widow or widower. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1237 | co-sponsorship | CIVIL RIGHTS – Amends existing law to provide that freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1247a | co-sponsorship | HEALTH – Adds to existing law to provide for 24-hour holds for persons with major neurocognitive disorders experiencing an acute crisis. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1263 | Sponsorship | LIENS FOR PERFORMANCE OF FUTURE OBLIGATIONS – Amends existing law to provide for certain contracts secured by deeds of trust. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1298 | Sponsorship | PLATS AND SURVEYS – Amends existing law to revise definitions regarding the basis of bearing as it pertains to plats and surveys. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1299 | Sponsorship | LABOR – Amends and repeals existing law to remove an obsolete code section and references to that code section. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1345 | co-sponsorship | PRIVATE PROPERTY – Adds to existing law to prohibit entry onto private property by law enforcement and conservation officers unless certain conditions are met. | — |
| 2024 | SB 1349 | Sponsorship | UNIFORM GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP, AND OTHER PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS ACT – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act. | — |
| 2023 | Governor’s proclamation | SPONSOR | Dick Fosbury | — |
| 2023 | HB 0011 | FLOOR SPONSOR | ELECTIONS -- Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the use of private moneys for the purpose of election administration. | — |
| 2023 | HB 0018 | CO-SPONSOR | WORKER'S COMPENSATION -- Amends existing law to remove a sunset clause from a provision that makes psychological injuries suffered by first responders compensable. | — |
| 2023 | HB 0080 | CO-SPONSOR | TAXATION -- Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding evidence of a taxpayer's expenditures. | — |
| 2023 | HB 0089 | CO-SPONSOR | CITY COUNCILS -- Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the filling of a vacancy on a council and to provide for the filling of a vacancy in certain instances. | — |
| 2023 | HB 0219 | FLOOR SPONSOR | EDUCATION -- Amends existing law to revise eligibility and other provisions regarding Armed Forces and public safety officer scholarships. | — |
| 2023 | HB 157 | CO-SPONSOR | CONDOMINIUMS AND HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATIONS -- Amends existing law to provide that charging a fee for any statement of a unit owner's or member's account is a violation of specified law. | — |
| 2023 | HB 166aa | FLOOR SPONSOR | ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS -- Adds to existing law to prohibit certain kinds of restrictions on internal accessory dwelling units. | — |
| 2023 | HB 221 | CO-SPONSOR | ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT -- Adds to existing law to prohibit the name of any public official or any electioneering message from appearing on tax commission correspondence or county property tax correspondence. | — |
| 2023 | HB 238 | CO-SPONSOR | UNFAIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS ACT -- Adds to existing law to establish the Unfair Service Agreements Act. | — |
| 2023 | HB 292 | CO-SPONSOR | PROPERTY TAXES -- Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to create property tax relief by creating the School District Facilities Fund and the Homeowner Property Tax Relief Account, both of which are funded by state moneys. | — |
| 2023 | Hb 0024 | CO-SPONSOR | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT -- Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Launch Grant Program and to revise provisions regarding the In-Demand Careers Fund. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1011 | CO-SPONSOR | CIVIL RIGHTS -- Amends existing law to provide that freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1039 | CO-SPONSOR | PROPERTY -- Adds to existing law to provide that fees imposed on residential tenants shall be reasonable and to prohibit certain fees, fines, assessments, interests, and other costs. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1054 | CO-SPONSOR | PERSI -- Amends existing law to provide for the reemployment of certain retired members under certain circumstances. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1067 | SPONSOR | INSURANCE -- Amends existing law to provide certain limitations on coverage. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1086 | SPONSOR | TORT CLAIMS AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES -- Amends existing law to provide for a time for filing claims by a minor in a child abuse case. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1089 | CO-SPONSOR | PROPERTY -- Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding rental agreements and fees. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1092 | FLOOR SPONSOR | UNIFORM ELECTRONIC WILLS ACT -- Adds to existing law to provide for the execution of an electronic will. | — |
| 2023 | SB 1120 | CO-SPONSOR | LIQUOR -- Amends existing law to provide that retail liquor by the drink licenses issued on or after July 1, 2023, may not be sold, leased, or transferred and to provide that retail liquor by the drink licenses issued before July 1, 2023, may be sold or transferred only once. | — |
| 2022 | H 440 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 443 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 461 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 466 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 518 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 559 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 590 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 591 | Sponor, Floor Sponsor - Ruchti | — | |
| 2022 | H 596 | Sponsor, Floor Sponsor - Ruchti | — | |
| 2022 | H 617 | Co-Sponsor (Main Contact) | — | |
| 2022 | H 678 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | H 730 | Main Contact,Floor sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | S 1229 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | S 1259 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | S 1269 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2022 | S 1383 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | H 120 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | H 212 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | HR 3 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | S 1028 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | S 1029 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | S 1030 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | S 1118 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2021 | S 1130 | floor sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | H 479 | Co-sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | H 549 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | H 672 | co-contact | — | |
| 2010 | S 1270 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1273 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1274 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1275 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1348 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1349 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1350 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1351 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1353 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1389 | Co-Sponsor | — | |
| 2010 | S 1398 | floor sponsor | Did not find | — |
| 2009 | H 142 | floor sponsor | ||
| 2009 | H 205 | floor sponsor | — | |
| 2009 | H 223 | sponsor | — | |
| 2009 | HJM 2 | Co-sponsor | — | |
| 2009 | S 1084 | Co-sponsor | — | |
| 2008 | H 360 | Floor Sponsor | SALES TAX - Adds to and amends existing law to revise the definition of "retailer engaged in business in this state"; to provide conditions when a retailer has substantial nexus with the state of Idaho; and to provide application of the definition of "Internal Revenue Code." | — |
| 2008 | H 385 | Co-Contact | HIGHER EDUCATION - Amends existing law relating to higher education to revise the definition of resident student to include an officer or an enlisted member of the Idaho National Guard. | — |
| 2008 | H 515 | Co-Sponsor | SHOOTING RANGES - Adds to existing law relating to shooting ranges to provide for the establishment of criteria for the operation and use of state outdoor sport shooting ranges; to provide noise provisions and sound pressure measurements; to prohibit certain public or private nuisance actions; to require noise buffering or attenuation for certain new use; and to provide for the preemption of certain local governmental law. | — |
| 2008 | H 517 | Co-Contact | CONSUMER PROTECTION - Amends existing law relating to consumer protection to provide an enhanced penalty for certain conduct perpetrated against an elderly person or a disabled person; to provide priority for restitution; and to define terms. | — |
| 2008 | H 543 | Co-Contact | IDAHO EDUCATION NETWORK - Adds to existing law relating to the Idaho Education Network to state legislative findings; to require the State Department of Education to perform the duties assigned to it relating to the Idaho Education Network; to provide legislative findings; to define "Idaho Education Network (IEN)"; to provide for administrative oversight of the Idaho Education Network by the Department of Administration; to specify duties of the Department of Administration, including implementation of the goals and plans of the Idaho Education Network; to specify duties of the State Department of Education; to provide for management of site operations; and to create the Idaho Education Network Fund. | — |
| 2008 | H 578 | Co-Contact | COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRICTS - Adds to existing law relating to community infrastructure districts to provide for legislative purpose; to provide a short title; to define terms; to provide for creation of community infrastructure districts; to provide for organization of districts; to provide for district powers; to provide for change in district boundaries; to provide for amendments to the general plan; to provide for finances; to provide for general obligation bonds; to provide for elections; to establish limits on indebtedness and to provide for a levy; to provide for special assessments and special assessment bonds; to provide for revenue bonds; to provide for terms of bonds; to provide for notice and conduct of elections; to provide for costs of administration; to provide for annual financial statements and annual budget certification; to provide for disclosure; to provide for district dissolution; to provide for exemptions and exclusions; to provide for limitation of liability; and to provide for appeal. | — |
| 2008 | H 599 | Co-Sponsor | PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX - Amends and adds to existing law to revise definitions; to provide a partial exemption from taxation of personal property; to provide for reimbursement to local governments of personal property tax; to provide procedures; and to provide for distribution of sales tax moneys to counties and taxing districts. | — |
| 2008 | H 676 | Co-Contact | SALES TAX - Amends existing law relating to sales and use taxes to provide a rate of the sales tax at two percent of motor fuels that are subject to the motor fuels tax; to provide a rate of the use tax at two percent on the purchase of motor fuels that are subject to the motor fuels tax; to provide a partial exception to the sales and use tax exemption for motor fuels; and to provide for distribution of the moneys to the highway distribution account. | — |
| 2008 | H 677 | Co-Contact | MOTOR VEHICLES - Amends existing law relating to operating fees for vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding eight thousand pounds to increase operating fees for commercial, noncommercial and farm vehicles having a maximum gross weight not exceeding sixty thousand pounds; to increase the registration fee on commercial trailers; and to increase fees for vehicles having a maximum gross weight in excess of sixty thousand pounds. | — |
| 2008 | H 678 | Co-Contact | MOTOR VEHICLES - Amends existing law to increase the annual registration fees for motor vehicles with a maximum gross weight not exceeding eight thousand pounds; and to provide a partial exemption from certain fees for certain applicants. | — |
| 2008 | H 680 | Co-Contact | — | |
| 2008 | H 686 | Co-Contact | — | |
| 2008 | H 690 | Contact | — | |
| 2008 | HCR 50 | Co-Contact | — | |
| 2008 | S 1273 | Floor Sponsor | — | |
| 2008 | S 1327 | Floor Sponsor | — | |
| 2008 | S 1359 | Floor Sponsor | — | |
| 2008 | S 1367 | Co-Contact (on Revised Statement of Purpose) Co-Sponsor (on Original Statement of Purpose) | DID NOT FIND | — |
| 2008 | S 1376 | Co-Contact | — | |
| 2007 | H 124 | Co-Contact | CHILD ABUSE - REPORTING - Amends existing law relating to child abuse to provide a statute of limitations exception for a prosecution of failure to report or cause to be reported the abuse, abandonment or neglect of a child. | — |
| 2007 | H 125 | Co-Contact | CHILD ABUSE - Amends existing law relating to child abuse to provide a cause of action against an employer; to provide for a statute of limitations for discovery of an act, abuse or exploitation and its causal relationship to an injury or condition; to allow for computation of the date of discovery from the last act of a series of continuing acts, abuse or exploitation by the same perpetrator which is part of a common scheme or plan; and to provide that the knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian shall not be imputed to a child under the age of eighteen years. | — |
| 2007 | H 21 | Floor Sponsor | ADMINISTRATION CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT - Amends existing law relating to the Child Protective Act to remove the definition for "child advocate coordinator"; to revise a definition and to define "guardian ad litem coordinator"; to revise provisions applicable to the standards and duties of guardian ad litem coordinators; to require criminal history checks; to revise provisions relating to the disbursement of moneys in the guardian ad litem account; and to revise provisions applicable to guardian ad litem grants. | — |
| 2007 | H 242 | Floor Sponsor | INCOME TAX CREDIT - Amends existing law relating to income tax to provide an income tax credit for a charitable contribution to the state account established for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Program. | — |
| 2007 | H 37 | Floor Sponsor | MOTOR VEHICLES - Amends existing law relating to registration of vehicles weighing over 8,000 pounds to delete the restrictions on the refund of registration fees due to a change in ownership; and to clarify that a change in registration due to an increase in maximum gross registered weight during a registration year shall not result in a refund of fees already paid. | — |
| 2007 | H 8 | Floor Sponsor | REVENUE AND TAXATION NOTICE OF LEVY AND DISTRAINT - Amends existing law to provide that a notice of levy and distraint be sent by regular first class mail instead of certified mail when collecting state taxes. | — |