\Idaho Press Tribune
February 14, 2026
By Angie Lewis

Congress has taken a significant step toward improving cancer screening and detection for seniors on Medicare. On February 3, the bipartisan Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Act was officially signed into law, marking an important win for patients, families, and physicians nationwide.

I want to thank Senator Crapo for his leadership in authoring and advancing the MCED Act, as well as Idaho’s entire congressional delegation for helping get this critical legislation across the finish line. Their efforts ensure that innovation in early cancer detection can finally reach the seniors who need it most.

Too many cancers are still diagnosed at later stages, when treatment becomes more invasive, harder, and more expensive. This problem is especially significant in rural states like Idaho, where access to specialists and advanced screening options can be limited.

MCED blood tests, when used alongside existing screenings, could help detect multiple cancers earlier with a simple blood draw. With this law now in effect, Medicare patients and their doctors will have a clearer way to access these potentially life-saving tools once they are proven safe and effective.

This is an important step toward earlier cancer detection, improved outcomes, and greater hope for Idaho families.

Angie Lewis
Meridian

​One of the most significant discussions so far has centered on Idaho’s annual tax conformity legislation. Traditionally a routine update aligning state tax code with federal law, this year’s proposal has generated more debate given both federal tax changes and the state’s current fiscal outlook. Lawmakers are considering revisions that would delay certain tax treatments for research and development expenses and adjust related credits. The Chamber has shared high-level concerns about predictability and retroactive impacts on businesses and will continue working with policymakers as the bill moves through the process.

Regionally, a proposal in Utah that would place a new tax on fuel refined there but sold in neighboring states has also drawn attention. Idaho leaders have formally expressed opposition, citing potential cost increases for Idaho consumers and businesses, and the Chamber has joined partners in encouraging continued collaboration between our states.

Beyond the Capitol, the Idaho Chamber Alliance is starting the year with new leadership and fresh momentum, welcoming Travis Jones as its new director. The Alliance recently hosted its annual Chamber Days at the Capitol, bringing together a strong lineup of speakers including Governor Brad Little, Senate Pro Tem Kelly Anthon, Speaker Mike Moyle, and Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee co-chairs Senator Scott Grow and Representative Josh Tanner. Attendees also heard from community and business leaders on the issues shaping Idaho’s economic outlook—from managing local growth and navigating tax conformity to expanding childcare options that support a stable workforce.
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As the session continues, we will keep members informed on key developments and opportunities to engage in advocacy that supports a strong, stable business environment across the Treasure Valley and across Idaho.

​A summary of the Governor's State of the State and Budget Address: 
The Governor’s budget proposal includes both permanent and one-time spending changes. On the savings side, it permanently reduces state spending by nearly $120 million through a 3% agency reduction required by the Idaho Act, eliminates more than 100 long-vacant state positions for $20 million in ongoing savings, and cuts $30 million by ending the Empowering Parents grant program.
The proposal also recommends cutting $10 million each year from local drinking water and wastewater projects, making a one-time $275 million reduction to the Transportation Department’s Strategic Initiatives Fund, and not funding higher education enrollment workload increases, saving $9.5 million in fiscal year 2027.
On the investment side, the budget includes $925 million in federal spending authority over five years for rural healthcare, nearly $1 million for graduate medical residency programs, and a $45 million reduction in General Fund Medicaid spending through a 4% provider rate adjustment and other service changes that would require legislative approval.
The Governor also expressed the importance of the continuation of the Idaho LAUNCH program and the growth of workforce development. 

The legislative session opened with an immediate focus on the state budget, as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) met early under new leadership and quickly turned to fiscal discussions. Representative Josh Tanner (R, D-14) replaced Representative Wendy Horman and chaired the committee’s first meeting of the year. The Governor’s budget proposal received mixed reactions from legislators. Some questioned whether the proposed reductions go far enough to meet the state’s balanced budget requirement, while others raised concerns about potential cuts to public education or Medicaid provider rates. 

The Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee developed the revenue projection for current FY26 at $5.665 billion and $5.816 billion for FY27. This number is 2.8% more than the Governor's recommendation for FY26 and 2.4% for FY27. JFAC voted and approved this number on Monday.

HB506 - The State Taxation Anticipated Revenue or STARs program allows developers to receive a rebate of sales taxes to be collected from retailers within a new complex for transportation improvements. The law currently has a minimum expenditure of $6 million and a maximum of $35 million for a qualified project. This legislation increases the minimum project total to $10 million and the maximum to $100 million.

HB519 - This proposed legislation is the annual tax conformity bill to update references to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The bill conforms the Idaho income tax code to changes made to the IRC that affect the 2025 tax year. It fully conforms Idaho to the tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including recapture of past R&E, except for bonus deprecation which Idaho has historically not conformed to. This proposed legislation also ensures that businesses cannot use the same R&E expenses for both a deduction and Idaho tax credits.

SB1225 - This legislation defines the process for all president searches for the state institutions of higher education and amends Idaho Code to make the name of the sole finalist publicly available for 10 days prior to the final decision being made by the hiring authority. (Instead of the current five finalists required)