Bill Description: House Bill 583a would clarify the timeline for establishing residency in Idaho for the purpose of voting. 

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NOTE: The Senate Amendment to House Bill 583 is reflected in the updated analysis below. The bill's original rating has changed. 

Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?

House Bill 583a would amend how Section 49-119(12), Idaho Code, defines an Idaho resident.

Currently, the law says, "'Resident' means for purposes of vehicle registration, titling, a driver's license or an identification card, a person whose domicile has been within Idaho continuously for a period of at least ninety (90) days, excluding a full-time student who is a resident of another state. A person, including a full-time student who has established a domicile in Idaho may declare residency earlier than ninety (90) days for vehicle registration, titling, driver's license and identification card purposes."

House Bill 583 would amend this language to say, "'Resident' means for purposes of vehicle registration, titling, a driver's license or an identification card, a person whose domicile has been within Idaho continuously for a period of at least thirty (30) days, excluding a full-time student who is a resident of another state. However, any driver's license or identification card issued to a person who has been domiciled in Idaho for less than thirty (30) days may not be used for identification for the purpose of voting. The department may title or register a vehicle to a person who has an Idaho driver's license or identification card and has been domiciled in Idaho for less than thirty (30) days."

This change clarifies residency for the purpose of voting, but it is unclear how the change from the "ninety (90)" day period in current law to just "thirty (30)" days will be interpreted in terms of when new arrivals to Idaho are required to obtain an Idaho driver’s license and to register and title their vehicles. 

Given the many challenges of moving to a new state, it would be problematic if this change is interpreted as shortening the deadlines for filing the paperwork and paying the fees required to obtain an Idaho driver’s license and to register and title vehicles.

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