Rating: +1
Bill Summary:
Senate Bill 1038 adds a new chapter to Title 39 of Idaho Code that prohibits the State of Idaho and all of its political subdivisions from enforcing, implementing, or cooperating with mandates issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). The bill ensures that any directive, guideline, or requirement from the WHO — including mandates related to masking, vaccination, testing, or surveillance — shall have no legal effect or enforceability within the State of Idaho.
The bill applies broadly to all levels of state and local government, including counties, cities, and other political subdivisions, and prohibits any agency from relying on WHO directives as a legal basis for regulation or enforcement. It includes an emergency clause and becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
Reason for Rating:
S1038 aligns strongly with the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s commitment to limited government, state sovereignty, and the protection of individual liberty. By rejecting the authority of an unelected international body, the bill asserts Idaho’s right to self-governance and protects citizens from potential overreach by global institutions. It reinforces the platform’s stance against mandates that infringe on medical freedom and bodily autonomy, especially those handed down by foreign organizations with no accountability to Idaho voters. The bill serves as a clear defense against external coercion and centralized global control, earning it a positive rating.