Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0527 – Yellow Dot Program Repeal Act Analysis
Bill Summary
House Bill 527 repeals Chapter 47, Title 39 of the Idaho Code, which established the Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Act. This program previously allowed motorists to voluntarily provide medical information to emergency responders through a standardized system. The bill includes an emergency clause, making the repeal effective July 1, 2026.
The legislation eliminates the entire legal framework governing the Yellow Dot program without replacing it with alternative provisions. By repealing this chapter in its entirety, the state discontinues a voluntary medical information sharing program that had been available to Idaho motorists.
Overall Assessment
This bill receives a total score of +1, reflecting a modest positive alignment with the evaluation framework. The repeal demonstrates responsible government by eliminating a program that may have outlived its usefulness or proven cost-ineffective. The legislation has no impact on the vast majority of policy areas examined, as it narrowly focuses on repealing a single voluntary medical information program. The positive score derives entirely from the bill’s alignment with principles of limited government and program accountability.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (1)
The bill repeals Chapter 47, Title 39 of Idaho Code, eliminating the Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Act. This action aligns with the principle that programs which have outlived their usefulness should be terminated. The repeal reduces government involvement by discontinuing a voluntary program, demonstrating fiscal responsibility and program accountability.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill addresses only the repeal of a motor vehicle medical information program. It contains no provisions related to elections, voting procedures, citizen participation in government, or political discourse.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The legislation repeals a medical information program and makes no reference to education policy, curriculum, schools, teachers, or parental rights in education. The bill has no connection to educational matters.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill text contains no language addressing agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural markets, or related policies. The repeal of the Yellow Dot program has no impact on agricultural interests.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The legislation does not address water rights, water management, appropriation, or any water-related policies. The Yellow Dot program repeal has no connection to water resource issues.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to natural resources, environmental policy, land stewardship, or conservation. The repeal focuses exclusively on a medical information program.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The legislation makes no reference to energy policy, energy resources, production, or regulation. The Yellow Dot program has no relationship to energy matters.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill does not address the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology development, or related policies. The program repeal has no connection to INL operations.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The legislation contains no language addressing private property rights, takings, eminent domain, or property development. The Yellow Dot program repeal does not impact property rights.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill makes no reference to state or federal land management, land ownership, or jurisdictional issues. The repeal has no connection to land policy.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The legislation does not address wildlife management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or species designations. The Yellow Dot program has no relationship to wildlife policy.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill repeals a government program, it does not specifically address commerce, small business regulation, labor policy, or economic development as defined in this metric. The medical information program operates outside the scope of economic policy considerations.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
Although the Yellow Dot program relates to medical information, the bill merely repeals the program without adding new healthcare regulations or mandates. The legislation does not address healthcare delivery systems, insurance, welfare programs, or the broader health policy framework outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to family values, marriage, parental rights, right to life, or children's welfare. The program repeal has no connection to family policy.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The legislation does not specifically address policies affecting older Americans, their employment opportunities, or access to services. While older Americans may have used the Yellow Dot program, the bill does not target senior-specific policies.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill makes no reference to gun rights, criminal justice, drug policy, law enforcement, or state sovereignty issues. The Yellow Dot program repeal has no connection to law and order matters.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The legislation does not address national defense, veterans, military policy, border security, or terrorism. The program repeal has no relationship to defense or border issues.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to judicial elections, constitutional interpretation, or the selection of judges. The Yellow Dot program has no connection to judicial matters.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The legislation makes no reference to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or conscience protections. The program repeal does not impact religious liberty issues.