Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1230 – Alcoholic Beverage License Fee Increases
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 1230 amends multiple sections of Idaho Code Title 23 to increase license and permit fees for alcoholic beverage businesses across the state. The bill raises fees by approximately 60% for various categories including brewers, dealers, wholesalers, retailers, wine importers, distributors, and wineries. For example, retail licenses in cities under 1,000 population increase from $300 to $480, dealer licenses rise from $100 to $160, and transfer fees increase from $20 to $32.
The legislation also establishes a new $50 permit fee for charitable events involving liquor donations under Section 23-509B and expands the director’s authority to require additional information from applicants. Additionally, the bill makes technical corrections throughout the code, including grammar fixes, standardizing terminology (such as changing ‘one (1) time’ to ‘onetime’), and correcting spelling errors. The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill primarily increases regulatory fees on businesses in the alcoholic beverage industry without addressing substantive policy changes in most evaluated areas. The fee increases represent a modest negative impact on government fiscal responsibility and economic principles by raising costs on businesses. The remaining provisions are technical corrections that have no bearing on the policy areas evaluated.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill increases numerous government fees and regulatory costs on businesses by approximately 60% across multiple license categories. Section 23-904 raises fees from $300 to $480, $500 to $800, and $750 to $1,200 for various retail licenses, while Section 23-1004 increases dealer fees from $100 to $160. These fee increases expand government revenue collection from the private sector without corresponding reductions in regulatory burden.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill addresses alcoholic beverage licensing fees and administrative procedures. It contains no provisions related to citizen participation in government, election processes, voting procedures, or civic engagement.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill exclusively amends alcoholic beverage licensing statutes. It contains no provisions related to education policy, schools, curriculum, parental rights in education, or educational funding.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
While alcoholic beverages may be produced from agricultural products, the bill does not address agricultural policy, farming operations, water rights for agriculture, or market competition in agricultural sectors. The changes are limited to licensing fee structures.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to water rights, water management, inter-basin transfers, prior appropriation doctrine, or water infrastructure. It is limited to alcoholic beverage licensing amendments.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill does not address natural resource management, environmental stewardship, wilderness areas, forest health, or federal land policies. All amendments concern alcoholic beverage licensing fees and procedures.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to energy independence, energy resource development, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or electrical rates. It exclusively addresses alcoholic beverage licensing.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill does not reference Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology development, or alternative energy research. It is unrelated to INL operations or policies.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
While the bill affects businesses operating on private property, it does not address property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or compensation for property restrictions. The changes are limited to fee adjustments for existing licensing frameworks.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to federal land management, state administration of lands, or reducing federal land ownership. It exclusively addresses alcoholic beverage licensing fees.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill does not address wildlife management, hunting, fishing, Fish and Game Department operations, predator control, or recreational access to lands. It is limited to alcoholic beverage licensing.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (-1)
The bill increases regulatory fees on businesses across multiple categories, raising costs for brewers, dealers, wholesalers, and retailers. Section 23-1014 increases brewer fees from $50 to $80 for small producers and from $500 to $800 for large producers, while Section 23-1315 raises winery fees from $300 to $480. These increases add to the regulatory burden on small businesses without reducing other requirements.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
While the bill pertains to alcoholic beverages, it does not address healthcare delivery, health insurance, patient rights, health savings accounts, or welfare programs. The changes are administrative fee adjustments only.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to family values, parental authority, marriage, right to life, children's welfare, or family structure. It exclusively addresses alcoholic beverage licensing fees.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill does not address policies or programs related to older Americans, retirement, services for the elderly, or employment policies affecting seniors. It is unrelated to this policy area.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill does not address gun rights, death penalty, drug policy, incarceration, juvenile justice, or immigration enforcement. While it regulates alcohol sales, the changes are limited to fee structures rather than enforcement or criminal justice policies.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to national defense, veterans' services, military operations, border security, National Guard deployment, or terrorism prevention. It is unrelated to defense policy.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill does not address judicial elections, judicial selection processes, or constitutional interpretation methods. It exclusively amends alcoholic beverage licensing statutes.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, conscience clauses, or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It is limited to alcoholic beverage licensing fees.