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Bill

S 1071

TRANSPORTATION – Amends existing law to create a voluntary donation for the purpose of promoting and advancing vision health.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Adds a voluntary $2 check-off on Idaho driver's license forms to fund free vision screenings and treatment for low-income residents who fail the DMV eye exam, via Envision Sight.

Returned from House Failed; to Secretary of Senate
#drivers #identificationcards #licensesandpermits #motorvehicles #transportation
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Bill Summary · S 1071

Summary — Idaho Senate Bill S 1071 (2025)

Purpose

S 1071 would add an optional $2 voluntary donation on driver's license and renewal applications to support free vision screening, eye health exams, and vision treatment for low‑income Idahoans who fail the DMV eye exam. The bill also amends the state’s Organ Donation Contribution Fund to permit collection and distribution of voluntary contributions to two named nonprofits (Envision Sight in Boise and Intermountain Donor Services in Salt Lake City) and makes related technical changes. The bill declares an emergency and includes an immediate effective date upon enactment.

Key provisions

  • Adds to Idaho Code §49‑306 a voluntary $2 check‑off option on driver’s license/renewal/application forms to collect contributions for vision services.
  • Amends Idaho Code §49‑2447 (Organ Donation Contribution Fund) to:
    • Specify that the Idaho Transportation Department (through DMV) administers and distributes moneys.
    • Permit moneys collected for Envision Sight to be distributed to Envision Sight (Boise) for vision screening, treatment, and eye health services.
    • Provide that funds collected for Intermountain Donor Services (Salt Lake City) support a statewide organ donation registry and donor awareness in Idaho.
    • Require the State Treasurer to invest idle fund moneys; investment earnings to be credited to the fund and interest distributed at least quarterly between the two organizations based on contribution ratios.
  • DMV may deduct administrative costs from collected donations before remitting the remainder to the designated organizations.
  • Includes reporting and rulemaking duties for DMV regarding fund distribution and an annual report to legislative health committees.

Who would be affected

  • Idaho driver’s license applicants and renewers (optional donors) — $2 per contributor only if they opt in.
  • Low‑income Idaho residents who fail DMV eye exams — potential recipients of no‑cost vision screening, exams, and treatment funded by donations to Envision Sight.
  • Envision Sight (Boise) and Intermountain Donor Services (Salt Lake City) — recipients and administrators of fund distributions.
  • Idaho Transportation Department / Division of Motor Vehicles and State Treasurer — administrative and investment responsibilities.

Fiscal and administrative notes

  • The fiscal note (proponent‑prepared) states DMV will deduct administrative costs from collected donations before remitting funds. No direct state general fund appropriation is specified; the fund is to consist of private contributions, grants, voluntary donations under title, and other approved moneys.
  • The bill creates or modifies continuous appropriations for the organ donation contribution fund and requires periodic reporting.

Legislative status (select timeline)

  • Introduced in the Idaho Senate: March 14, 2025.
  • Passed the Senate (unanimous consent reported August 1, 2025).
  • Received in the House and considered; on March 31, 2025, the House failed the bill on third reading (vote recorded 23 Ayes – 44 Nays – 3). Returned from House Failed and sent to Secretary of the Senate (April 1, 2025).
  • Final status recorded: Returned from House Failed; to Secretary of Senate.

Sponsors

  • Listed in the document as John Cornyn (primary) and Ted Cruz (cosponsor). (Note: these names appear in the provided materials; readers may wish to verify sponsorship in official Idaho legislative records.)

If you want, I can prepare a one‑page explainer for voters or a short briefing memo for lawmakers describing likely program uptake, administrative burdens, and comparable programs in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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