STATE EMPLOYEES

Idaho agencies used options to save as many jobs as possible as they cut personnel costs by 5 percent, but some employees still may have to take unpaid time off.

For example, the Health and Welfare Department, one of the biggest agencies with about 3,100 employees, met its 5 percent mark of $7.9 million by transferring budget funds from operations to personnel to save 39 positions; laying off 23 workers; holding 27 positions open for 2010 - on top of the 20 held open from 2009; and having staffers take four furlough days, which alone saved 37 positions, spokesman Tom Shanahan said.

STUDENTS

The state budget for textbooks and maintenance was slashed about $4 million and $21 million respectively, but that may not mean no new books or repairs for public schools.

Many school districts were planning for the inevitable cuts, and some will use property taxes to offset some cuts.

For example, Nampa taxpayers in 2008 approved a two-year supplemental levy, which will buy a new K-12 math curriculum for the coming school year. And many maintenance projects, including upgrades at all the middle schools, major renovations at Nampa High School, and other work, will be paid for from a bond levy passed in 2007.

The state Department of Education also gave schools flexibility to use lottery money wherever it is needed, not just on maintenance.

TEACHERS

They won't get a raise for experience this year, unless they're designated as master teachers.

Most Idaho school districts have not cut salaries or teachers but are relying on attrition, retirement and supplemental funds to make up for a 2.63 percent decrease in the state appropriation for teacher pay, said Melissa McGrath, spokeswoman for the Department of Education.

Only 18 of the state's 115 school districts - including Middleton, Emmett, Payette, Weiser and Fruitland - have declared financial emergencies, which allow them to renegotiate teacher contracts with the options of lowering salaries, using furloughs or having educators pay more for their health benefits. The districts must meet certain state and local financial requirements before they can declare an emergency, McGrath said.

"The goal is to not increase class sizes and to make sure this has the least impact on students as possible," she said.

Teachers also will receive only $300 for classroom supplies instead of $350.

GUN OWNERS

If you own a gun, you can keep it if martial law is declared. The information you provide for a concealed weapons permit will be exempt from public records disclosure, which also protects retired law enforcement officers whose personal information was available through this method. And your employer won't be liable if it lets you store your weapon in your vehicle on a company lot, which means less time driving home before heading out to hunt after your shift ends.

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

After conviction, they likely will be required to reimburse law enforcement agencies for blood draws, laboratory analysis, preservation of evidence and court testimony.

Costs vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In Ada County, the cost to draw blood is about $200, and then $100 for each test. The past fiscal year, the Boise Police Department spent $40,000 for blood draws alone.

A second law gives repeat DUI offenders involved in alcohol and drug courts the chance to drive again sooner than those who aren't in the heavily supervised programs. Judges can grant limited driving privileges after a suspension of at least 45 days, down from one year. Drivers must install devices that test their blood alcohol content before the car can start and must carry high-risk car insurance.

PAYDAY LENDERS AND BORROWERS

If you're an unlicensed payday loan lender, a new law will allow customers to walk away scot-free from their debts to you. The law also gives borrowers the right to recover monies paid to you, and it authorizes the Department of Finance to issue cease and desist orders and to seek restitution for consumers.

In the past, payday and title loan companies operating in Idaho have been required to obtain licenses through the Department of Finance but without the threat of losing money. Idaho's payday loan law was last revised in 2003 to cap the maximum amount a customer can borrow in any 24-hour period at $1,000.

According to nextdaycheck.com, as of 2008, there were 239 licensed payday lenders in Idaho. In 2007, Idahoans took out 1.36 million payday loans totaling $389 million.

BOATERS

This law has actually been in effect since April 8, because lawmakers considered the threat of invasive mussels an emergency. You must buy an invasive species sticker if you plan to put some type of craft in an Idaho river or lake.

But the Canyon County Sheriff's Office says it will offer a temporary reprieve to registered boat owners who are scrambling to buy the stickers. Lt. Ben Keyes says the Sheriff's Office is still educating boaters about the program and will delay $57 citations for those not in compliance with the new law because of a backlog of requests for the stickers.

So far, 80,000 invasive stickers have been sold or placed in the parks for sale, said Dave Ricks, interim director of the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department.

The sticker fees, which help fight invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels, are $10 for motorized boats registered in Idaho; $5 for all canoes, kayaks, sailboards, rafts and drift boats; and $20 for motorized boats registered outside the state. Wakeboards, kite boards and inflatable inner tubes or rafts less than 10 feet long are exempt from fees.

Money from the stickers goes to the Idaho Department of Agriculture to install wash stations at boat ramps and put up educational billboards and signs. Register online or get your questions answered at http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov.

OTHER LAWS AT A GLANCE

• New license plates: Buy a new "Innovation" license plate and your fee will go to the Idaho Innovation Fund for attracting companies. (Other specialty plates become available Jan. 1, including an Idaho Freemason plate to raise money for the Shriners, and an Idaho Earth Sciences and Lapidary license plate, to support the Idaho Gem Club, educating K-6 students.)

• Public officials: Members of boards, councils and commissions could be fined up to $150 for closing a meeting or altering an agenda without proper action. Knowingly violating open meeting laws would cost $500.

• Midwives: They must be regulated and licensed.

• Death row inmates: The 16 men and one woman waiting on Idaho's death row won't have to face a firing squad ever. Idaho has executed only one person in the past 50 years, but it was the last state to do away with a firing-squad option.

SOME NEW LAWS WON'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL LATER:

• Drivers: Starting Jan. 1, you'll pay more for a driver's license, identification card or a car title and registration.

• Day-care providers: Also Jan. 1, you'll face more intensive licensing standards if you operate a day-care center for seven or more children.

• People with health insurance: Starting Jan. 1, you will have a right to an independent review of an insurer's decision to deny a claim on the grounds that the service is not medically necessary or is investigational.

• Voters: Beginning in 2011, you won't have to worry about missing elections on odd dates for school levies and obscure taxing districts. Most elections will be held in May and November. Public schools will be allowed to hold levy and bond elections in March and August as well.

Sandra Forester: 377-6464