All Roll Calls
Yes: 81 • No: 22
IdahoH 03982025 regular legislative sessionHouse
LOBBYISTS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions governing lobbying and lobbyists.
Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
LOBBYISTS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.
Lobbying violations bring fees and penalties
Beginning July 1, 2025, late lobbying reports trigger a $50 daily fee starting 48 hours after the deadline. Fees continue until filing and go to Idaho's general fund. The Secretary of State must give notice by phone or electronic means within 24 hours after the missed deadline. Specified violations carry civil fines up to $250 for individuals or $2,500 for other entities. Conduct violations, and knowing and willful violations of specified filing duties, are misdemeanors carrying up to six months in jail. Applicable fines can also apply, and late fees do not replace civil or criminal remedies.
Lobbyists must certify filings and keep records
Beginning July 1, 2025, required lobbying statements must be signed and certified as true and correct. Electronic signatures follow Idaho's electronic transactions law. People required to register must keep supporting financial records for at least three years after filing each report. Those records must be available for Secretary of State inspection. An employer or client must preserve them when an employment contract requires the records to be turned over.
Lobbyists must register and pay fees
Beginning July 1, 2025, covered lobbyists must register before lobbying or within 30 days of hiring or designation, whichever comes first. Registration costs $10, with another $10 for each separate notice identifying a person paying for lobbying. A single-statement exception applies to contributors supporting lobbying on the same legislation or type of legislation. Lobbyists must update employment or contract changes and terminations within one week, and file revised statements each January 10. Hiring or paying an unregistered, nonexempt lobbyist is prohibited, with an exception for registration as soon as practicable afterward.
Broader lobbying rules with specific exemptions
Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho's lobbying rules cover direct and indirect efforts to influence legislation and executive decisions. This includes rules, rates, bids, contracts, bond issues, and some relationship-building and entertainment. Specified legal work, post-award negotiations, and official employee communications remain excluded. Unpaid lobbyists and people paid no more than $250 per calendar quarter are exempt from registration and reporting. Employees also qualify when their lobbying time is worth less than $250 per quarter. Other exemptions cover public-session participants, news-gathering employees, certain officials, and church members lobbying solely to protect religious free exercise. Trade association members qualify when acting at a registered association's request; the association must report spending. Corporate employees qualify through a registered entity with a designated, registered lobbyist. That entity must report covered employee spending and identify employees spending at least $50 per calendar year.
Lobbyists face deception and conflict limits
Beginning July 1, 2025, people required to register cannot lobby before registering or knowingly deceive lawmakers about legislation. They cannot arrange a bill or amendment's introduction to secure later work defeating it. Representing opposing interests requires prior informed client consent, and retaliation against legislators is prohibited. The law also bars contingent pay for lobbying executive officials and lobbying specified close relatives.
Lobbyists face monthly and rapid reporting
Beginning July 1, 2025, registered lobbyists must report the prior month's activities within 15 days after each month begins. Reports list spending by category and legislative or executive matters supported or opposed. Certain single-event spending involving officials or their household members must be itemized when it exceeds $135 per person. That threshold adjusts every two years for inflation; lobbyists must divide spending proportionately among their employers or clients. Indirect-lobbying spending of $100 or more requires a report within 48 hours. Food, refreshments, and entertainment need only appear in monthly reports. The Secretary of State electronically notifies the listed employer, client, or contact when a report is filed. State offices, agencies, and state-funded schools offering gifts through legislative or executive interactions must also report, unless their lobbyist files everything required.
Public gets searchable lobbying funding disclosures
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Secretary of State must provide online filing and a publicly searchable lobbying-report database. An individual hardship waiver allows another filing format; the office must add that report online within three days. Public messages reportable as lobbying expenses must clearly name the filing entity, client, or employer that paid for them. Messages asking for money must also disclose that they are fundraising.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Kelly Arthur Anthon
Republican • Senate
Bruce D. Skaug
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 27 • No: 8
House vote • 3/25/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 54 • No: 14
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on April 3, 2025 Session Law Chapter 280 Effective: 07/01/2025
4/4/2025Delivered to Governor at 1:17 p.m. on April 3, 2025
4/3/2025Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
4/3/2025SenateSigned by President; returned to House
4/3/2025SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
4/3/2025SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
4/2/2025HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
4/2/2025HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 27-8-0
4/2/2025SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
4/1/2025SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/31/2025SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
3/26/2025SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/26/2025SenateRules Suspended: Ayes 60 Nays 2 Abs/Excd 8, read in full as required – PASSED - 54-14-2
3/25/2025HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/25/2025HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/24/2025HouseReported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
3/12/2025HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
3/11/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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