# Idaho H 0498: LEGISLATURE – Adds to existing law to authorize the Legislature to employ counsel in addition to the Attorney General in actions against the federal government.

Idaho H 0498, LEGISLATURE – Adds to existing law to authorize the Legislature to employ counsel in addition to the Attorney General in actions against the federal government., is a 2026 regular legislative session House bill sponsored by STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE; status failed, last action 2026-02-18 (Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-H0498-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Idaho H 0498
- State: Idaho
- Session: 2026 regular legislative session
- Title: LEGISLATURE – Adds to existing law to authorize the Legislature to employ counsel in addition to the Attorney General in actions against the federal government.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-19
- Last action: 2026-02-18, Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
- Sponsor: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: LEGISLATURE
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (61 yes, 8 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
- Cosponsor: Bruce D. Skaug (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-17 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 61 | 8 |   |

## Actions (8)

- 2026-02-18: Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Received from the House passed; filed for first reading (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 61-8-1 (House)
- 2026-02-16: U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day (House)
- 2026-02-13: Read second time; Filed for Third Reading (House)
- 2026-02-12: Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading (House)
- 2026-01-20: Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs (House)
- 2026-01-19: Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing (House)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0498.pdf)

## Related bills

- H 0939: HUNTING – Amends existing law regarding the use of certain technologies. (signed)
- H 0810: ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to provide certain physical presence requirements for state representatives and senators. (signed)
- S 1356: SINGLE COUNTYWIDE HIGHWAY DISTRICTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the election of commissioners in certain single countywide highway dis… (signed)
- S 1359: VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK FRAUD PREVENTION ACT – Adds to existing law to establish the Virtual Currency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Act. (vetoed)
- S 1362: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2027. (signed)
- S 1448: MINORS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding material harmful to minors. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0498.pdf)

## Related
- [H 0939: HUNTING – Amends existing law regarding the use of certain technologies.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-H0939-2026)
- [H 0810: ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to provide certain physical presence requiremen…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-H0810-2026)
- [S 1356: SINGLE COUNTYWIDE HIGHWAY DISTRICTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-S1356-2026)
- [S 1359: VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK FRAUD PREVENTION ACT – Adds to existing law to establish…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-S1359-2026)
- [S 1362: APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Sc…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-S1362-2026)
- [S 1448: MINORS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding material harmful to…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-S1448-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ID-H0498-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).