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IdahoH 06022026 regular legislative sessionHouse

FOREIGN LAWS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions prohibiting the use of foreign laws in Idaho courts.

Sponsored By: JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

FOREIGN LAWS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Businesses can choose foreign law abroad

Beginning July 1, 2026, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and similar entities can still agree to be governed by foreign law for deals handled outside Idaho or the United States. This preserves their ability to use foreign legal systems in cross‑border contracts.

Idaho cases can’t rely on rights‑denying foreign law

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho courts cannot rely on foreign law that would deny basic rights. Any ruling that does so is void. Contract clauses that pick such foreign law, or send disputes to a forum that applies it, are unenforceable. Courts must keep cases in Idaho if moving them abroad would likely violate someone’s fundamental rights like due process, free speech, or religious freedom.

Religious and treaty carve-outs, old contracts stand

Contracts signed before July 1, 2026 keep their existing terms. The law does not limit the free exercise of religion or force courts to decide internal church matters. If a valid U.S. treaty or international agreement conflicts with this law, the treaty controls. All of these rules take effect July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Brian Lenney

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Moyle

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 89 • No: 12

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 28 • No: 6

House vote • 2/23/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 61 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 183 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/30/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:58 p.m. on March 26, 2026

    3/26/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/26/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/25/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/25/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/24/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 28-6-1

    3/24/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/20/2026Senate

  10. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Judiciary & Rules

    2/24/2026Senate

  12. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    2/24/2026Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 61-6-3

    2/23/2026House

  14. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 23, 2026

    2/20/2026House

  15. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/19/2026House

  16. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    2/18/2026House

  17. Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration

    2/9/2026House

  18. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    2/6/2026House

Bill Text

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