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IdahoH 06862026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding employment of relatives and to provide an exemption regarding the employment of certain relatives.

Sponsored By: JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New rules for family hires in local government

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law sets tight rules on family hires in local government. Existing local employees who are related within the second degree to an elected local official may stay. They can get cost-of-living, step, merit, or across-the-board increases. Any special raise, bonus, or promotion needs an open-meeting vote and a written reason, and must match what similar workers receive. In cities under 10,000 people (based on the most recent decennial census), a city may hire a qualified relative only after a 45-day public posting, good-faith recruiting, no qualified applicants, and keeping written records. The city council must approve the hire in an open meeting and disclose the relationship. The related official cannot directly supervise the hire. The council confirms reviews, discipline, and pay decisions in writing. Pay increases are limited to cost-of-living or across-the-board, unless the council approves more in an open meeting with a written reason. A job cannot be created just to employ a relative.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Van T. Burtenshaw

    Republican • Senate

  • Josh Wheeler

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 99 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/16/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 65 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2026 Session Law Chapter 68 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/20/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 4:22 p.m. on March 18, 2026

    3/19/2026

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

    3/18/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/18/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/18/2026Senate

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

    3/17/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/17/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1

    3/16/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/12/2026Senate

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

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs

    3/6/2026Senate

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

    3/6/2026Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 65-4-1

    3/5/2026House

  14. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day

    3/4/2026House

  15. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/3/2026House

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

    3/2/2026House

  17. Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs

    2/17/2026House

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

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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