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IdahoH 07152026 regular legislative sessionHouse

PUBLIC LIBRARIES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the powers and duties of library boards of trustees to hire and terminate library directors.

Sponsored By: LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

City councils must approve library directors

Beginning July 1, 2026, a city library board can hire or fire the library director only with a majority of the city council. The board still supervises and evaluates the director and sets library policy. The director hires or oversees hiring of other library staff using city job rules. Those staff are city employees unless a city ordinance says otherwise. The director is no longer described as serving at the pleasure of the board.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Jeff J. Cornilles

    Republican • House

  • Ben Toews

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 87 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 28 • No: 6

House vote • 3/2/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 59 • No: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 150 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/26/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:10 p.m. on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026

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

    3/25/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/24/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/24/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/23/2026House

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

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Retained on calendar

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/13/2026Senate

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

    3/12/2026Senate

  12. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Local Government & Taxation

    3/3/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 59-8-3

    3/2/2026House

  15. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, March 2, 2026

    2/27/2026House

  16. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/26/2026House

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

    2/25/2026House

  18. Reported Printed and Referred to Local Government

    2/18/2026House

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

    2/17/2026House

Bill Text

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