All Roll Calls
Yes: 87 • No: 14
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
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Boards manage library buildings and property
Beginning July 1, 2026, library boards provide and care for library buildings, rooms, furniture, and equipment. With city approval, boards can buy, lease, accept gifts of, sell, or insure library property and build facilities.
Rules for hiring other library staff
Beginning July 1, 2026, the board budgets, with the director’s recommendation, to hire needed staff. The director hires or oversees hiring under city policies and job descriptions. These workers are city employees and follow city personnel rules, unless a city ordinance says otherwise.
Stronger governance rules for library boards
Beginning July 1, 2026, library boards can adopt bylaws for how they operate. Trustees must attend all board meetings. Boards must keep legal records of all board business. Boards can use other powers needed to run the library, as long as those powers follow the law.
Boards set library use and materials rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, library boards set rules for using the library and for buying and lending materials. Boards can bar people who break library rules from using library spaces or services.
City and board share library director decisions
Beginning July 1, 2026, the library board hires, supervises, and evaluates the director. Hiring or firing the director must be approved by a majority of city council members. The director serves at the pleasure of the board, attends all board meetings, and cannot vote. The director advises the board, carries out board policy, manages staff, and buys materials and equipment.
Local library budgets, spending, and gifts
Beginning July 1, 2026, the library board prepares and adopts a budget for city council review and approval. The board controls how budgeted library funds are spent, following any city rules. The board can accept or refuse money or items from donors under library policy and any gift terms.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Jeff J. Cornilles
Republican • House
Ben Toews
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/23/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 28 • No: 6
House vote • 3/2/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 59 • No: 8
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 150 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/26/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/25/2026HouseReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/24/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 28-6-1
3/23/2026HouseRetained on calendar
3/17/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/13/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/12/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/3/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 59-8-3
3/2/2026HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, March 2, 2026
2/27/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/26/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
2/25/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Local Government
2/18/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
2/17/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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