All Roll Calls
Yes: 33 • No: 0
IdahoH 08942026 regular legislative sessionHouse
OPEN MEETINGS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding requirements for open public meetings to permit recording of such meetings.
Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
OPEN MEETINGS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger access to Idaho public meetings
Most government meetings are open to the public, and no secret ballots are allowed. You may record open meetings by audio, video, or photos. Agencies can set rules for order but cannot ban or unreasonably limit recording or remove you for recording. Recording does not apply to executive sessions, meetings in state correction or juvenile facilities, or hearings of the pardons and parole commission. Officials may join by phone or video and count as present, but at least one official or the agency head must be at the posted location. All discussion must be audible to people in the room. Meetings cannot be held at places that practice discrimination by race, creed, color, sex, age, or national origin. These changes take effect July 1, 2026.
Narrow exceptions allow closed meetings
Some meetings do not have to be open to the public. After hearings end, the board of tax appeals, public utilities commission, and industrial commission may deliberate in private when deciding a party’s legal rights or duties. Meetings of the Idaho life and health insurance guaranty association, the Idaho insurance guaranty association, approved surplus line associations, and the depredating wildlife appeals board also do not have to be open. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Kyle Harris
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/31/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 33 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 281 Effective: 07/01/2026
4/2/2026Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
4/1/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 33-0-2
3/31/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/27/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/26/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/25/2026SenateRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/24/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/23/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
3/16/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
3/13/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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