LEGISLATURE – Adds to existing law to authorize the Legislature to employ counsel in addition to the Attorney General in actions against the federal government.

This bill (H 498) allows Idaho's legislature to hire its own legal counsel, separate from the state Attorney General, to pursue lawsuits against the federal government. Specifically, it authorizes the Senate president pro tempore and House speaker to jointly employ private lawyers when they determine the state's interests require it. The law applies directly to the Idaho legislature and clarifies its authority to independently fund legal action against federal policies or actions. It does not change existing state law on federal lawsuits but provides a new funding mechanism for legislative-led litigation. The bill is effective 30 days after passage.