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S 1232 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

CRIME VICTIMS – Repeals and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding proceeds derived from criminal notoriety.

This bill repeals Idaho Code section 19-5301 and establishes Chapter 63, the "Idaho Son of Sam Law," requiring payments to offenders from crime-related publicity (e.g., book deals, interviews, or paid appearances) to be placed into a state escrow account for five years. Victims of crimes can claim these funds through court orders during the escrow period, while offenders receive any remaining money after five years if no valid claims are filed. The law explicitly excludes regular wages, unrelated income, works that only briefly mention the crime, and news/documented works with standard interview fees. It clarifies the law regulates only money earned from crime publicity, not free speech, and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim compensation from offender proceeds via escrow, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Signed Mar 18, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Text → Engrossment 1 · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to clarify that it applies to all proceeds from criminal notoriety regardless of the medium used to generate them, while explicitly exempting educational, journalistic, or expressive works not driven by commercial gain. The definition of 'notoriety' was narrowed to focus specifically on the offender's direct involvement in the crime, and a new term 'exploitation' was added to define the commercial use of a crime's fame. These changes aim to strengthen the law's ability to target financial gains from crime while better protecting free speech and legitimate artistic or news coverage.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly cover proceeds generated through any medium without regard to expressive content, but the definition of 'notoriety' was narrowed to require a direct connection to the offender's part in the crime. Additionally, a new exemption was created for works that are incidental, educational, journalistic, or expressive and not undertaken for commercial gain.
SCOPE

The purpose clause was updated to state that the chapter applies to proceeds derived from criminal notoriety without regard to the expressive content or medium through which they are generated.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'notoriety of a crime' was changed from a broad list including telling the story or marketing materials to a narrower definition requiring a direct connection to the offender's part in the crime.

A new definition for 'exploit' or 'exploitation' was added to clarify that knowingly deriving financial gain from criminal notoriety constitutes exploitation, while incidental or educational references do not.

The definition of 'proceeds' was revised to explicitly include any money or value derived from criminal notoriety regardless of the medium or form.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of 'offender' was simplified to mean a person convicted of a criminal offense in the state, removing specific inclusions for juveniles or those found not guilty by reason of insanity.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for payments to be sent to the state treasurer was updated to specify that it applies only to payments for work that 'exploits' the notoriety of a crime.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Mar 12, 2026

How they voted

33–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 35
Feb 19, 2026
D Democratic6
5 Yea 1
83% Yea
R Republican29
28 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-1-2AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson(Larsen), Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor,
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 33-0-2AYES – Adams, Bernt, Bjerke, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hawkins(Anthon), Keyser, Kohl, Lenney, Merrell(Lakey), Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – Lent, Ward-EngelkingFloor Sponsor - NicholsTitle apvd - to House
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
Amendments reported printed
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out without recommendation, as amended
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Placed in the Committee of the Whole
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to 14th Order for amendment
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Judiciary & Rules
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.