Judiciary and Rules

This bill establishes a new chapter in Idaho law to address alleged violations of legal prohibitions by public officers and employees. It allows certain government leaders to refer potential violations to the attorney general, who must notify the accused party and give them 14 days to either admit and fix the violation or deny it. If the violation is not resolved, the attorney general may file a court action to enforce compliance or seek to disqualify the individual from public office for up to five years. The bill applies to state agencies, schools, political subdivisions, and other public entities, excluding legislative and judicial branches.

This Idaho bill updates state laws to clarify definitions and strengthen protections against material harmful to minors. It directly affects individuals who distribute, sell, or provide explicit content to people under 18, as well as schools and public libraries. The legislation establishes specific definitions for terms like "minor," "nudity," and "sexual conduct," while prohibiting the promotion or distribution of sexually explicit materials to adolescents. Schools and libraries are explicitly barred from giving or making available such harmful material to minors. The law classifies violations as misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of $1,000.

This Idaho bill (S 1330) increases the monetary limit for small claims cases in magistrate courts from $5,000 to $15,000 for both money claims and personal property claims. It directly affects individuals and small businesses filing or defending such cases in Idaho's magistrate divisions. The bill clarifies that these courts cannot award punitive damages or compensation for pain/suffering in small claims proceedings. The amendment to Idaho Code § 1-2301 takes effect July 1, 2026.

H 522 establishes a "drone no-fly zone" around Idaho's correctional facilities, creating a 400-foot restricted airspace above prison grounds. It prohibits drones from operating in this zone for any illegal or dangerous purpose (like spying or smuggling), making violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $2,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail. Correctional facilities and law enforcement may use legal methods - such as jamming or physical capture - to disrupt drones operating "in a nefarious manner" within this zone. The law requires drone operators to know these restrictions, with ignorance not excused as a defense.

This bill updates Idaho's laws to strengthen protections for graves and human remains by prohibiting their removal, damage, sale, or public display. It directly affects individuals and entities that might interact with burial sites, including construction workers, collectors, and museums. The law makes it a felony to possess, sell, or exhibit human remains taken from graves after January 1, 1984, unless specific exemptions apply. Exemptions include legitimate activities by law enforcement, medical professionals, licensed mortuaries, accredited educational institutions, and religious organizations. The bill also establishes procedures for seizing and forfeiting illegal remains, which must be returned to the county coroner after legal proceedings.