Idaho Conflict of Interest Act (S1238) Summary

• Requires all public officers and candidates to file annual financial disclosure statements with the Secretary of State, covering income sources exceeding $1,000, businesses owned, real property interests, debts over $1,000, gifts, business licenses, and state bonds.

• Defines "public officers" as governor, lieutenant governor, state senators and representatives, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, state controller, state treasurer, and state supreme court and court of appeals justices.

• Establishes filing deadlines of February 15 annually for public officers covering the preceding calendar year, and within 30 days of becoming a candidate for candidates.

• Creates criminal penalties for knowingly filing materially incomplete or false disclosure statements (misdemeanor offense) and civil penalties of $50 per day of noncompliance, capped at $5,000 per related series of violations.

• Takes effect January 1, 2013 and requires the Secretary of State to prepare written guidelines, forms, and sample statements for completing disclosures.