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ID H0510
Bill
Status
1/21/2026
Primary Sponsor
State Affairs Committee
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AI Summary
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Public employees may communicate in good faith with Idaho legislators, legislative committees, and legislative staff—including sharing information, data, analysis, or professional expertise—without employer retaliation or adverse action.
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Employers are prohibited from adopting policies that restrict employee communication with legislators, require prior approval for such communication, or subject employees to discipline for contacting the legislature.
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Executive branch agencies must acknowledge legislative public records requests within 3 working days and provide substantive responses within 15 working days, with a possible 15-day extension for complex requests.
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Employees who experience retaliation may bring civil action within 180 days seeking injunctive relief and actual damages, with noneconomic damages capped under existing Idaho law and no punitive damages permitted against governmental entities.
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Declared an emergency measure, effective July 1, 2026.
Legislative Description
Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions to protect public employees from certain adverse actions, to provide certain remedies for violations, and to provide special procedures for public record requests by the Legislature and legislative staff.
GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS
Last Action
Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
1/22/2026