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H 222

An act relating to civil orders of protection

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 4 co-sponsors

Requires state agencies with websites to publish administrative rules/policies online and review them annually, plus a disclaimer that guidance is not law.

House message: Governor approved bill on June 5, 2025
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 222

Summary — Idaho House Bill No. 222 (2025)

Amendment adding Section 67-2512, Title 67, Idaho Code — State websites to include rule and policy documents

Main purpose

This bill requires Idaho executive departments, their divisions/sub‑entities, and constitutional officers that maintain an internet presence to publish their administrative rules and policy documents on their websites and to review those postings at least annually. It also requires a specific disclaimer clarifying that agency policy statements and guidance documents do not have the force of law under Idaho Code section 67‑5207A.

Note on source materials: some documents attached to the bill packet (including a Massachusetts bill and an unrelated bill title line referencing “civil orders of protection”) appear unrelated. This summary addresses the Idaho bill language that adds Section 67‑2512 to Title 67, Chapter 25.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new statutory section 67‑2512 to Idaho Code.
  • Applies to each department identified in §67‑2402(1) and each constitutional officer in §67‑2402(2) that maintains a website (including divisions, bureaus, sections, commissions, or other sub‑entities).
  • Requires those websites to include any administrative rules or policies promulgated by the entity.
  • Requires the posted content to be reviewed and updated at least once every 12 months for accuracy and currency.
  • Mandates the inclusion of this statement on each applicable website: "Agency policy statements and guidance documents shall not have the force and effect of law pursuant to section 67‑5207A, Idaho Code."
  • Declares an emergency and makes the act effective July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • State executive departments, divisions, bureaus, commissions, and constitutional officers that maintain websites.
  • Indirectly affects Idaho residents, businesses, attorneys, and stakeholders who rely on agency rules and guidance by improving online access and clarity about the legal status of agency guidance.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Fiscal note: minimal fiscal impact. The requirement applies only to entities that already have a website; no new rulemaking is required. Agencies will need to dedicate modest staff time to post and perform annual reviews/updates.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Introduced: February 12, 2025 (Idaho Legislature).
  • Passed both chambers in March–May 2025 and transmitted to the Governor.
  • Signed by the Governor: June 5, 2025.
  • Effective (emergency clause): July 1, 2025.

Practical effect

The bill standardizes online publication and annual maintenance of agency rules and policies, and it clarifies that such guidance documents are not legally binding rules — improving transparency while limiting legal reliance on informal agency guidance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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