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HR 23

CALL OF THE HOUSE – Proposes an amendment to House Rule 18 to provide for the doors to the east wing of the third floor of the state capitol building to be locked during a call of the House and to provide for members to return to their floor desks when business is transacted.

68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

HR 23 locks east wing doors during House votes to ensure lawmakers stay at their desks during critical legislative business, enforcing attendance through physical barriers.

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Bill Summary · HR 23

Legislative bill overview

HR 23 proposes a procedural amendment to Idaho House Rule 18 that would require the doors to the east wing of the third floor of the state capitol building to be locked during a "call of the House" (when members are summoned to the chamber for voting). The bill also mandates that members return to their assigned floor desks when business is being transacted.

Why is this important

This addresses chamber management and member accountability during legislative sessions. A call of the House is a formal procedure to ensure quorum and compel attendance for votes on significant matters. Locking the east wing doors during these calls would physically enforce member presence and prevent members from being absent during critical votes. The rule change also establishes expectations about member positioning in the chamber during active business.

Potential points of contention

The primary contention involves personal freedom and operational practicality. Members may view mandatory desk presence as restrictive, particularly for those with legitimate needs to leave the chamber temporarily (restroom breaks, committee work, constituent meetings). The locking of doors raises accessibility and emergency safety concerns that could face scrutiny. Additionally, the bill assumes the east wing contains non-essential spaces, which may not align with actual usage patterns. Some members may argue this creates an unnecessarily rigid procedural framework rather than relying on existing quorum enforcement mechanisms and member discipline. The bill's focus on physical enforcement rather than behavioral standards could be seen as either necessary strictness or overreach depending on whether the chamber currently faces documented attendance problems.

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

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