WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 29

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)

The bill tightens control during a Call of the House by locking the east wing, requiring members to stay at their desks, and authorizing arrest of absentees if needed.

Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required – ADOPTED - 54-16-0AYES – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Leavitt, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Cayler, Harris, Hawkins, Hostetler, Manwaring, Marmon, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Tanner(14), Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – NoneFloor Sponsor - DygertTitle apvd - Filed in Office of the Chief Clerk
#capitol #government #houseofrepresentatives #legislature #resolutions #rules #safety
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 29

Overview

HR 29 proposes an amendment to Rule 18 of the Idaho House Rules to modify how a Call of the House is conducted. The bill would seal and lock the east wing of the third floor of the state Capitol during a call, and it would require members to return to their floor desks whenever business is being transacted under the call. The measure includes a formal process for identifying absentees, potential enforcement, and a standard warrant form for arrest of absent members.

Purpose and intent

  • Clarify and strengthen procedural control during a Call of the House.
  • Ensure access is restricted to the east wing during a call, while preserving the ability for leadership offices and restrooms to remain accessible for prolonged calls.
  • Require members to return to their floor desks when the House is transacting business during the call, improving order and visibility of attendance.

Key provisions and changes

  • The Sergeant at Arms would close and lock the doors of the east wing of the third floor during a call of the House.
  • Members would not be allowed to leave the Chamber while a call is in effect.
  • The Speaker would:
    • Order a roll call and identify absentees, recording them on the Journal as absent with leave or absent without leave.
    • Cause absentees to be brought in, with arrest of absentees only by majority vote of the members present.
    • Receive the Sergeant at Arms’ report on absentee status; the call may be dispensed with or continued on a majority vote of the entire membership.
  • While under call:
    • No business may be transacted except to act on the Sergeant at Arms’ report or to suspend the call or excuse absentees (the latter requires a majority vote of the entire membership).
    • All members must remain at their floor desks unless the presiding officer puts the House at ease.
  • A form of warrant for arrest of absent members is provided (preset language) to be used if necessary.
  • The call cannot be prolonged by motions entered after voting by ayes and nays has begun.

Who and what is affected

  • Members of the Idaho House of Representatives (principal effect on attendance and movement during a Call).
  • The east wing of the third floor of the Idaho State Capitol (access restricted during a call; remains accessible to leadership offices and restrooms per the statement of purpose).
  • The Sergeant at Arms (responsible for enforcing the call, locating absentees, and executing warrants when necessary).
  • The presiding officer (Speaker) and the House as a whole (governing procedures during a call).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The rule change would be applied when a Call of the House is ordered by at least one-third of members present.
  • The rule sets a step-by-step process for initiating the call, identifying absentees, and potentially arresting absentees with majority support.
  • The form of warrant and procedures for recording absences are codified within the rule change.
  • The measure includes a mechanism to dispense with the call once absentees are accounted for or to continue under a majority vote of the entire membership.
  • The legislative history shows passage through Rules with unanimous support for Rules Suspended in the second reading, and eventual adoption of the amendment text.

Fiscal impact

  • The accompanying fiscal note states no net revenue impact or expenditures at the state or local level. The amendment is administrative in nature and does not create new funding requirements.

Additional notes

  • The Statement of Purpose indicates the intent to allow access to leadership offices and restrooms during a prolonged call while keeping members seated and restricted from movement during the call.
  • HR 29 was introduced March 23, 2026, and advanced on March 24, 2026, as part of the ongoing 68th Idaho Legislature, Second Regular Session.

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

Sign in to ask a question.