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H 309

LOBBYISTS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions governing lobbying and lobbyists.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill 309 boosts transparency in Idaho lobbying by increasing reporting frequency and clarifying definitions, impacting lobbyists and state entities for clearer oversight.

Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
#government #legislature #lobbyingandlobbyists #reports #secretaryofstate
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Bill Summary · H 309

Summary of House Bill 309 (H 309)

Overview

House Bill 309, introduced on February 21, 2025, aims to amend, repeal, and add provisions governing lobbying and lobbyists in Idaho. This legislation seeks to enhance transparency in lobbying activities by updating existing laws originally enacted in 1974.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of H 309 is to:
- Increase Transparency: By separating lobbying reporting from campaign finance reporting, the bill aims to provide clearer insights into the influence of lobbyists on policymaking.
- Update Definitions: The bill clarifies what constitutes lobbying, explicitly including both direct and indirect efforts to influence governmental decisions.

Key Provisions

H 309 includes several significant changes to existing law:
1. Repeal of Existing Sections: The bill repeals multiple sections of the Idaho Code related to lobbying, including:
- Registration of lobbyists
- Exemptions from registration
- Reporting requirements for lobbyists
- Duties of lobbyists
- Employment of unregistered persons

  1. Reorganization of Laws: The lobbying provisions are moved from Title 67, Chapter 66 (State Government and State Affairs) to Title 74, Chapter 7 (Transparent and Ethical Government).

  2. New Reporting Requirements:

    • Lobbyists will be required to report more frequently, both during and outside of legislative sessions.
    • The bill establishes new provisions for the registration of lobbyists, exemptions, and reporting by state entities.

  3. Duties and Enforcement: The legislation outlines the duties of lobbyists and the Secretary of State, including provisions for enforcement and penalties for late filing of reports.

  4. Emergency Clause: The bill includes a declaration of an emergency, allowing for immediate implementation upon passage.

Impact

  • Who is Affected: The bill primarily impacts registered lobbyists, state entities, and the Secretary of State's office, which manages lobbyist reporting systems.
  • No Fiscal Impact: According to the fiscal note, the implementation of the new reporting requirements will not incur additional costs, as existing systems can accommodate the changes.

Legislative Timeline

  • February 21, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Joint Rules Committee for printing.
  • February 24, 2025: Reported printed and referred to the State Affairs Committee for further consideration.

Conclusion

House Bill 309 represents a significant update to Idaho's lobbying laws, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in the lobbying process. By reorganizing existing provisions and increasing reporting frequency, the bill seeks to provide clearer oversight of lobbying activities in the state.

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

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