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HR 4

Memorials, Retirement - Caroline Vallejos -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Aron Maberry

Idaho Rule 70 would restrict floor access to current legislators, staff, and news media, requiring others (including former lawmakers) to be sponsored and cleared or leave during b

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Bill Summary · HR 4

Summary — House Resolution 4 (Rule 70 amendment — admittance to House floor)

Note on scope: multiple jurisdictions use the designation “HR 4.” The materials you provided include several different HR 4 texts (federal rescissions bill H.R.4 / Public Law No. 119‑28, various state House resolutions). This summary focuses on the Idaho House Resolution (RS32118 / HR004) and its proposed change to Rule 70 (admittance to the floor of the House of Representatives), which matches the fiscal note and committee report provided.

Main purpose

To amend Rule 70 of the Idaho House Rules to restrict who may remain on the floor while the House is transacting business. The stated intent is to prevent former House members (and other non‑legislator guests) from being present on the floor during proceedings without specific authorization, addressing concerns about former members acting as lobbyists or making political statements while the chamber is conducting business.

Key provisions / text changes

  • Rule 70 (Admittance to Floor of House) is revised to:
    • Require badges prepared by the Chief Clerk for elected state officials, former state legislators, legislative employees, and media representatives to be admitted to the floor.
    • Limit who may be on the floor while the chamber is conducting business to:
    • Legislators
    • Legislative employees
    • Representatives of the news media
    • Require any elected state official or former state legislator to be sponsored by a legislator to be admitted and to leave the floor before the House commences business unless specifically authorized by the Speaker to remain during business.
    • Require all other guests to be cleared through the Speaker (or designees) and the Sergeant at Arms before admittance.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected:
    • Former state legislators and elected state officials (their automatic access to remain during business would be curtailed).
    • Legislative staff and current Members (access and procedures affirmed).
    • News media representatives (must wear badges; allowed on floor during business).
    • Guests of the House, lobbyists, and other visitors (must be cleared and may not remain during business unless authorized).
  • Indirectly affected:
    • Organizations or individuals that rely on in‑chamber access for observation, advocacy, or ceremonial reasons.

Fiscal impact

  • The fiscal note states there is no fiscal impact to the state General Fund or to local government. The change is not expected to impose significant additional administrative duties.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Committee action: Idaho House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee reported the resolution Do Pass (roll 6–0) on March 8, 2025, and it was referred to Judiciary Committee.
  • Status (per supplied Bill Information header): Action postponed indefinitely (listed as 2025‑06‑03).
  • Sponsor(s)/Contact: Representative Stephanie Jo Mickelsen is listed on the fiscal note as contact. (The legislative drafter/sponsors in your packet include other names for distinct HR 4 versions; for this Idaho resolution, the text indicates authorship within the Idaho House.)

Practical effect

If enacted, the rule would institutionalize tighter control over floor access during live House business, reducing opportunities for non‑members (including former members and elected officials who are not currently legislators) to remain on the floor during proceedings unless the Speaker permits them to do so. The measure emphasizes procedural control and chamber decorum rather than creating substantive legal or budgetary changes.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a redline comparing the current Rule 70 to the proposed version; or
- Extract the exact proposed Rule 70 replacement language into a single, cleaned text block.

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

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