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H 320

TRANSPARENCY IN LEGISLATIVE TRAVEL – Adds to existing law to require legislative candidates, legislators, and members-elect of the Legislature to report certain travel paid by others.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Requires Idaho legislators and candidates to report travel paid by others outside Idaho for legislative purposes, with details and penalties for late filing.

Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
#government #legislature #records #reports #secretaryofstate
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Bill Summary · H 320

Summary of Idaho House Bill 320 (H 320)

Overview

H 320, introduced February 24, 2025, amends Title 74 of the Idaho Code to create a new Chapter 7, “Transparency in Legislative Travel.” The bill would require certain travels paid by others, outside of Idaho and related to legislative or governmental purposes, to be disclosed to the Secretary of State (SOS). It includes a reporting window and a penalty for noncompliance, and it contains an emergency clause making the act effective July 1, 2025.

Key Provisions

  • Intent (74-701): Establishes the purpose of the chapter: to promote public confidence and transparency by requiring elected legislators and candidates for legislative office to report travel paid by others.

  • Who must report (74-702(1)): Requires:

    • All legislative candidates who will appear on a general election ballot,
    • Members of the Idaho Legislature,
    • Members-elect who prevailed in their race, to report travel outside of Idaho that is reasonably related to a legislative/governmental purpose or to public policy at state, national, or international levels, if such travel is paid by another person or entity.
    • Exclusions: Travel funded by campaign funds (as reported under Idaho Code ch. 66, title 67) or travel paid solely with personal funds is not subject to these requirements.

  • Reporting content and deadline (74-702(2)): For each report, within 30 days of the travel, submit to the SOS:

    • Travel destination and dates,
    • Purpose of travel,
    • Cost of travel,
    • Name and address of the payer, and whether the travel was a campaign contribution and whether the travel occurred in the member’s official capacity.

  • Penalties for late filing (74-702(3)): A late fee of $25 per day applies until the report is filed; fees are deposited to the Public School Income Fund.

  • Effective date and emergency clause (Section 2): Declares an emergency and makes the act effective on July 1, 2025.

Fiscal Note

  • The Secretary of State’s Office estimates a one-time cost of $10,000 to add a filing portal to the SOS reporting system.

Administrative and Legislative Status

  • Introduced: February 24, 2025.
  • Reported/Printed and Referred: February 25, 2025 to State Affairs.
  • Format: Adds Chapter 7 to Title 74, Idaho Code.

Affected Parties

  • Legislative candidates, current legislators, and members-elect.
  • Travelers (and their payers) who travel outside Idaho for legislative/governmental purposes.
  • Secretary of State’s Office (administration of the filing portal and reports).

Potential Impact

  • Increased transparency around externally funded travel related to legislative activity.
  • Administrative costs to SOS for implementing a filing portal.
  • Possible influence on travel planning and disclosure practices for candidates and lawmakers.

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

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