Adds to existing law to require state websites to contain certain rule and policy documents and a certain statement.
Summary
House Bill 222 requires Idaho state departments, executive-branch sub-entities, and constitutional officers that maintain websites to post any administrative rules or policies they have promulgated on those websites. The bill also requires those websites to display a standard notice stating that agency policy statements and guidance documents do not have the force and effect of law under Idaho Code section 67-5207A. The posted materials must be reviewed and updated at least annually to remain current and accurate.
The bill is aimed at improving public access to agency rules and policies and clarifying the legal status of agency guidance. It applies to state departments identified in Idaho Code, including divisions, bureaus, sections, commissions, and constitutional officers, but only if they maintain a website. The measure includes an emergency clause, making it effective July 1, 2025.
Impact
H0222 amends Title 67 of the Idaho Code by adding a new section requiring online publication of agency rules and policies and a disclaimer about the nonbinding nature of policy statements and guidance documents. It affects executive-branch state agencies and constitutional officers with websites by imposing an ongoing website-content and annual-review obligation, but it does not create new substantive regulatory authority or change the force of existing rules. The bill is primarily an administrative transparency measure and a statutory clarification of the legal status of agency guidance.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the House passed the bill 69-0 and the Senate passed it 33-0. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably as a transparency and public-information measure rather than a controversial policy change. The emergency clause and effective date indicate an intent to implement the website requirements promptly.
Contention
No notable contention is reflected in the available materials. Because there are no committee transcripts and both chambers approved the bill unanimously, there is no evidence of disagreement over the requirement to post rules and policies or over the disclaimer that agency guidance lacks the force of law. Any potential concern would likely relate to administrative workload or website maintenance for agencies, but such objections are not documented in the provided record.