Bill > H0625

This bill amends Idaho's Public Records Act to provide a new process for individuals who believe their request for public records has been improperly denied or that the charges for disclosure are unfair. Specifically, a person aggrieved by such a denial or charge can now file a complaint in magistrate court within ninety days of the agency's response, initiating a mandamus action, which is a court order compelling an action. This complaint must include the original request, the agency's response, all related communications, and the legal reason for contesting the denial, along with a $100 filing fee. The bill also revises existing provisions regarding appeals of disclosure denials, allowing for a judicial decision in an initial public records complaint to be a trigger for the appeal period, and it corrects a code reference in another section related to environmental records and trade secrets. The bill declares an emergency and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

Local Government Committee (H)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0625/