The Idaho House of Representatives on March 25 passed House Bill 3 98, a transparency measure that tightens reporting requirements for registered lobbyists and adds new disclosure duties for certain public communications.

Sponsor and debate context: The bill’s sponsor, the representative from District 10, told colleagues the measure reorganizes and clarifies Idaho’s sunshine laws so ordinary citizens can more easily understand who is attempting to influence legislation. “The definition is clear that it’s now…indirect contacts and attempts to influence legislation by attempting to affect the opinion of the public with respect to legislation and encouraging the audience to take action,” the representative from District 10 said, reading language included in the bill.

Why it matters: The bill requires monthly reporting by all registered lobbyists year-round (reports due on the 15th of each month), establishes a 48-hour reporting threshold for indirect lobbying expenditures of $100 or more paid by a lobbyist, and requires that paid-for public communications by lobbyists or organizations include a paid-for statement. The measure explicitly brings state entities, including state universities, within the reporting rules when they engage in lobbying activity.

Key points from debate: Critics, including the representative from District 24 and the representative from District 26, said the bill’s broad definition of “indirect lobbying” could sweep in grassroots activity and church groups and raise free-speech and enforcement concerns. “There’s an old saying: zeal without knowledge is dangerous,” the representative from District 24 said, urging colleagues to slow down and refine the bill. Supporters said exemptions are included for internal communications of homeowner associations and churches and argued the changes are needed after high-cost, undisclosed independent expenditures in recent races.

Vote and next steps: The House voted 54 ayes, 14 nays, 2 absent/excused to pass the bill; earlier, the chamber approved suspension of rules to take up the measure immediately by a vote of 60 ayes, 2 nays, 8 absent/excused. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

What the bill says (selected clarifications): The bill defines indirect lobbying to include emails, text messages, direct messaging, billboards, door-to-door, TV, radio, online ads, and social media when paid for and intended to influence legislation; it requires a 48-hour disclosure for indirect lobbying expenditures of $100 or more and monthly reports from registered lobbyists year-round; it requires paid-for disclosure language on communications by registered lobbyists and makes state entities subject to reporting when they lobby.

Outlook: Passage in the House moves the measure to the Senate. Opponents flagged implementation and enforcement challenges and urged refinement; backers said the added transparency will make lobbying activity visible to the public.