CONSTITUTIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding assistance to political subdivisions for the defense of state law.
Idaho's S 1125 creates a "Constitutional Defense Council" to provide legal assistance to local governments (like cities and counties) facing lawsuits challenging state laws. Local governments can request state help - such as funding for private lawyers, reimbursement for legal costs, or involvement by the state attorney general - by submitting detailed written requests to the Council. The Council will decide whether to grant assistance based on public interest, available resources, and whether the case protects Idaho's sovereignty. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and passed the Idaho House unanimously on April 2, 2025.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025
Last action Apr 2, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 2, 2025
How they voted
29–5
Passed
Total votes 34
Apr 2, 2025
D
Democratic5
100% Nay
R
Republican29
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read third time in full – PASSED - 29-6-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Coho(Lenney), Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, VanOrden, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woller(Rabe)Absent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - ForemanTitle apvd - to House
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to State Affairs
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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