Idaho’s 2026 Session Produced the Most Laws in Five Years
Idaho’s 350 new laws from the 2026 legislative session represent the highest single-session output in five years, according to the legislature’s Sine Die report. The majority take effect July 1, 2026, covering criminal justice, gender access rules, education funding restrictions, and child protection.
350 new Idaho laws passed in the 2026 session, the most in five years per the legislative Sine Die report
That volume of legislation gives Republican-controlled state government sweeping new authority over daily life, from who can use which bathroom to how teachers can collect dues.
Firing Squad Becomes Idaho’s Primary Execution Method
House Bill 37, passed in 2025, makes the firing squad Idaho’s default execution method, replacing lethal injection. The legislature delayed implementation until July 1, 2026, to give the state time to prepare.
A companion law, House Bill 803, keeps the identities of firing squad members permanently confidential. Idaho becomes one of a small number of states to designate the firing squad as the primary method, not merely a backup option.
Bathroom Bill Partially Blocked, Still Applies to Changing Rooms
House Bill 752 prohibits people from using bathrooms or changing facilities that do not match their biological sex. It applies to public venues and private businesses alike.
A judge partially blocked enforcement, but the law remains in force for changing rooms and multi-stall bathrooms where a single-user bathroom is available. Transgender Idahoans face real legal exposure in a wide range of facilities starting today.
Child Sex Crime Prosecutions Now Have No Time Limit
House Bill 681 removes the statute of limitations for aggravated lewd conduct with a child and for producing or making sexually exploitative material of a child. Prosecutors can now file charges at any point after the crime occurred, regardless of how many years have passed.
House Bill 696 expands the definition of prohibited sexual contact between correctional workers and incarcerated people. The law followed InvestigateWest reporting that found Idaho prison workers accused of sexually abusing incarcerated women were rarely charged criminally.
Teacher Unions Lose Payroll Access
House Bill 516 bars teachers unions from using school district payroll systems to collect dues. Unions can no longer hold certain meetings on district time or property using public resources. The law is part of a national pattern of Republican-controlled legislatures moving to weaken public-sector union infrastructure.
What You Can Do Now
- Call your Idaho state senator and representative at (208) 332-1000 and ask them to sponsor a repeal or amendment of House Bill 752. Specify that you want full bathroom access protections restored, not just the blocked portion.
- Contact the ACLU of Idaho at acluidaho.org to report incidents of enforcement under HB 752 or request legal guidance. The organization is tracking enforcement of the partially blocked law.
- Call Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office at (208) 334-2100 and urge him to oppose any future legislation expanding the firing squad’s use or restricting transgender Idahoans’ access to public spaces.
- Contact your local school board and ask how HB 516 will affect your district’s labor relations before the 2026-2027 school year begins. Most boards hold public comment periods at monthly meetings.
Sources
Idaho Capital Sun: New Idaho Laws Taking Effect July 1, 2026 InvestigateWest: Idaho Prison Workers Rarely Charged for Sexual Abuse of Inmates Idaho Legislature: 2026 Session Sine Die Report ACLU of Idaho: HB 752 Bathroom Bill Partial Block