House approves bill clarifying use of consent calendars for city and board procedures

The Idaho House of Representatives passed House Bill 172 on Feb. 13, 2025, to clarify rules for using consent calendars in cities and governing boards. The measure passed on the House floor; the clerk recorded 67 ayes and 3 members absent (excused) in favor of the bill.

The bill’s sponsor said the legislation "codifies the language" around what a consent calendar is and provides a consistent rule set for cities and boards that lack clarifying procedures. "A consent calendar...is the ability to put multiple items, and it's usually routine items, into one motion and pass them easily," the sponsor said, explaining that the bill would make that process consistent across jurisdictions that currently lack rules.

During floor debate a member recounted personal experience on a city council where an item that should have been removed from a consent calendar was not. "What I appreciate about what the good lady has done is we're clarifying that consent means consent. And if there's ... disputation on one of the items, you just pull it," the supporter said.

Another representative argued the bill exposed a broader issue: some cities operate without standard rules of procedure and the state may need to examine minimum procedural standards for governing bodies. He said the absence of standard rules can reduce transparency if substantive items are placed on a consent calendar, and urged colleagues to pass the bill and consider broader review of local procedures.

After debate closed the clerk unlocked the voting machine, members voted, and the clerk recorded "67 i's, 3 absent excused," and the speaker declared House Bill 172 passed. The approved bill will be transmitted to the Senate.