Idaho House approves bill making firing squad primary execution method

The Idaho House of Representatives passed House Bill 37 on Feb. 6 to make the firing squad the primary method of execution for inmates sentenced to death.

Proponents said the change would reduce failed lethal-injection attempts and related appellate litigation; opponents raised fiscal and humane concerns. The bill passed on a recorded voice/machine vote after floor debate.

Representative (sponsor) from 10, the bill's floor sponsor, said the measure does not change whether Idaho has a death penalty but would make the firing squad “a more humane way to execute those on death row because it is quick, it is certain.” He said the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) already has policy and procedures for a firing-squad option, that the department would remodel an existing facility at an estimated cost of about $750,000, and that no new JFAC appropriation was expected because the department would reallocate existing funds.

A Representative from 17 opposed the bill, citing recent successful lethal-injection executions in other states and questioning the projected cost. “Now, we're learning that it's going to cost well over a million dollars for this firing squad facility in Idaho,” he said, adding he did not understand why the state would build an expensive facility when injection has been used successfully elsewhere.

Another Representative from 15 raised an objection on humane grounds, saying, “The prospect of potentially executing a woman who has an abortion by firing squad is not my definition of humane.” The sponsor replied that the previous lethal-injection attempt in Idaho had failed and said that concern over injections motivated the change.

The sponsor also described procedural details he said had been discussed with IDOC, including a mechanized system for discharging rifles rather than a traditional human lineup.

On the vote, the clerk recorded 58 ayes and 11 nays; the presiding officer announced that a majority had voted in favor and that House Bill 37 had passed the House. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 37 — Passed; recorded vote announced as 58 ayes, 11 nays. (Clerk recorded the machine vote on Feb. 6.)

Next steps: The bill will be sent to the Idaho Senate for consideration; the sponsor indicated an effective date provision would make the law effective July 2026 to allow time for facility work.

Context: House floor debate and roll-call were held during the House’s third reading order of business on Feb. 6, 2025. The transcript shows extended debate on both fiscal implications and humane standards; no amendment on the floor was recorded.