House approves bill requiring state agencies to report obsolete or outdated code sections by Sept. 1, 2025

The Idaho House passed House Bill 14 unanimously on third reading, with the roll showing 68 ayes, 0 nays and 2 members absent or excused. The bill requires state agencies to submit a report by Sept. 1, 2025 listing statutes and code sections each agency considers obsolete, unnecessary or outdated; the reports will be posted to a Legislative Services Office portal.

Sponsor remarks: Representative (District 16), the bill's sponsor, said the measure will compile agency-identified candidates for repeal or revision and provide lawmakers a centralized list before the next legislative session. "This is going to require that state agencies on or before 09/01/2025 give us a report of all statutes or code sections that are considered obsolete, or unnecessary, or outdated," the sponsor said on the floor.

Why it matters: the requirement is intended to help lawmakers and staff prioritize clean-up legislation and improve statutory clarity. The bill's sponsor noted the report will not itself repeal statutes; it creates a tool to guide potential future repeal or amendment during the legislative process.

Vote and next steps: The House recorded 68 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent/excused on final passage; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate. The sponsor told members the reports would be available on an LSO portal so members can review agency recommendations ahead of the next session.

Clarifying details: The deadline for agency submissions is Sept. 1, 2025. The bill establishes the reporting requirement and a public posting mechanism; any actual repeal or revision of code sections would require separate legislation.

Background: Lawmakers in several states periodically mandate statutory clean-up reviews to surface obsolete provisions and prioritize housekeeping legislation. HB 14 formalizes that review process for Idaho state agencies and centralizes agency input for the Legislature and staff ahead of future sessions.