Idaho House approves journal, designates temporary substitute for District 17 and holds HB 493 by unanimous consent

BOISE — The Idaho House of Representatives convened Jan. 28, 2026, approved the House Journal of the sixteenth legislative day and moved a slate of bills into committee referrals, the chamber’s clerk and committee representatives reported.

The House began with an invocation by Chaplain Tom Borty and the Pledge of Allegiance led by House page Ethan Cowell of Bonners Ferry High School. Clerk and chamber officers recorded 68 members present and two excused.

The Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee reported that it had read and approved the House Journal of the sixteenth legislative day and recommended adoption "as corrected." The motion to adopt the journal was moved (noted in the record as moved by Skogg and seconded by Gannon) and adopted by voice vote when members answered "aye."

The clerk read a letter dated Jan. 26, 2026, from Megan Egbert designating Guillermo Sarriera as a qualified substitute for Legislative District 17, Seat B, effective Jan. 28, 2026, through Jan. 30, 2026. The clerk reported that the letter had been filed with the chief clerk’s office and that the oath had been previously administered.

The House introduced a series of bills for first reading and referral. Among those announced were House Bill 540 (amending the Public Records Act to exempt certain juvenile corrections records and making technical corrections), HB 541 (revising a provision regarding enticing a child through internet use), HB 542 (the "Stop Harms From Addictive Social Media Act," establishing age estimation and limits for accounts for children), HB 543 (changes to the public employee retirement system), HB 544 (military leave provisions), HB 546 (restroom access legislation), HB 548 (Idaho Safe Boating Act changes), HB 549 (hospital district petition provisions), HB 550 (midwifery scope and rule changes), and HB 551 (revisions to taxation assessment provisions). The chamber referred multiple bills to the Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee for printing and further action.

A lawmaker requested unanimous consent to hold House Bill 493 on the third‑reading calendar for one legislative day while the sponsor works with an affected stakeholder; no objection was raised and the request was granted.

Members used the announcements period to introduce guests in the gallery and to publicize upcoming committee meetings. Clerks announced committee meeting times and rooms for the coming days, including Agriculture, Environment/Energy/Technology, Local Government, Transportation & Defense, Education, Health and Welfare, Revenue and Taxation, and State Affairs committees.

Before adjourning, a member moved that the House reconvene at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Adoption of House Journal (sixteenth legislative day): motion moved (record: "moved by Skogg, seconded by Gannon"); voice vote in favor; outcome — approved (voice vote). - Unanimous consent to hold HB 493 on the third‑reading calendar for one legislative day: request made and no objection heard; outcome — held by unanimous consent. - Adjournment to 11 a.m., Jan. 29, 2026: motion moved and seconded; voice vote in favor; outcome — approved.

What’s next Committee hearings on the bills announced were scheduled for Jan. 28–29 in the rooms and at the times read into the record; specific bill hearings and calendars will be set by the committees and posted by the chief clerk.

(Attributions in this report use names and roles as they appear in the House record or as introduced on the floor. Quotations and actions are drawn from the House transcript of Jan. 28, 2026.)