Watchdogs on Short Leashes

In Your State - Idaho

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2001 — The Center interviewed ethics agency officials, scoured ethics agency Web sites and combed through pages of state statutes to conduct this survey of state ethics agencies. Below is a snapshot of answers for this state. See how this state ethics agency compares on staff and budget, oversight and enforcement power, among other topics surveyed. Find out what other type of ethics oversight this state has. Go to the methodology for an explanation of how the survey was conducted and what exact questions were asked.

Oversight Summary
Oversight Survey

Idaho is one of 27 states in which no outside agency oversees ethical conduct of state legislators. It is one of 8 of those states where any outside oversight for members of the legislature is lumped in with the responsibilities of the secretary of state or attorney general.

More Info

What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?
 None.

If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?
 No.

Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?
 Yes. Idaho Statutes Title 59, Chapter 7, "Ethics in Government" applies to legislators. Also, Idaho Statutes s.18-1351 et seq., dealing with bribery, and ss.67-5726 and 59-201, dealing with government contracts, apply to legislators.
http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/59007KTOC.html
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=180130051.K
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=670570026.K
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=590020001.K

When were the ethics statutes enacted?
 1990

Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?
 No disclosure required. See Info Resources.

Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?
 Idaho Secretary of State, Election Division
http://www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/finance.htm

Where are lobbying disclosures filed?
 Idaho Secretary of State, Election Division
http://www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/lobbyist/lobinfo.htm

Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws' "Ethics Update" 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.