Idaho Capitol Watch
HB 501: BALLOT MEASURES – Amends existing law to require signature gatherers to be qualified electors and to require paid signature gatherers to provide the name of the persons or entities that are paying them on their badge.
This bill amends Idaho law to require that all petition signature gatherers for initiatives and referendums be qualified electors. Paid gatherers must verbally disclose to signers that they are paid and name their payer, print this information on each petition page, and wear a visible badge stating they are a paid circulator along with the payer names. The Secretary of State must issue rules on formatting. The bill passed the House unanimously and has been transmitted to the Senate.
Status
Transmitted to Senate (February 19, 2026) · Originated in the Idaho House · Introduced January 20, 2026
Sponsors
- STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Committees
- JRA for Printing
Bill history
- January 20, 2026 — House: Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
- January 21, 2026 — House: Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
- February 16, 2026 — House: Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading (do_pass)
- February 17, 2026 — House: Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
- February 18, 2026 — House: Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 65-0-5AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, (passed)
- February 19, 2026 — Senate: Received from the House passed; filed for first reading (passed)
- February 19, 2026 — Senate: Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
If this preview does not update automatically, use the full page link.