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Signed Into Law
Idaho Legislature · 2026 Session · Ethics / Government
✅ Signed Into Law

H 686 — Employment of Relatives — Nepotism Exemption

Amends bribery and corruption law to provide an exemption for employment of certain relatives in government settings. Delivered to Governor March 18, 2026. Voters should know their legislators created a carve-out to existing anti-nepotism law.

Last Action: Mar 18, 2026 — Delivered to Governor Sponsor: Judiciary, Rules & Administration · Rep. Josh Wheeler Topic: Ethics / Government
⚠ Voters Should Know This Bill Exists
H 686 amends Idaho's existing anti-nepotism law to create an exemption for certain family employment situations. The Idaho Ledger believes voters should understand what exemptions their legislature has created to ethics laws — regardless of the stated justification.
What H 686 Does

House Bill 686 amends Idaho's existing law on bribery and corruption — specifically the provision regarding employment of relatives in government — to provide a new exemption for "employment of certain relatives."

The specifics of which relatives and which situations are exempted are in the bill text. The Idaho Ledger tracks this because exemptions to anti-nepotism and ethics laws deserve public scrutiny.

Sponsor: Rep. Josh Wheeler (R-District 35). Delivered to Governor March 18, 2026.

✅ Signed Into Law
Signed by Gov. Brad Little — March 19, 2026
H 686 has passed both chambers and been delivered to Governor Brad Little. The governor has 5 days (excluding Sundays) while the legislature is in session to sign or veto. If he takes no action, the bill becomes law.
✅ Sign → Becomes law
❌ Veto → Returns to legislature
⏳ No action → Becomes law after 5 days
Contact the Governor: gov.idaho.gov/contact  ·  Phone: (208) 334-2100
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