Bill Description: House Bill 894 would clarify that individuals have the right to record most public meetings, but allow a governing body to take measures to ensure the orderly conduct of its meetings.
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NOTE: House Bill 894 is similar to House Bill 627 (2026), but includes some exceptions not present in the earlier bill.
Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?
House Bill 894 would amend Section 74-203, Idaho Code, which deals with the requirements for open public meetings. The bill would add a new subsection that says, in part, “Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no person attending open public meetings shall be prevented or prohibited from recording such meetings. For purposes of this subsection, “recording” means the capturing of audio, video, or photographs by electronic, digital, or other means.”
It would also say, “A governing body may take measures to ensure the orderly conduct of its open public meetings but shall not prohibit or unreasonably restrict recording as provided under this subsection. No person shall be removed or excluded from meetings for recording pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.”
The bill would include a list of exceptions including:
- Executive sessions;
- Any meetings or hearings in a facility owned or operated by the Idaho department of correction;
- Any meetings or hearings in a facility owned or operated by the Idaho department of juvenile corrections; or
- Any meetings or hearings conducted by the Idaho commission of pardons and parole.
Allowing the recording (and, by extension, the sharing of recordings) of public meetings provides increased transparency to the public regarding government’s actions.
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