Idaho Legislators Couldn't Also Hold Elected City, School Or Highway District Office Under New Bill

By Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Capital Sun

February 7, 2024

Idahoans elected to state or federal offices — including the Idaho Legislature — would not be allowed to simultaneously serve in elected city, school or highway district positions under a new bill state lawmakers introduced Wednesday.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, would vacate local elected positions if local officials administer oaths of office for federal, statewide or Idaho legislative positions. The proposed law would take effect Jan. 1, 2025 if passed.

Several legislators have served in local offices while in the Legislature.

For example, Rep. Rick Cheatum, R-Pocatello, also serves on Pocatello City Council. Rep. Chris Allgood, R-Caldwell, serves as a city councilor.

Rep. Colin Nash, D-Boise, has a substitute in the Legislature this session while he serves on Boise City Council. Nash recently told the Idaho Capital Sun he expects to resign near the end of the legislative session.

Former Rep. Thyra Stevenson, a Lewiston Republican who died in 2020, served as a city councilor while in the Legislature. Former Sen. Dan Johnson, a Republican, served as mayor of Lewiston while in the Legislature.

Wednesday’s hearing was only an introductory hearing, which does not include public testimony. Introducing the new bill clears the way for it to return to the committee for a full public hearing.

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