Rating: +1

Bill Summary:
H0148 creates a new Section 67-6303 in Idaho Code to allow Idaho citizens involved in legal disputes with the federal government over grazing or water rights to petition the state for legal assistance. Upon written request to the Constitutional Defense Council, the state may choose to:

• Provide funding for private legal counsel from the Constitutional Defense Fund
• Reimburse denied legal fees after a failed request for court-awarded costs
• Have the Idaho Attorney General represent the petitioner
• Intervene in the legal action on behalf of the state

The council must respond to petitions within 30 days, using criteria that weigh the public interest, the impact on Idaho sovereignty, and the availability of state resources. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Reason for Rating:
H0148 directly supports the Idaho Republican Party Platform by defending state sovereignty, promoting individual property rights, and pushing back against federal overreach, especially on issues like water access and grazing permits—core concerns for Idaho’s agricultural and rural communities. The bill gives the state a mechanism to stand alongside its citizens in high-stakes legal conflicts without growing government bureaucracy. It reflects limited, responsive governance, protection of individual liberty, and the use of existing funds to defend constitutional boundaries.