Idaho Law

Idaho residents are subject to Idaho state and U.S. federal laws. Federal laws apply in Idaho as they do across all 50 states. In addition to the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the U.S., federal laws include statutes that are periodically codified in the U.S. Code. Federal laws also include decisions by courts that interpret federal laws. Finally, federal laws include regulations issued by federal administrative agencies to implement federal laws. You can explore federal laws and related resources by visiting the federal law section of the Justia site.

The state of Idaho also has its own state laws. Idaho state laws include the Idaho Constitution, laws passed by the Idaho legislature and periodically codified in the Idaho Statutes, and decisions by courts that interpret Idaho laws.

Ratified in 1889, the Idaho Constitution was approved a year later when Idaho became a state. It contains 21 articles and over 100 amendments, but it has never been substantially revised since its creation. Article XX of the Idaho Constitution provides the two paths to amending the document. First, an amendment may arise from a proposal in either chamber of the Idaho State Legislature. The proposed amendment will appear on a ballot if two-thirds of each chamber of the legislature votes in its favor. Alternatively, an amendment may result from a constitutional convention, which will be proposed on a ballot if two-thirds of each chamber votes in its favor.

The Idaho Statutes contain the laws passed by the Idaho legislature. These laws and the provisions of the Idaho Constitution are often interpreted by the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals. The federal Idaho District Court also issues decisions that may affect Idaho residents. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals holds the authority to review decisions by the Idaho District Court. Sometimes the U.S. Supreme Court may review a case that has been appealed from the Ninth Circuit or from the Idaho Supreme Court.