Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0799 – Idaho Alcoholic Beverage Code Cleanup Repeal
Bill Summary
House Bill 799 repeals three sections of Idaho’s alcoholic beverage statutes identified as obsolete under the Idaho Code Cleanup Act: Section 23-103 (prior offenses and rights not affected), Section 23-215 (price lists to be furnished by sellers), and Section 23-216 (attorney or agent of sellers). The Legislature declares these provisions unnecessary and directs their removal effective July 1, 2026, under an emergency clause.
The repeal of Sections 23-215 and 23-216 eliminates requirements that alcoholic beverage sellers furnish price lists and maintain registered attorneys or agents, removing administrative compliance burdens from businesses operating in Idaho’s alcohol market. Section 23-103, which addressed prior offenses and preserved certain rights, is likewise removed as the Legislature determined it no longer serves a functional purpose in current law.
The bill is framed explicitly as a housekeeping measure under the Idaho Code Cleanup Act, with the Legislature stating its intent to ensure state statutes remain streamlined, up-to-date, and essential to public health, safety, and welfare.
Overall Assessment
This bill removes three outdated provisions from Idaho’s alcoholic beverage statutes, with the most tangible effect being the elimination of regulatory requirements on alcohol sellers — specifically the obligation to furnish price lists and maintain attorneys or agents of record. Alcoholic beverage businesses in Idaho benefit directly from reduced administrative compliance obligations. The Legislature’s deliberate exercise of statutory review and repeal of dead-letter law also reflects sound government housekeeping practice.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill is a statutory housekeeping measure that removes obsolete code provisions and does not alter government accountability, transparency, or the structure of responsible governance in any meaningful way. It neither strengthens nor weakens principles of responsible government. A score of 0 reflects its neutral impact on this metric.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
House Bill 799 does not affect citizen participation, public comment processes, or any mechanism by which Idahoans engage with their government. The repeal of obsolete alcoholic beverage statutes has no bearing on civic involvement or public access to government. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
This bill has no connection to education policy, funding, curriculum, or institutions in Idaho. The removal of outdated alcoholic beverage code sections does not impact educational outcomes or systems in any way. A score of 0 reflects the complete absence of educational relevance.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill repeals administrative provisions related to alcoholic beverage sellers and has no bearing on agricultural policy, farming operations, or Idaho's agricultural economy. No agricultural interests are advanced or diminished by this legislation. A score of 0 is warranted.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
House Bill 799 contains no provisions related to water rights, water quality, irrigation, or any other water-related policy. The repeal of obsolete alcohol statutes has no impact on Idaho's water resources or water law. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This bill does not address natural resources, environmental regulation, land use, or conservation in any form. The removal of outdated alcoholic beverage code sections has no environmental implications whatsoever. A score of 0 reflects this complete lack of relevance.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
House Bill 799 has no connection to energy policy, energy production, utilities, or energy regulation in Idaho. The bill's subject matter is entirely confined to obsolete alcoholic beverage statutes. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This bill does not reference or affect the Idaho National Laboratories, nuclear energy research, or related federal-state partnerships. Its scope is limited to repealing outdated alcohol code provisions. A score of 0 is warranted.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
While the bill removes administrative burdens on alcohol sellers, it does not substantively address private property rights, takings, or property-related legal protections. The elimination of obsolete compliance requirements does not constitute a meaningful advancement of property rights principles. A score of 0 reflects the absence of significant impact on this metric.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
House Bill 799 does not involve state or federal land management, public land access, or land transfer policies. The repeal of obsolete alcoholic beverage statutes has no bearing on land-related issues. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
This bill has no connection to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, or related conservation policies in Idaho. The removal of outdated alcohol code provisions does not affect wildlife resources or their management. A score of 0 is warranted.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
Although the bill removes minor administrative compliance requirements from alcoholic beverage sellers, the practical economic effect is negligible given the obsolete nature of the repealed provisions. The bill does not substantively advance or hinder Idaho's broader economic interests, business climate, or fiscal policy. A score of 0 reflects the absence of meaningful economic impact.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
While the bill touches on alcoholic beverage statutes, it removes only obsolete administrative provisions and does not alter substantive health regulations, public health protections, or welfare policy. The repeal of dead-letter law has no practical effect on public health or welfare outcomes. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
House Bill 799 does not address family policy, parental rights, marriage, or any issue directly affecting the American family. The removal of obsolete alcohol code provisions has no bearing on family-related policy considerations. A score of 0 is warranted.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill has no provisions related to the elderly, senior services, retirement, or policies specifically affecting older Idahoans. The repeal of outdated alcoholic beverage statutes does not impact this demographic in any meaningful way. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill removes obsolete provisions from Idaho's alcoholic beverage statutes but does not alter criminal law, law enforcement authority, judicial processes, or public safety policy in any substantive way. The repeal of dead-letter administrative requirements has no meaningful impact on law and order. A score of 0 reflects this neutral effect.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
House Bill 799 has no connection to national defense, military affairs, immigration, or border security. Its scope is entirely limited to repealing obsolete sections of Idaho's alcoholic beverage code. A score of 0 is appropriate.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill does not address judicial elections, the selection or retention of judges, or the composition of Idaho's courts. The removal of outdated alcohol statutes has no bearing on the judiciary or judicial selection processes. A score of 0 is warranted.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
House Bill 799 contains no provisions related to religious liberty, freedom of conscience, or the relationship between government and religious institutions. The repeal of obsolete alcoholic beverage code sections has no impact on religious freedom in Idaho. A score of 0 is appropriate.