H05182026 Regular Session✓ Signed into law

Amends existing law to provide that the Attorney General shall have certain authority.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING -- Amends existing law to provide that the Attorney General shall have certain authority.

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

▶ Show statement of purpose

This legislation allows law enforcement to submit their investigative findings of human trafficking to the office of the attorney general, who may, in his sole discretion, prosecute any crimes identified in the investigation. As human trafficking crimes are often highly complex and intercounty and interstate in activity, the attorney general’s office may be best able to investigate and prosecute said cases, in certain situations.

FISCAL NOTE

▶ Show fiscal note

This legislation causes no increase or decrease in revenue, or additional expenditure of funds at the state or local level of government; therefore, this legislation has no fiscal impact. In 2026, the impact of this legislation will be minimal on the office of attorney general. It is likely that there will be a funding request for an expert full time attorney in 2027.

BILL TEXT

▶ Show full bill text

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE BILL NO. 518 BY JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AMENDING SECTION 18-8605, IDAHO CODE, TO2 PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL HAVE CERTAIN AUTHORITY; AND3 DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.4

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:5

SECTION 1. That Section 18-8605, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby6 amended to read as follows:7 18-8605. AUTHORITY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. (1) The attorney general8 shall employ such attorneys, investigators, and other personnel as neces-9 sary to carry out the following responsibilities using funds allocated to10 the office of the attorney general for such purpose:11 (1) (a) To issue, by January 1 of each even-numbered year, a report12 outlining the status of the state's efforts to combat human trafficking13 and recommending next steps one (1) or more bodies of state government14 should take to eradicate human trafficking in Idaho;15 (2) (b) To compile and maintain curriculum for the training of prosecu-16 tors, law enforcement, victim advocates, and the public on identifying,17 investigating, and prosecuting human trafficking; and18 (3) (c) To assist, upon request, county prosecuting attorneys and other19 law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of human20 trafficking.21 (2) Any state or local law enforcement agency may submit the findings22 of a human trafficking investigation to the attorney general, who shall have23 authority, in his sole discretion, to investigate and prosecute human traf-24 ficking under this act.25

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby26 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after its27 passage and approval.28