Idaho House Considers Making Ethics Investigations Against Lawmakers Secret

Proposed rule change would prevent public access to ethics hearings and testimony.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:50pm

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The Idaho House is set to consider a proposal that would make ethics investigations against sitting lawmakers secret. Currently, ethics complaints are made public after a preliminary review, but the new rule would keep the process confidential unless the ethics committee unanimously votes to release information. The proposal has raised concerns about transparency and public trust in government.

Why it matters

This proposed rule change would limit public access to information about potential misconduct by elected officials, which could undermine government accountability and erode public trust. Transparency in ethics investigations is important for maintaining faith in the political process.

The details

Under the proposed House Resolution 27, information related to the ethics committee's work would be secret unless the committee votes unanimously to release it. The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Vito Barbieri, who has previously defended a former lawmaker accused of sexual assault. The proposal would also prevent lawmakers under investigation from being represented by attorneys during hearings.

  • The Idaho House is set to consider the rule change.
  • Nearly five years ago, the House Ethics Committee conducted public hearings against former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, who was later convicted of rape.

The players

House Resolution 27

A proposed rule change that would make ethics investigations against sitting lawmakers secret.

Rep. Vito Barbieri

A Republican member of the Idaho House Ethics Committee who is sponsoring the resolution to make ethics hearings secret.

Rep. Chris Mathias

A Boise Democrat who said the public wants more transparency in the ethics process.

Rep. John Shirts

A Republican from Weiser and an attorney who expressed concerns about subjecting lawmakers to potential perjury without legal representation.

Ken Burgess

Idaho Press Club lobbyist who testified against the bill, arguing that journalists need access to ethics hearings to provide fair and balanced reporting to the public.

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What they’re saying

“The idea here is to look at this and protect the individual that is being accused until the time that the committee makes the determination that there should be some disciplinary action.”

— Rep. Vito Barbieri, Member of the House Ethics Committee

“The Idaho public is going to look at us and say: 'Why are they trying to protect themselves so much?'”

— Rep. Chris Mathias, Boise Democrat

“I cannot, in good conscience, subject our members, you all, my friends, to potential perjury, without representation of counsel.”

— Rep. John Shirts, Republican from Weiser and attorney

“The current ethics process allows for witnesses and testimony, so the public has the same facts as the Ethics Committee has. That doesn't happen in a House floor debate after the fact. Fair and balanced reporting happens when reporters have all the relevant information. If you put this process behind closed doors, it only furthers the increasing distrust the public has in government institutions.”

— Ken Burgess, Idaho Press Club lobbyist

What’s next

The Idaho House is set to consider the proposed rule change in the coming days.

The takeaway

This proposal to make ethics investigations against lawmakers secret raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in government. Limiting public access to information about potential misconduct by elected officials could further erode public trust in the political process.