Bill Description: House Bill 603 would revise and expand definitions relative to the state’s ban on camping on state-owned land. 

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NOTE: House Bill 603 contains some of the same provisions as House Bill 523 (2026) regarding the state’s ban on camping, but does not include the objectionable elements related to banning people from the Capitol and Supreme Court buildings. 

Does it directly or indirectly create or increase penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes? Conversely, does it eliminate or decrease penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes?

House Bill 603 would amend Section 67-1613, Idaho Code, to revise and expand definitions relative to the state’s ban on camping “on or in any state-owned or leased property or facility.” These changes are primarily clarifying in nature and do not substantively change the scope of the existing prohibitions. A violation would remain an infraction.

The bill clarifies that the camping ban does not refer to “erecting a temporary side-free canopy or other similar cover without side walls to stay dry during periods of rain or snow” that is not used for camping. 

The bill would also amend Section 67-1613A, Idaho Code, to clarify that the state would handle “any property on state property in violation of an Idaho statute or administrative rule” in the same manner as it handles “property remaining after issuance of a citation” and “property left unattended”.

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