This is not in any way lessening due process for those who are convicted and are facing the death penalty,” said Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, the bill’s lead sponsor.

Idaho House lawmakers quickly – and relatively quietly – adopted a bill making the firing squad the state’s primary execution method.

The Idaho Department of Corrections is taking steps to reconfigure a portion of the state's largest prison to prepare to execute inmates by firing squad.

House lawmakers will soon decide whether to ditch lethal injection as the state’s primary execution method in favor of the firing squad.

The House Judiciary and Rules Committee voted on party lines to send to the House floor HB 37, which would place the firing squad as the first method of execution over lethal injection for carrying out a death sentence, starting in July 2026.

In an effort to help Idahoans follow major bills, resolutions and memorials through the legislative process, the Idaho Capital Sun will produce a “legislative notebook” at the end of each week to gather information in one place that concerns major happenings in the Legislature and other news relating to state government.