A group of University of Idaho law school students is backing legislation that would remove Idaho's copyright on its state laws and make them part of the public domain.
The House Health and Welfare committee unanimously voted to introduce the bill Friday.
Rep. Luke Malek from Coeur d'Alene says the public should have easy access to law ignorance if ignorance is no excuse for breaking state statutes.
The students argue that the only way to get a copy of law is to pay for it. The state's free online version is not official.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, roughly 30 state governments surveyed — including Idaho— hold a copyright on their codes.