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Idaho legislative committee calls for new restrictions on absentee ballot request forms
The Idaho Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee advanced a bill Tuesday over the objections from the Secretary of State’s Office that would greatly restrict who can distribute absentee ballot request forms. If House Bill 259 is passed into law, only a county clerk, election official, officer or employee of the state authorized by law would […]
Idaho Senate votes to repeal state ban on parading in public with firearms
The Republican supermajority in the Idaho Senate passed a bill Monday that repeals a state law banning groups of people from parading in public with firearms in any Idaho city or town. Passing the bill would also remove Idaho’s prohibition on private militias, one Democratic senator who voted against the bill said. But Sen. Dan […]
Idaho House votes to add firing squad as an alternative form of execution
With state officials unable to obtain chemicals to carry out an execution by lethal injection, the Republican-controlled Idaho House of Representatives voted Friday afternoon to pass a bill that would add the firing squad as an alternative method of execution. Currently, lethal injection is the only form of execution allowed in Idaho. House Bill 186 […]
Idaho House passes three bills opposing environmental, social and governance standards
The Idaho House of Representatives passed three consecutive bills Thursday that oppose environmental, social and governance, or ESG, standards used in business investments and credit ratings. The ESG standards can be used to indicate a commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability or indicate social consciousness. But many Republican legislators and officials in Idaho have pointed to […]
Idaho House to vote on bill restricting children from attending drag, burlesque and strip shows
A bill designed to restrict minors from attending drag, burlesque and erotic dancing shows that has been criticized for potentially violating free speech rights is heading to the floor of the Idaho House of Representatives for a vote. Opponents also said the bill spreads misconceptions about performance art and drag and marginalizes members of the […]
Bill allowing execution by firing squad heads to the Idaho House floor for a vote
The Idaho Legislature’s House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted Wednesday to advance a bill that would add the firing squad as an alternative method of execution when lethal injection is unavailable. As of now, lethal injection is the only form of execution in Idaho. The state of Idaho has eight inmates on death row, […]
Idaho Senate OKs bill creating new election voter guide that will be mailed to Idahoans
The Idaho Senate on Wednesday voted to pass a bill that calls for the Idaho secretary of state to create and mail a free, informational voter guide to every Idaho household before state primary and general elections. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane brought Senate Bill 1078 forward as a way to expand upon and […]
Idaho committee advances bill creating restricted driver’s license for undocumented residents
The Idaho Legislature’s Senate Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill that would create a restricted driver’s license available to all people 16 and older residing in Idaho, regardless of their immigration status. However, the divided committee took the unusual step of sending Senate Bill 1081 to the Senate floor without a recommendation attached […]
Idaho Senate OKs proposed constitutional amendment on initiative and referendums
The Idaho Senate has approved a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that would ask voters whether to increase the threshold to qualify a ballot initiative or referendum. On Monday, the Idaho Senate voted 27-8 to pass Senate Joint Resolution 101, which would require 6% of voters in all 35 Idaho legislative districts to sign […]
New bill in Idaho Legislature would restrict minors from attending drag, burlesque and strip shows
The Idaho Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee introduced a new bill Monday that the bill’s author said would restrict minors from attending so-called “sexual exhibitions,” including drag shows, burlesque performances, erotic dancing and stripteases — even with their parents’ consent. If passed into law, Idaho’s new bill would also prevent drag, burlesque, strip shows and […]
Idaho Gov. Brad Little continues to push for career training grants and teacher raises
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Friday he is continuing to negotiate with legislators around his top 2023 priorities, including the Idaho Launch grant program for high school graduates, pay raises for teachers, property tax reduction and increased funding for law enforcement salaries. Through the first 47 days in session with a new-look Idaho Legislature that […]
Idaho Public Charter School Commission rejects renewal application for Monticello Montessori
The Idaho Public Charter School Commission on Thursday took the unusual step of rejecting the renewal agreement for Monticello Montessori Charter School in East Idaho after learning the school had not paid payroll taxes since 2014 and had not met academic performance measures. Monticello Montessori opened in 2010 and serves about 150 students in kindergarten […]