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Idaho legislators hold hearing on redrawing state border to take in Oregon counties
Two of the Idaho Legislature’s committees teamed up Monday for a joint hearing over a longshot proposal to redraw Oregon’s border so that about 20 rural Oregon counties would become part of Idaho. There was no bill, budget or formal proposal to act on. But the House Environment, Energy and Transportation Committee and the Senate […]
Idaho Senate passes bill to limit governor’s emergency powers
The Idaho Senate passed a bill Friday that would limit a governor’s emergency declaration powers and limit emergency restrictions that could be placed on residents or workers. If passed into law, House Bill 135 would make it so a governor could not extend an emergency or disaster declaration passed 60 days, except to continue receiving […]
Idaho Legislature comes out against Simpson’s salmon recovery plan
The Idaho Legislature formally came out against U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson’s salmon recovery proposal that calls for breaching dams along the Snake River. The Idaho House voted 58-12 along party lines Thursday to adopt Senate Joint Memorial 103, which is a statement of opposition to removing or breaching dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers […]
Idaho Legislature approves changes to initiative signature gathering requirements
The Idaho House on Wednesday sent a bill that would change the signature gathering requirements for citizen ballot initiatives to Gov. Brad Little’s desk for final consideration. If passed into law, Senate Bill 1110 would require organizers of a ballot initiative to collect signatures from 6% of voters in each of the state’s 35 legislative […]
Idaho House kills $200M welfare budget on first day back
The Idaho House killed next year’s $200 million Division of Welfare budget hours after the Legislature reconvened Tuesday following a COVID-19 outbreak that had put the session on hold since March 19. The failure of the budget bill likely means the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will reconvene in the coming days and draft a new budget, […]
Legislature reconvenes Tuesday following Statehouse COVID-19 outbreak
The Idaho Legislature is preparing to resume the 2021 session Tuesday following a 17-day recess that legislators abruptly announced amid a COVID-19 outbreak inside the Statehouse. Legislators shut things down March 19 after at least six House members and one staffer tested positive over the previous week and a half. Two members of the Senate […]
State legislator: Idaho lawmakers discussed not fully adjourning session this year
A Republican committee chairman said Idaho legislators have discussed the possibility of not making the traditional motion to adjourn their business for the year. Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, said legislators’ concerns about Gov. Brad Little’s authority and handling of CARES Act stimulus funding while the Legislature was not in session in 2020 prompted the […]
After COVID scare, Idaho Legislature back in session Tuesday. Here’s how to follow along.
When the Idaho Legislature reconvenes Tuesday following an abrupt 17-day recess brought on by a COVID-19 Statehouse outbreak, Idahoans will be able to follow the action without leaving their home or office. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Legislature and Idaho Public Television have offered live streaming video of all committee hearings and floor sessions […]
30 U.S. states now considering version of Idaho’s transgender athlete bill
A bill that bans transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports has quickly spread to 30 statehouses across the country after originating in Idaho. Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, the bill originated in the form of House Bill 500 during the 2020 Idaho legislative session. The Republican supermajority that […]
Idaho bills restricting voting, ballot procedures hang in balance as session nears end
The fate of several bills that would restrict voting or ballot initiative procedures in Idaho hang in the balance when the Legislature reconvenes April 6 after postponing the 2021 session due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capitol. One would put new restrictions on turning in absentee ballots. House Bill 223, pushed by House Majority […]
Legislators seek to alter voting access with Idaho turnout at highest levels in decades
At a time when legislators are considering changes to voting, ballot initiative and election laws, the percentage of Idahoans voting is at the highest levels in decades. Voter turnout in both the 2020 primary and general election was the highest percentage since at least before 1996, which is as far back as online records are […]