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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 […]
Legislative committee advances bill to move Idaho’s presidential primary elections back to May
With very little discussion, the House State Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to advance a bill that would move Idaho’s presidential primary elections from March to May beginning with next year’s presidential primary. Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello, is sponsoring House Bill 138, which would delete the section of current Idaho law that specifies presidential primary elections […]
Idaho Legislature introduces three bills opposing environmental, social and governance standards
The Idaho Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday introduced three new Republican–sponsored bills designed to combat the use of environmental, social and corporate governance — or ESG — standards. ESG standards and ratings are used in business investments and credit ratings, and can indicate social consciousness, a commitment to environmental stewardship or a commitment […]
Idaho House votes to prohibit use of student IDs to verify identity for voting
The Republican-controlled Idaho House of Representatives voted along party lines Monday to pass a bill that would remove student IDs from the list of types of identification accepted to vote at Idaho polls. Rep. Tina Lambert, R-Caldwell, sponsored House Bill 124, saying it would help prevent fraud at the polls — without citing any specific […]
Idaho Legislature’s budget panel approves supplemental funding for McGeachin’s deferred pay
The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee agreed to give new Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke an additional $7,000 in supplemental funding for statewide travel and to backfill the portion of former Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s salary that was deferred to avoid a budget shortfall last year. On Monday, JFAC voted 19-0 to approve the supplemental budget […]
Idaho charter commission to consider renewal for school flagged for academics, special education
A Boise-based charter school that uses a model to deliberately deemphasize technology and devices has been flagged by state charter school regulators for failing to meet academic standards and for struggling with compliance in its federal special education programs is one of 17 Idaho charter schools up for renewal next week. Peace Valley Charter School […]
Idaho Legislature’s budget panel approves $1M request for University of Idaho security
The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a $1 million supplemental funding request on Friday for extra security costs at the University of Idaho following the Nov. 13 slayings of four students. The supplemental funding is a one-time request and would go to the University of Idaho for services from Idaho State Police, a […]
Idaho Legislature’s budget committee holds first votes, expects to start budget setting next week
The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee conducted its first votes of the year on Thursday, building some positive forward momentum as the 2023 session nears the end of its sixth week. Until Thursday, JFAC hadn’t conducted any votes as Republican leaders of the Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho Senate were engaged in a behind-the-scenes […]