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Judge grants stay of execution for Gerald Pizzuto Jr., Idaho man on death row
This story was originally published by Idaho Reports on March 10, 2023. On Thursday, U.S. Idaho District Judge B. Lynn Winmill granted a stay of execution for Gerald Pizzuto Jr., an Idaho man on death row after the state once again was unable to obtain the necessary chemicals for lethal injection. Pizzuto’s execution was scheduled […]
Idaho ballot initiatives resolution held in House committee — for now
This story was first published by Idaho Reports on March 9, 2023. The House State Affairs Committee on Thursday held a resolution, subject to call of the chairman, that would ask voters to amend the Idaho Constitution and make it harder to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot. The resolution comes after a […]
Idaho House committee moves ‘abortion trafficking’ bill forward
This story was originally published by Idaho Reports on March 3, 2023. The Idaho House State Affairs Committee moved forward a bill on Friday that would make it a felony crime to transport or recruit a minor for an abortion without parental consent. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, and Rep. Kevin Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, presented […]
Idaho attorney general obtains death warrant for man on death row
This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 24, 2023. The Idaho Attorney General’s Office announced Friday it obtained a new death warrant for Gerald Pizzuto Jr.’s execution. In a news release, the AG’s Office said the state will continue to try and obtain the chemicals necessary for a lethal injection. […]
Idaho House committee approves limits on absentee ballots
This story was originally posted on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 23, 2023. The House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill in a 6-3 vote Thursday that would limit who can apply for an absentee ballot in Idaho. The only people allowed to request an absentee ballot would be those in the military; people […]
Bill introduced to bring back firing squad as execution method in Idaho
The Idaho House Ways and Means Committee introduced a bill Wednesday to bring back the firing squad as a legal form of execution in Idaho. Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, will sponsor the bill. Skaug is the chairman of the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, where the bill will get a public hearing. The bill comes […]
Idaho House introduces bill to ban ranked choice voting
This story was first published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 21, 2023. The House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill on Tuesday to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting and instant runoff voting in Idaho. Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, brought the bill, saying its purpose is to preserve a fair and transparent […]
3 voting bills pass Idaho State Affairs Committee
The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee moved three voting bills forward on Monday, all supported by Secretary of State Phil McGrane. The most noteworthy, Senate Bill 1078, would add candidates to the state’s existing voting guide. Currently, the state only provides a pamphlet including information on referendums, initiatives and ballot questions, not candidates. The bill would add […]
Bill introduced limiting Idaho governor’s powers on disaster orders
This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 15, 2023. The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee introduced a bill Wednesday similar to those introduced in the past that would limit the governor’s ability to extend a state of disaster emergency order. Sen. Phil Hart, R-Kellogg, brought the bill, saying it would […]
Bill to give state control of streets around Idaho Capitol in Boise held in committee
This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 15, 2023. The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee held a bill Wednesday that would have given the state some oversight over projects impacting the roads around the Capitol building. Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, pitched House Bill 25, which would require authorization from the Department […]
House committee advances bill to change oversight of Idaho performance evaluations agency
This story was originally published on the Idaho Reports blog on Feb. 7, 2022. The Idaho House State Affairs Committee moved forward a bill Tuesday to shift the oversight of the office responsible for evaluating government programs to a majority-controlled legislative committee. The Office of Performance Evaluations could see changes in oversight should the bill […]
Bill introduced to limit who could vote by absentee ballot in Idaho
The Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill Thursday that would limit the number of people eligible for an absentee ballot. Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, pitched the bill, saying the recent popularity of absentee ballots is detrimental to the voting process and opens the door to fraud. He did not cite any examples […]