Former hostage bill released
The House Education Committee has met and passed out HB 211, a bill that adjusts legislation that passed last year to standardize residency rules for higher education. The change, which isn't controversial, accommodates Idahoans who go elsewhere for their undergraduate education, then return to their home states for law school or other higher education, and was sought by the state Board of Education and the University of Idaho. Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, a co-sponsor, said the measure, introduced on March 4, got caught up in the politics of the session and held hostage in the House, apparently because of her high-profile Senate co-sponsor - Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls. It also was co-sponsored by Rep. Mack Shirley, R-Rexburg.