The legislative dining room will now open to the public every day from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., though it will remain open only to legislators and invited guests  from 11:30 to 2 p.m. House Assistant Majority Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, just announced the change on the floor of the House. "There's certainly excess capacity there," Bedke told Eye on Boise. "This whole thing was a work in progress, this policy, and you may see it be modified again."

Since the newly renovated capitol reopened, there's been no place in the building for anyone other than lawmakers to get a soda or a snack, including school groups and members of the public visiting the building. The dining room, which serves both the House and Senate, originally was envisioned as a public dining room, but instead was closed. Since the legislative session started, there's been concern that it's not seeing enough business to keep it running.

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