With the hour approaching 5 p.m., Senate Local Government Chairman Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, announced that his committee's hearing on two urban renewal bills will continue tomorrow, though he'll keep going now to hear two more people who've signed up to testify. Much of the testimony…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, wants the Idaho Legislature to hire its own lawyers in a new “Office of Legislative Counsel” rather than consulting the Idaho Attorney General's office. Barbieri, sponsor of this year's…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill that would require registered sex offenders to notify public school officials before they enter schools has cleared a House committee. The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee approved the bill Tuesday…
Two urban renewal bills, HB 95 from Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, and HB 110 from Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, are up for a hearing this afternoon in the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee, and there's a substantial crowd at the hearing. Both these…
Bob Cooper, spokesman for Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden's office, had this response today to Rep. Vito Barbieri's introduction of legislation to create a new "Office of Legislative Counsel" so the Legislature could hire its own lawyers: "Well, it's a policy choice whether the Legislature…
New Senate Transportation Chairman Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, thinks Idaho issues too many specialty license plates for too many things, so he's proposing legislation to limit them in the future to state or public agencies or "foundations supporting the interests of state or local government."…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Elk ranchers who sell meat and charge hunters to shoot trophy bulls inside fences convinced a Senate panel to relax requirements to test for a deadly brain disease that's plagued other states' herds.…
The AARP of Idaho has issued a statement commending the Idaho Senate for passing HB 160, protecting doctors from lawsuits if they recommend to the Idaho Transportation Department that a patient's driver's license be revoked. The bill also asks the doctor to provide a copy…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Senate unanimously approved giving immunity from lawsuits to doctors who recommend that a patient's driver's license be revoked. Sen. John McGee of Caldwell argued Tuesday that doctors must be allowed to recommend…
The budget bill for the Idaho State Police, HB 253, drew lots of debate in the House today. House Appropriations Vice Chairman Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell, noted that the budget shows a 9 percent increase in general funds, but that's only because of a transfer from…
Under House Rule 38, members of the House who are present in the chamber when the roll is called must vote, unless they are excused by a majority vote of the House. The rule does, however, require members to disclose when they have a personal…
Gov. Butch Otter has signed four bills into law to revamp the state's process for geothermal leases on state lands. The measures, HB 52, 53, 54 and 56, were developed after a surge of interest in geothermal power prompted a run on state land leases…
The guns-on-campus bill, HB 222, was scheduled to come up for debate and a vote in the full House this morning, but when its turn arrived, House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, rose and said, "We're going to wait for a little bit more information…
Gov. Butch Otter has proposed a new jobs tax credit bill he's calling the "Hire One Act," echoing his call in his State of the State message this year for all Idaho employers to hire one person to try to boost the economy. Otter aide…
The House Revenue & Taxation Committee has voted 13-3 to suspend the next scheduled bump-up in Idaho's grocery tax credit in the coming year, to save $15 million to help balance next year's budget. The grocery tax credit is currently $50 for most Idahoans and…
Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, persuaded a divided House State Affairs Committee this morning to introduce his bill to create an "Office of Legislative Counsel" to provide opinions on the constitutionality of proposed legislation, rather than turning to the Idaho Attorney General's office. Barbieri, sponsor…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
