Legislation to ban minors from using tanning beds in Idaho has cleared the House Health & Welfare Committee, and now heads to the full House for amendments; sponsor Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, has some changes to the bill proposed by the Academy of Dermatologists. Committee Chair Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, asked Rusche if he'd also consider an amendment to lower the $500 fine in the bill. "If it's the will of the committee that the penalty be reduced," Rusche said, he'd certainly consider that. "I think what's more important is to have a law." Rep. Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, made the successful motion, which passed on an overwhelming voice vote after two days of testimony; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com.

"Tanning in tanning beds is a known cancer-causing condition," Rusche, a retired physician, told the panel. He said the devices cause "a higher incidence of skin cancer and higher incidence of fatal skin cancer." Those who use tanning beds, he said, "might look toasty for a few days, but the downside can be a fatal cancer, and it's totally preventable."