Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, has introduced legislation to repeal the laws creating the Idaho Women’s Commission, which hasn’t been funded for the past seven years. “They defunded it but all the code is still in law,” Scott said. “It’s kind of outdated. I just don’t think women need a commission to promote themselves.”

She said, “There’s a lot of issues, I’m not denying. But I don’t think a commission is the best way to deal with issues. It’s not been funded in seven years; it’s not really doing much.” The House State Affairs Committee agreed to introduce Scott’s bill this morning, though there were a couple of “no” votes; that move clears the way for a hearing.

Then-Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, led the move to de-fund the Women’s Commission in 2009; she said then, “I think their day has come and gone, and it’s time for Idaho to wake up to that fact.” At that point, the tiny agency had a budget of less than $30,000 and a part-time director.

Then-Director Kitty Kunz told JFAC in 2009 that the women’s commission published a guide to family laws in the state, and was looking into translating it into Spanish; participated in regional and statewide conferences to educate women about everything from finances to retirement; and participated in health outreach programs and other efforts to improve the status of women in Idaho.

In addition to leading the effort on JFAC to de-fund the commission, Broadsword that year introduced legislation to repeal the laws creating it, but her bill, SB 1058, never got out of committee.