Legislative Notes

Day-care staffing boost killed

Boise

The Senate killed a bill Thursday that would have increased minimum staffing levels in Idaho day-care centers.

The bill, carried on the Senate floor by Sen. Gordon Crow, R-Hayden, would have required one staff member for every six children 18 months or younger, one for each 12 children between 18 months and five years, and one for every 18 children over five years old.

Current state law requires only one caregiver for every 12 children, regardless of the children’s ages.

The bill had passed the House. But, Crow said, “They (senators) aren’t in the mood to revisit it this year.”

Reforms sought for fireworks

Boise

Fire marshals, fire chiefs, and fireworks companies all got together Thursday to get a bill reforming Idaho’s fireworks laws sent to the full House for a vote.

The bill would allow counties as well as cities to regulate fireworks. This way, said Pyrodyne lobbyist David Mabe, there will be regulations outside city limits.

“The bill would allow for reasonable regulations of fireworks products,” said Mabe.

The Idaho Fire Chiefs’ Association had agreed with the bill initially, but Bruce Alcott, Caldwell fire chief, said his group still had some concerns.

, DataTimes