Nuxoll, Durst push to amend SB 1042

Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwodd, said, “I will have no choice with the exchange. If I buy insurance, I’m paying for abortion. If I don’t buy insurance, I’m paying a penalty, I’m still paying for abortion. … Forcing us to buy insurance through a state exchange is an attack on our religious freedom and conscience rights.” Then she moved to send the bill, SB 1042, to the Senate’s 14 ^th Order for amendment. Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, seconded the motion.

The Senate is now debating the motion to move the bill to the amending order. Among those who have spoken in favor of the motion are Sens. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, who said the bill should be amended to “protect life,” and Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, who said he can think of a lot of other amendments the bill should have, including some regarding legislative oversight and separation of powers.

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said his heart is in the same place as Nuxoll’s on the abortion issue, but he opposes the motion. “I think the good senator from 30 just demonstrarted why this bill shouldn’t go to the amending order,” he said of Mortimer. The Senate’s amending order is not the place for complex and major changes to legislation, Davis said; it lacks public input.