The House State Affairs Committee this morning rejected a proposal from Rep. Stephen Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, to create a “rebuttable presumption” that the identity of an online commenter must be disclosed when there’s a defamation or slander suit. Just two committee members, Reps. Ken Andrus,…
The Senate has voted unanimously in favor of SB 1004, to allow Idaho Fish & Game to sell three-year hunting, fishing or combination licenses to both residents and non-residents, rather than just annual licenses. The department has proposed the move to try to draw in…
The Idaho House has loudly and unanimously endorsed SCR 102, the resolution objecting to a Turkish firm’s application to trademark the word “IDAHO” for its agricultural products in its country and abroad, after House Ag Chairman Ken Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, told the House the…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A measure directing the State Board of Education to require cursive handwriting in Idaho schools is headed for a full House vote after unanimously passing the chamber's Education Committee. Bill sponsor Rep. Linden…
The House State Affairs Committee has voted unanimously in favor of HB 55, to let phone companies and other telecoms call their customers to pitch products, even if those customers are on the “do-not-call” list. Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, said people have more options…
Former longtime North Idaho state Rep. Jim Clark is back before a legislative committee this morning, this time as a lobbyist for Frontier Communications, which, along with Century Link, is proposing HB 55 to drop a restriction from Idaho’s do-not-call law that now prevents phone,…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho corrections officials in a bid to save money are asking lawmakers to relax mandatory disease testing for inmates slated for release. The law now requires that inmates be tested for diseases like…
Two supplemental appropriations to the state Department of Welfare related to “Medicaid readiness,” covering fund transfers to deal with programming changes and so forth as federal Medicaid rules change, caused a bit of dust-up in JFAC last week, with several members raising concerns that approving…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge appeared sympathetic to an environmental group's contention that the U.S. Forest Service can intervene to protect U.S. Highway 12's scenic characteristics from impacts of giant oil-equipment shipments. U.S. District Judge…
An Adams County Republican precinct committeewoman regaled the House Education Committee this morning with her views that an American government textbook used at her local high school was “a liberal Democrat’s dream of indoctrination,” reports Bill Spence of the Lewiston Tribune. “Among the things it…
Hundreds of Idaho charter school students crowded the Capitol on Wednesday to rally in support of school choice, reports Clark Corbin of Idaho Education News. He reports that students and charter school supporters stood 15 deep at the base of the Statehouse steps to chant…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Senate committee has introduced a bill to tighten Idaho's laws in cases when a person is involved in prostitution with a minor. The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee introduced a bill Wednesday…
Pictures of a reader board sign with a reference to a popular song lyric about buying second-hand clothes has been passed around the Internet with captions such as "And this is why Idaho is awesome," the Idaho Press-Tribune reports. The sign's at an Idaho Youth…
Idaho still has no “primary” seat belt law, allowing police to pull over a driver just for a seat belt violation – but Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry, a retired state trooper, wants to enact one for drivers age 14-18. “We’re losing too many of…
House Agriculture Chairman Ken Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, introduced legislation today to define animal torture and make a third offense of torturing a pet a felony; the House Ag Committee voted to introduce the bill. Andrus said the torture provision was in one of two…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: HAYDEN, Idaho (AP) — A former northern Idaho Republican lawmaker was arrested after an apparent scuffle at his restaurant in which an employee says he was the victim of a physical encounter. The Coeur d'Alene Press (http://tinyurl.com/a6x38uz…
Former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig is among those addressing lawmakers on the House Environment and Senate Resources committees in the Capitol Auditorium this afternoon, as part of a presentation on nuclear energy in Idaho, past and future. Craig offered “a bit of a historic perspective,”…
The Senate Resources Committee has voted 5-4 to send Fish & Game Commissioner Joan Hurlock’s confirmation to the full Senate with a recommendation that it not pass, after defeating another motion, on a reverse 4-5 vote, to send it with a recommendation that it pass.…
The House Commerce Committee yesterday refused to introduce legislation nicknamed the “sandwich bill” proposed by Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, to require a half-hour, unpaid meal break mid-shift for workers who work at least seven and a half hours straight. Only the panel’s two Democratic members,…
A large crowd has turned out today for a panel discussion on Idaho’s Human Rights Act and its possible amendment to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Gathered in the Capitol Auditorium, the crowd is hearing from a panel moderated…
The Senate has voted 28-6 in favor of SCR 103, a resolution encouraging Idaho’s application to become one of six national unmanned aircraft test sites for the Federal Aviation Administration. Opponents included Sen. Les Bock, D-Boise, who raised privacy concerns. Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said…
Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, brought a bill to the House Rev & Tax Commission this morning to grant a sales tax exemption to homeless shelters, saying, “I understand this is exemption Wednesday – so that’s why this bill is before you.” The committee had…
The House Revenue & Taxation Committee has approved HB 62 and sent it to the full House, to grant a sales tax exemption to non-profit pregnancy resource centers that don’t perform abortions; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com. Rep. Kelly Packer, R-McCammon,…
Idaho's state Board of Correction has voted to extend its contract with Corizon, the troubled firm now providing medical care to the state's prison inmates, for another year, pushing back consideration of alternative providers until January of 2014, the AP reports. Corizon's troubles in Idaho…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador fired an aide who sent a tweet that appeared on the congressman's account commenting on a sexually provocative television advertisement during the Super Bowl. The Idaho Statesman (http://tinyurl.com/a3nj2sm) reports…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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