Sen. Vick’s first bill: Limit Idaho legislative sessions to 80 days a year

Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, introduced his first bill this morning - to limit Idaho’s legislative sessions to 80 days each year. Vick, a former Montana legislator, told the Senate State Affairs Committee, “I think if you believe in limited government, then also we need to be willing to put limits on the Legislature.” He noted, “The last days are not the most fun in the Legislature. … This would help us with that as well.”

Though there were questions, the committee agreed to introduce Vick’s bill. “I honestly believe, because I lived under this situation, that if you tried it, you really would like it,” Vick told the senators. Asked what would happen if something unforeseen came up - like the stimulus funding in 2009 that forced lawmakers to remake the whole state budget mid-session - Vick said in those cases, the governor could call a special session. In Montana, Vick said the Legislature is limited to 90-day sessions every other year. He picked 80 days for Idaho’s annual sessions because, he said, “That’s real close to where we’re at now” on average.