Barbieri Doesn’t Like AG Counsel

Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, persuaded a divided House State Affairs Committee this morning to introduce his bill to create an “Office of Legislative Counsel” to provide opinions on the constitutionality of proposed legislation, rather than turning to the Idaho Attorney General’s office. Barbieri, sponsor of this year’s unsuccessful health-care nullification law, which the AG’s office advised violated both the U.S. and Idaho constitutions and lawmakers’ oath of office, is an attorney, though he’s not licensed in Idaho; he disputed the opinion. Barbieri said the Legislature can hire attorneys of its own choosing. “We have that power right now,” Barbieri told the committee. “So it is not a change with respect to our power”/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

Question: Should the Idaho Legislature hire attorneys for opinions that’ll tickle the ears of Barbieri and other uberconservative playmates or rely on the attorney general’s office per usual?