Senate goes at ease for GOP caucus…

The Senate has gone at ease for a majority party caucus, after completing its calendar; Majority Leader Bart Davis said “it is our hope to return” after a “fairly short period of time.” At that point, he said, the Senate will take up a suspension calendar.

Meanwhile, there’s a JFAC meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. today, with agenda items including transfers to the budget stabilization fund and the public education stabilization fund. The Senate State Affairs Committee also has a 4 p.m. meeting scheduled on HB 693, the Capitol Mall rules bill regarding the site of the Occupy Boise vigil, and the House Ways & Means Committee has scheduled a 1:30 p.m. meeting on a new version of Rep. Phil Hart’s “food freedom act.”

In February, Hart proposed an “Idaho Farm Freedom Act” that would exempt from any licensing, certification or inspection requirement the sale of farm products at farmers markets, at roadside stands, or directly to consumers, including for a “traditional community social event” like weddings, church socials, school events or potlucks. The Food Producers of Idaho sharply objected to the bill, HB 431, asking in a letter, “Why would we want to risk consumer health and potentially cause harm to the reputation of farmers markets in Idaho?” The group urged lawmakers to oppose the bill “for the good of Idaho agriculture and protection of the buy local movement impacting our state.” At that point, Hart asked the House Agriculture Committee to hold off on hearing the bill.