Interim committees set on fed lands, public defenders, K-12 ed, criminal justice system

Legislative leaders have decided on the interim study committees that will be funded between now and next session; they include four new ones, along with several existing and continuing ones. Here are the new study committees and their authorizing legislation:

HCR 21: Studying how Idaho can acquire title to and take over management of federal lands within the state.

HCR 26: Studying how to reform the state’s public defender system.

HCR 33: Studying how to improve and strengthen Idaho’s K-12 public school system.

SCR 128 : Launching a complete study of the Idaho criminal justice system.

Continuing interim committees include the Natural Resources Issues study committee; the Health Care Task Force; and the Energy, Environment & Technology Issues study committee.

One measure that was proposed, but not included for funding due to the number of interim committees proposed: HCR 28, proposing a complete study of Idaho’s alcoholic beverage laws.