Week 1 – 2
Rules
Governor Little’s Red Tape Reduction Act and Zero-Based Regulation executive order called for state agencies to review their rule chapters systematically and eliminate redundancies. Once this is accomplished, the legislature must review that work and ensure that the changes still meet the legislative intent.
Appointments
Each committee is assigned a slate of gubernatorial appointments. The committee members review the applications, crosscheck the applicable statute, and verify that the candidate recommended is eligible to fulfill the role. Each candidate is then interviewed by the committee. Upon successful completion of this process, the candidate is introduced to the senate with a recommendation for approval. Idaho is extremely fortunate to have so many intelligent, educated, and caring people who fill these positions.
Notes on JFAC
The statehouse has seen a marked shift in ideology this year. One of the most noteworthy events that will most likely happen during this session will change the face of Idaho for years to come. Idaho is required by law to have a balanced budget every year. The Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee (JFAC) is where budgets get approved or denied. All budgets must pass through JFAC. JFAC is comprised of 10 House members and 10 Senate members. Currently, the passage of any budget requires 11 members to vote in favor. That budget then leaves JFAC and heads to the appropriate chamber for approval/denial. There is an effort underway to divide the Joint committee, House/Senate. This would result in the 10 House members voting in a bloc and the 10 Senate members voting in a bloc. Any budget would now need 12 votes to pass and only 5 votes to deny. If this division of JFAC happens, there is a very real possibility that agencies across the state will have their budgets held hostage.
Silencing of voices
Committee Chairs Representative Bruce Skaug and Representative Ehardt created rules to prohibit testimony being heard in committee on bills by anyone under 18. Their reasoning: to allow for control and to hear from adults who are taxpayers. The First Amendment is under attack.
Items to Keep an Eye On
Education Savings Accounts (aka school vouchers). There is a coordinated effort to de-fund Idaho’s public education system. Legislation is in the works to allow parents to send their children to any school of their choice, be it private, public, home school, parochial, or any other school you can think of. Tuition would be paid for with tax dollars. Tax dollars are meant for our public school system.
Medicaid Review
Medicaid expansion was ratified in 2018 by 60% of Idaho voters. This program has been an immense help to the community, unfortunately, not everyone sees the long-term benefit of the program. Almost a third of Idahoans are covered by Medicaid. We have been reviewing the pros and cons of continuing this program. I am hopeful that this budget item does not find its way to the chopping block.
Article 3 of the State Constitution
A bill has been introduced to amend the State Constitution. This bill would make it more difficult to get an initiative on the ballot by requiring signatures from 6% of voters in all counties. The Idaho Supreme Court struck down a similar measure in 2021. What makes this bill different? This bill would allow the public to vote on it to codify it into the State Constitution. Instead of a bill, maybe the good Senator who introduced this bill could obtain enough signatures and place an initiative on the ballot.
Parades and Militias
Senate Bill 1007, if passed, would repeal section 46-802 of the Idaho Code. This code prohibits members of organizations other than the National Guard, unorganized militia, or select other groups from associating and parading in public with firearms. In short, if SB1007 succeeds, any group of people could participate in any parade while carrying firearms.
