100 Days in Session for the Legislature
Legislators have been working diligently to ensure the people’s work gets done this session. As of April 21, 591 bills have been printed and heard in committees and on the chamber floors. Of those 591 bills, 266 have been signed into law by the Governor. In addition to bills which modernize and improve Idaho code, lawmakers have worked to improve Idaho’s education system, develop statewide budgets, and protect Idahoan’s constitutional freedoms.
Ballot Initiative Reform Signed by the Governor
Pro-2nd Amendment Legislation Passed in the Senate
Legislature's Education Agenda Moves Forward
The House additionally passed Senate Bill 1006, also known as the Idaho Literacy Achievement and Accountability Act. This legislation consolidates current statutory requirements for literacy intervention and updates provisions in alignment with goals to have Idaho’s students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 3. SB1006 is now awaiting the Governor’s consideration, as is Senate Bill 1043. This privacy-focused bill allows student hearings on subjects like expulsions or denial of enrollment to be held behind closed doors in a school board’s executive session. Such issues are currently discussed in public school board meetings, which are subject to Idasho’s open meeting law rules, leaving open the possibility that private, sensitive information about minors can be disclosed.
Industrial Hemp Legalized in Idaho
SB1139 Signed Into Law
Idaho Young Republicans Town Hall
- Developing an intelligent, aggressive and effective Republican volunteer organization dedicated to growing the Republican party by holding fast to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace;
- Encouraging young people to pursue leadership positions in Idaho communities and to run for political office;
- Supporting and participating in the development of the Republican Party’s platform and policies;
- Bringing young people into the Republican Party by providing them with opportunities for leadership, political expression and recognition;
- Helping elect Republicans to public office;
- Promoting good government at all levels.
The town hall participants were able to ask direct questions to legislators as well as learn more about the processes required to pass legislation. Representative Greg Chaney, Kevin Andrus, Dustin Manwaring and Senator Mary Souza were given time to speak or answer questions.
LEGISLATION AT A GLANCE
H0332: This legislation would reduce all income tax brackets and provide a one-time sales tax/income tax rebate for Idahoans. The bill passed the House with a vote of 58-12-0 and was introduced to the Senate. It was referred to the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee, and then sent to the 14th Order for amendment.
S1006: This legislation would further Idaho’s interest and goal of having every student reading at grade level by the end of grade 3 by aligning administrative rules and laws with the Education Task Force recommendations. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 35-0-0 and the House with a vote of 68-0-2 and was delivered to the Governor for his consideration.
S1009: This bill designates the State Fire Marshal and State Fire Marshal deputies as firefighters under the Public Employee Retirement System and provides them with certain workers compensation benefits that are available to first responders. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 32-1-2 and the House with a vote of 67-1-2 and was signed by the Governor on March 18. It will become effective July 1, 2021.
S1017: This bill revises definitions involving uniform controlled substances to make technical corrections in order to include synthetic drugs. It also provides corrected terminology and provisions for controlled substances. It clarifies the definitions and identifies the differences of marijuana and CBD that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 30-3-2 and the House with a vote of 43-27-0 and was signed by the Governor on February 26. It will become effective July 1, 2021.
S1027 and S1200: S1027 compensates wrongfully convicted and imprisoned individuals with $62,000 for each year of incarceration, or $75,000 per year if incarcerated on death row. Individuals wrongfully placed on the sex offender registry shall receive an additional $25,000 for each year they were on the registry. Exonerees have two years from the date they are formally exonerated by a court to file a claim. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 35-0-0 and the House with a vote of 70-0-0 and was signed by the Governor on March 5. It became effective the same day. S1200 is a trailer bill to S1027. It clarifies that eligible days for compensation include time spent awaiting trial. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 35-0-0 and was introduced to the House. It was reported out of committee and is scheduled for the Second Reading Calendar.
S1039aaH: This bill would allow school districts to award a Workplace Readiness Diploma to graduates who have completed career technical education programs. Graduates awarded a diploma are then able to demonstrate skills and competencies to future employers. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 35-0-0 and the House with a vote of 67-0-3 and was delivered to the Governor for his consideration.
S1110: The purpose of this legislation is to increase voter involvement and inclusivity in the voter initiative/referendum process. This will be accomplished by ensuring signatures are gathered from each of the 35 legislative districts, so every part of Idaho is included in this process. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 26-9-0 and the House with a vote of 51-18-1 on April 7 and was signed by the Governor on April 17. It became effective the same day.
S1134: The purpose of this legislation is to amend Idaho Code 46-1005A by inserting language allowing for the recovery of federal funds after a Declaration of State Emergency has expired or was terminated. The bill passed the Senate 34-0-1 and the House with a vote of 69-0-1 and was signed by the Governor on April 14. It became effective the same day.
S1139: This legislation clarifies the powers of the Director Health & Welfare in Idaho Code 56-1003 relating to quarantine and isolation rules during a time of emergency. It prohibits healthy people from being required to quarantine. Additionally, it creates a way to let the courts review an order issued by the Director. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 33-0-2 and the House with a vote of 65-2-3 and was signed by the Governor on April 20.
S1211: This legislation increases the annual amount transferred from the Idaho Fish and Game Fund to the Wolf Control Fund by $190,000 to reduce the number of wolves in Idaho. Proponents aim to have 15 packs of 150 wolves in the state, while the current estimate is over 1,500 animals. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 26-7-2 and was introduced in the House.