The House has decided not to take up any bills this morning, with so many of its members gone for the funeral in Pocatello today of Brenda Malepeai, the late wife of Sen. Edgar Malepeai, D-Pocatello. House GOP Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, said leadership was working on gathering up "paired" votes to allow absent members to participate, but the task proved too large. As a result, he said, "We're not going to take up any bills at all. There's a lot of Democrats missing." The House will hold those committee hearings that are scheduled; there are only a couple. Tomorrow, however, will be a big day: The House will debate and vote on HB 135a, the gas tax bill.

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