In the debate over reapportionment legislation in the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, complained about "doughnut" shaped legislative districts. "I guess doughnuts are not an irregularly shaped district," he said. "We're excited about preserving the hole, and the hole justifies the doughnut. The hole does if it's jelly-filled, but it's not, in my mind, the appropriate standard. I'm hoping that the next commission doesn't go in this direction, but that's not my call." He said "those of us in eastern Idaho" were "left picking up the scraps" in the last reapportionment, which is the redrawing of legislative and congressional districts after the every-decade census. Among the changes in the bill, SB 1184, is more focus on preserving communities of interest, and requiring that portions of districts be connected by major state roads. The measure also prevents past redistricting commission members from serving again.

Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, questioned whether, with the restrictions involving roads, "the commission is even going to be able to come up with a redistricting map given the restrictions." Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes, sponsor of the bill, said many local roads aren't passable year-round, and parts of legislative districts should be connected by state highways to ensure year-round access. Davis described a county road in his area that he said in winter is a good place to go sledding. Geddes said he consulted with former North Idaho lawmaker and reapportionment commissioner Dean Haagenson on the bill, though, he said, "He doesn't like some of this." Said Geddes, "You can basically draw a lot of different lines a lot of different ways."

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