Rep. Vito Barbieri has withdrawn HB 278, his bill to have the Legislature set up its own "Office of Legislative Counsel" rather than seek advice from the Idaho Attorney General, and shift funding and staff from the AG's office to accomplish that. "After yesterday's hearing, realizing how pressed State Affairs is to try to get done here, and after the questions that I received, I just withdrew the bill," Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, said this morning. "I just thought discussion needs to be a little more in-depth. With State Affairs as pressed as they are, it seemed better to withdraw it and talk about the issue over the interim, and maybe bring it back next session. It's just too late. There's some educating that needs to go on here."

Barbieri said, "I think it is an issue that is more serious than it's being made out to be. But it's not so crucial in terms of time. It's just that the Legislature has gotten into the habit of running and getting permission. I think once they recognize the freedom of having their own counsel, they'll see that the conflict is serious."