The House Ways & Means Committee introduced two new bills this afternoon, but neither is expected to go any further this session; both were introduced just for discussion. In the words of House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, the moves will "get 'em a bill number, put 'em in the public domain."

One, from Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, is a new version of his “food freedom act,” which, in its earlier incarnation this session as HB 431, the "Idaho Farm Freedom Act," would have exempted from any licensing, certification or inspection requirement the sale of farm products at farmers markets, at roadside stands, or directly to consumers, including for a “traditional community social event” like weddings, church socials, school events or potlucks. That measure drew strong opposition from the Food Producers of Idaho, who said it would risk consumer health and hurt the reputation of Idaho's farmers markets.

Hart's latest version, which is 14 pages long, is aimed at "allowing an unregulated and uninhibited relationship between the farmer and/or the farmer's agent and what the bill defines as an 'informed end consumer' of the farm product," according to its statement of purpose. He said he'd talked with the Idaho Potato Commission about his bill and included a provision at that panel's request; several ag lobbyists who attended the meeting said they hadn't yet seen the new bill.

The second bill introduced in the committee today was from Rep. Brian Cronin, D-Boise, to create an Idaho Office of Utility Consumer Advocate to represent ratepayers in utility rate cases before the Public Utilities Commission. Cronin said his proposal is for a "hybrid model," with the Attorney General appointing a director and a utility ratepayer advisory commission. Forty-three states have some form of consumer advocate in their utility rate-setting process, Cronin told the panel.

Both bills were introduced on unanimous votes, with the understanding that they won't proceed further this session.