Gov. Butch Otter has signed SB 1108 into law, the measure making it tougher to qualify an initiative or referendum measure for the Idaho ballot. “I thought it was the right thing to do,” said Otter, who signed the bill yesterday. “I agreed with the…
Legislative leaders have decided on the interim study committees that will be funded between now and next session; they include four new ones, along with several existing and continuing ones. Here are the new study committees and their authorizing legislation: HCR 21: Studying how Idaho…
Schools in Idaho’s timber-dependent rural communities could be facing a bill from the federal government for $400,000, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News reports, as the feds demand a refund of payments already sent out under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, as…
Click below for a full report from AP reporters Hannah Furfaro and John Miller on the session-ending deal on the education budget, which includes the introduction of SB 1199 today, to let the House and Senate Education committees vet proposals on locally-directed teacher merit bonuses…
The Senate reconvened, and introduced the new education bill – which got the bill number of SB 1199. Then it adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow. The House already has adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
The Senate State Affairs Committee convened just briefly – it only took a few minutes – and introduced new legislation sponsored by Sen. John Goedde, Rep. Reed DeMordaunt and state schools Superintendent Tom Luna aimed at resolving the impasse over the defeated public school budget.…
The Senate is honoring Peter Morrill, the retiring longtime general manager of Idaho Public Television. An array of senators have offered praise to Morrill. Among them was Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, who said, “He’s made me a convert.” Mortimer said, “Many years ago when…
The Senate has voted 21-13 in favor of HCR 22, the resolution demanding that the federal government cede title to all federal land within Idaho to the state. Several senators argued that they don’t believe the resolution will be effective – the feds won’t just…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — The Moscow City Council has passed an anti-discrimination ordinance that makes it illegal to make housing and employment decisions based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The council passed the ordinance Monday amid…
The Senate is debating HCR 22, the resolution demanding that the federal government transfer title to all federal lands in Idaho to the state. Among the comments: Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, said, “Growing up in North Idaho in a small timber community, you either dry-land…
As the Senate began its business this morning, Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, announced that the Senate will go at ease later this morning to allow the State Affairs Committee to meet and introduce the new bill regarding issues in the public school budget…
The Senate has voted 26-6 in favor of HCR 21, the resolution setting up an interim legislative study committee to examine how the state can take over management of federal lands. Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, said the idea’s been studied before. “The ideas don’t work,…
The House State Affairs Committee has voted 11-5 in favor of SB 1192a, the bill to exempt a state parking garage project near the Capitol from Boise city planning & zoning requirements. Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, spoke out against the bill. “I do think…
Jeff Youtz, director of legislative services, is presenting SB 1192a, exempting a state parking garage project near the Capitol from Boise city planning and zoning requirements, to the House State Affairs Comnmittee. Youtz said the bill was requested by legislative leadership, and might never be…
Here’s a sign that adjournment could still happen this week: The Senate and House education committees have scheduled a joint hearing for Wednesday morning at 8, on legislation – sponsored by Senate Chairman John Goedde and House Chairman Reed DeMordaunt – regarding the education budget,…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
