After an hours-long hearing, the Senate Transportation Committee has voted 5-4 in favor of SB 1117, despite much testimony against it, including from North Idaho elected officials. Those voting in favor were Sens. Brackett, Johnson, Rice, Nonini and Hagedorn. Those voting against were Sens. Keough,…
Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, moved to send SB 1064 – the bill to extend the heavy-trucks pilot project in southern Idaho – to the full Senate with a recommendation that it “do pass.” Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, said, “I commend the group, the 'Right Truck…
As the heavy-trucks hearing continues: Stuart Davis, executive director of the Idaho Association of Highway Districts, spoke in favor “unequivocally” of SB 1064, regarding making the southern Idaho heavy-trucks pilot project permanent. “We do oppose SB 1117,” he said. “There is not enough data to…
More testimony from the heavy-trucks hearing: Skip Smyser, lobbyist for the Idaho Trucking Association, said, “We have studied this and studied this.” He urged the Senate Transportation Committee to pass SB 1064, to make southern Idaho pilot routes for extra-heavy trucks permanent. He disputed testimony…
Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, asked Milk Producers of Idaho lobbyist Brent Olmstead how he can support SB 1117, which opens up North Idaho routes to extra-heavy trucks, when he signed a letter several years ago offering an “unequivocal pledge” not to seek routes in North…
Phil Lampert, Benewah County commissioner, told the Senate Transportation Committee, “We’ve heard everybody talk about the pilot projects in south Idaho. But if this is expanded in North Idaho, there’s been no pilot project up there. … The terrain is quite a bit different up…
In continued testimony at the heavy-trucks hearing: Gary Halverson, transportation manager for Glanbia Foods, spoke in favor of both heavy-trucks bills. His company processes almost a third of the milk in Idaho, and hauls almost 11 million pounds of milk and whey daily, he said.…
Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, grilled Idaho Commerce Director Jeff Sayer and Idaho Transportation Department official Alan Frew about whether either agency would spend more state money to review and analyze possible new routes for extra-heavy trucks, should SB 1117 pass. Both said no. “We…
Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, asked ITD Deputy Director Scott Stokes about differences in climate and other issues between northern and southern Idaho that affect roads. “The precipitation in northern Idaho is a particular challenge,” said Stokes, who for many years was ITD’s chief engineer in…
First up from the public to testify on the heavy-truck legislation today was Randy Curless, mayor of Dover. “I oppose SB 1117,” he told the Senate Transportation Committee. “And most of it has to do with geological problems. In the bridges I’ve worked on that…
Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, challenged the fiscal note on SB 1117, the bill to allow heavy trucks statewide; the fiscal note says there would be no cost to the state general fund. But Keough said the bill anticipates activity by the state Department of Commerce,…
The audience at the Senate Transportation Committee this afternoon is a sea of lobbyists wearing green badges, as two bills regarding extra-heavy trucks are up for hearings. The first, SB 1064, would remove the expiration date from a pilot program that has allowed the heavier…
The House has voted unanimously in favor of creating a new, enhanced concealed weapons permit in Idaho that would require a higher level of training than a regular permit. “Right now in the state of Idaho, we have one level of concealed weapons permits,” said…
HB 155, the bill backed by AAA of Idaho to keep teen drivers-in-training off the phone while they drive during a six-month practice period, has been pulled back to the House Transportation Committee at the request of the committee chairman, Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian. Palmer…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Those hoping to speak their mind at the Capitol won't likely be under the thumb of strict new limits that sought to limit where they could exercise First Amendment rights. The House State…
When the Senate took up HCR 3, the cursive writing resolution, this morning, Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, warned, “I hope you’re not expecting for my debate … to be as eloquent as the good House sponsor from across the rotunda.” Nonini told the Senate…
Several House Education Committee members expressed concerns about other amendments being offered to HB 206, the charter school facilities funding bill, if it goes to the House’s amending order. “When it’s on general orders, it’s fair game,” said committee Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle. Tamara Baysinger…
Rep. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, has proposed sending HB 206, the charter school facilities funding bill, to the House’s amending order, with a committee amendment attached to limit the funds to charter schools that have been in existence for two years and meet state academic standards.…
The House Education Committee is taking back up HB 206 this morning, the charter school facilities funding bill. Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, explained that when the committee passed the bill on Tuesday and a committee member inquired about possibly amending the bill, “Maybe I wasn’t…
Little-known fact: “Our state has the highest per-capita horse population to people of any place in the world.” That’s according to Ed McMillis of the Idaho Horse Council, who was among those testifying in favor of HB 220 in the House State Affairs Committee this…
Larry Kenck, the new chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party, has issued a statement blaming “years of failed GOP policies” for Idaho’s ranking as the state with the highest percentage of workers earning the minimum wage. “Idaho has suffered from decades of GOP policies that…
Times-News reporter Melissa Davlin reports that the House and Senate chambers will return to normal visiting hours today, after security video of an armed man in the House chamber prompted restrictions earlier. “I think it’s just time,” House Speaker Scott Bedke told Davlin. After the…
Legislative budget writers set a budget for the state Liquor Division this morning that’s virtually identical to Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation; it reflects a 1.2 percent increase in funding, but the division gets no state general tax funds. Proposals from the division approved in the…
Idaho Statesman reporter Dan Popkey reports today that 1st District GOP Rep. Raul Labrador had been scheduled to appear at two eastern Idaho county GOP "Lincoln Day" events last weekend, but instead canceled. That suggests he may be backing off from the idea of challenging…
Teens who are learning to drive would be banned from talking on cell phones while they drive during the six-month driving practice period prescribed under Idaho’s graduated drivers license law, under a bill that cleared the House Transportation Committee yesterday on a 9-7 vote; the…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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