The Idaho State Police is so understaffed that Col. Ralph Powell, ISP director, told legislative budget writers this morning it's causing safety concerns for both officers and the public. A state study that examined the number of miles of state and federal highways the ISP…
The House’s complex amending process will be on full display tomorrow, as it takes up multiple and likely conflicting amendments to HB 427, Rep. Lynn Luker’s controversial religious freedom expansion bill. First, though, both houses have their annual Lincoln Day ceremonies scheduled when they convene…
The candidate Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, endorsed to succeed him in office next year has just discovered that his home is 180 feet outside of the legislative district in question – so he’s not running. “I’m disappointed, I’m embarrassed, I’m devastated by this,” said…
Idaho could follow Utah in raising speed limits on some stretches of rural interstate to 80 mph, under legislation that cleared a Senate committee today. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, proposed the bill, which would let ITD decide which stretches of road it…
The House has voted 62-6 in favor of HB 395, to restore non-emergency adult dental coverage to poor disabled people on Medicaid, which was eliminated in 2011. Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, a physician, said in 2011, “We were trying to respond to a sharp drop…
Idaho is one of only three states that doesn’t collect data from hospitals about costs and charges for specific procedures, according to Rep. Brandon Hixon, R-Caldwell. And 36 states have adopted transparency legislation to require hospitals to report that data; again, Idaho’s not among them.…
Here's a sign that we're into the more intense part of this year's legislative session: The House has voted to waive the portion of its Rule 70 that bans beverages from the House floor during sessions. After the vote, House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, announced,…
The Senate Agriculture Committee has voted in favor of SB 1337 this morning, the bill to outlaw taking or distributing video of agricultural operations without permission, on a voice vote, after a nearly three-hour hearing. “I don’t think there’s one person on this committee that…
More testimony from the hearing on SB 1337 this morning: Bob Naerebout of the Idaho Dairy Association told the House Agriculture Committee, “If you vote for this bill, and you vote yes, I can guarantee what’s going to happen. You will be vilified. You will…
Among those testifying at this morning’s hearing on SB 1337: Brent Olmstead, executive director of Milk Producers of Idaho, said, “The idea that livestock operators routinely abuse animals … is ludicrous. … An abused dairy cow does not produce milk to the quality and quantity…
A hearing is continuing this morning – it’s well into its second hour – on SB 1337, the so-called “ag gag” bill to criminalize taking or distributing video or other recordings of agricultural production operations without permission. The bill follows an incident in which an…
Seventeen backers of Rep. Lynn Luker’s religious freedom expansion bill – the same bill that drew more than 500 opponents to the Capitol last week – lined a Capitol hallway this morning, some of them holding signs saying “Thank you, Rep. Luker.” The sign-holders said…
Here are some more of Gov. Butch Otter’s comments from his address to the Idaho Press Club this morning: On Corrections Corp. of America: “Yes, I do think that they ought to be held accountable, and I think that we are holding them accountable.” He…
Gov. Butch Otter is speaking to the Idaho Press Club this morning, in his annual on-the-record appearance before the group. Asked about the Idaho Education Network and the possibility that the state may have to pay as much as $26 million to replace federal e-rate…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
