A Washington state company with land holdings in Idaho will pay $6 million in a settlement with the federal government over the cleanup of a northern Idaho Superfund site. Potlatch Corporation and its subsidiary, Potlatch Land & Lumber, signed an agreement in early February with the Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency...
The Idaho Senate, which is back on the floor this afternoon, has voted 22-11 in favor of SB 1280, Sen. Mary Souza’s bill to move school board elections to November of odd-numbered years, the same time as city elections. The bill now moves to the…
A University of Idaho law professor is suing the Idaho Department of Correction under the state's Public Records Act for refusing to hand over documents about its use of execution drugs. Aliza Cover asked prison officials last fall for purchase orders, receipts, source paperwork and other documents on the drugs the state used in...
Low-income women in Idaho would have access to important health and family planning services under a proposal advancing inside the Statehouse. According to the measure, Idaho would be allowed to seek federal permission — known as a waiver — to expand family planning services to women ages 19-44...
The Idaho Senate has killed SB 1283a, the bill to allow only hands-free use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving, on a 13-22 vote after a long debate. The bill, which would have replaced the state’s current ban on texting while driving,...
The House has passed HB 577, Rep. Dorothy Moon’s bill to legalize CBD oil for medical use, on a 59-11 vote. The bill now moves to the Senate side. Numerous representatives spoke out on the bill, with many citing people they know who use the...
The House has voted 64-6 in favor of HB 538, legislation from Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, to extend the state Wolf Depredation Control Board, which is charged with contracting to have problem wolves exterminated, for another year. Her bill would continue the board, and the...
After a lengthy and emotional hearing, the House State Affairs Committee has narrowly approved “Marsy’s Law for Idaho,” a proposed constitutional amendment on victims’ rights, on a 9-6 vote. Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, said, she had concerns over “heavy-handed tactics used” to push the legislation.…
A divided House Education Committee has voted 9-7 in favor of HB 590, to establish a new scholarship program for private schools only, to be administered by the State Board of Education. The narrow vote followed two hours of testimony for and against the bill,...
After a lengthy hearing Tuesday, a bill to forgive rural teachers’ student loan debt is headed to the House floor for unspecified amendments, Idaho EdNews reports. Pushed by Rep. Sally Toone, D-Gooding, HB 504 would provide $3,000 per year in student loan forgiveness for up to 500 qualified teachers working in rural...
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, on a unanimous 20-0 vote, has set a budget for Medicaid for next year that’s significantly below Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation, even though it includes two provider rate increases that he hadn’t included in his budget proposal. The main reason for…
There’s lots going on in the Capitol this morning. The House Education Committee is holding a hearing in the Lincoln Auditorium, with an agenda that includes two controversial bills, HB 566, creating a certification system for heads of charter schools that doesn’t require traditional academic…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
