We had all hoped that Week 11 would bring the 2023 Legislative Session to a close, but we will be heading into Week 12 to wrap things up. There are still some very critical issues that need to be addressed prior to wrapping up this session, but let’s take a look at a few of the issues we saw in the People’s House in Week 11.
Big WINS and Some Losses:
S 1100aa Amendment Engrossment 1 sponsored by Representative Hill and Senator Ben Adams adds to existing law to establish privacy and safety standards in public schools. It was introduced February 13th in Senate Education and reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation on the 24th. February 28th, it was referred to 14th Order for amendment. On March 7th, it was then placed in the Committee of the Whole. March 9th, it was passed on the Senate floor 28-7-0. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Dunn(Carlson), Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Schroeder, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Just, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow.
Passed out of Education Committee on the 15th and sent to the House floor (Rules Suspended) PASSED – 59-10-1. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Berch, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Cheatum, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Gallagher, Garner, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Burns, Chew, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Mathias(Woodings), Nash, Necochea, Roberts, Rubel and Absent – Miller. Berch was the one Democrat that voted in favor of this legislation.
It was reported delivered to Governor at 8:58 a.m. on 03/21/23 and signed by the Governor on 03/23/23.
The following is part of this legislation: There are real and inherent physical differences between men and women; Every person has a natural right to privacy and safety in restrooms and changing facilities where such person might be in a partial or full state of undress in the presence of others; This natural right especially applies to students using public school restrooms and changing facilities where student privacy and safety is essential to providing a safe learning environment for all students; Requiring students to share restrooms and changing facilities with members of the opposite biological sex generates potential embarrassment, shame, and psychological injury to students, as well as increasing the likelihood of sexual assault, molestation, rape, voyeurism, and exhibitionism; Providing separate public school restrooms and changing facilities for the different biological sexes is a long-standing and widespread practice protected by federal law, state law, and case law; Federal legislative action, federal executive action, and federal court judgments that prevent public schools from maintaining separate restrooms and changing facilities for different biological sexes are inconsistent with the United States constitution and violate the privacy and safety rights of students; and A statewide policy ensuring separate school restrooms and changing facilities on the basis of biological sex is substantially related to the important governmental interest in protecting the privacy and safety of all students.
H 163 sponsored by Representative Boyle and Senator Toews amends existing law to provide for certain disclosures and school policies. It passed House Education on February 22nd and then passed the House floor on February 27th with a vote of 67-3-0. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Berch, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley(Crawford), Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Burns, Nash, Necochea. It was then passed out of the Senate Education Committee on March 3rd and then passed the Senate floor March 13th with a vote of 34-0-1. AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Just, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Winder, Wintrow, Zuiderveld and NAYS – None and Absent and excused – Adams.
It was delivered to Governor at 11 a.m. on March 16, 2023 and signed by the Governor on March 22, 2023. It goes into effective on July 1, 2023. The following are just a few of the rights covered in this legislation (You can click on the bill number above to go to the actual bill text.): The reinforcement of the fundamental rights and responsibilities of parents as primary stakeholders to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of the parent’s child. A public school shall not adopt procedures, policies, or student support forms that prohibit public school personnel from notifying a parent or legal guardian about a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being or a change in related services or monitoring or that encourage or have the effect of encouraging a student to withhold from a parent or legal guardian such information. At the start of the school year, each public school shall notify parents and legal guardians of health services offered or made available through the school or by private organizations, including preventative health and wellness services, screenings, medication administration, first aid and emergency care, and appropriate management of all health conditions with parental consent.
S 1005 sponsored by Senator Herndon and Representative Redman amends existing law to require that daycare facilities provide citation to the immunization exemption law in communications with parents. Passed out of Senate Health & Welfare February 3rd and passed on the Senate floor February 9th 34-0-1. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Just, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Schroeder, Taylor, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Winder, Wintrow, Zuiderveld and NAYS – None and Absent and excused – Semmelroth. This legislation passed our of House Health & Welfare March 2nd and passed the House floor March 14th after being held for a few days. The vote was 66-4-0.
AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Berch, Burns, Nash, Necochea.
It was reported delivered to Governor at 8:15 a.m. on 03/17/23 and reported signed by the Governor on 03/20/23. It becomes effective 07/01/2023.
H 092 sponsored by Representative Petzke and adds to existing law to require financial literacy courses in certain grades. Passed the House 67-0-3. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Berch, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Burns, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew(Hoy), Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw(Yorgason), Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Necochea, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – None and Absent – Mathias, Nash, Weber. It then passed the Senate 34-0-1. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Dunn(Carlson), Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Just, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Winder, Wintrow, Zuiderveld and NAYS – None and Absent and excused – Ruchti.
It was delivered to Governor at 12:25 p.m. on March 15, 2023 and reported signed by Governor on March 20, 2023. It becomes effective 07/01/2023.
H 228 sponsored by Representative Ehardt and Senator Cindy Carlson amends existing law to revise definitions. According to the Statement of Purpose, “This legislation provides an official definition for abstinence. This definition aligns with the federal government’s definition which has been officially used since before 1981. It also aligns with our own statute found in 33-1608 which deals with Family life and Sex Education.” It was first introduced in House Education February 27th and passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation March 7th. It passed the House (Rules Suspended) March 8th with a vote of 57-11-2. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Cheatum, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Gallagher, Garner, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Berch, Burns, Chew, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Mathias, Nash, Necochea, Roberts, Rubel and Absent – Crane(13), Vander Woude. It was received by the Senate on March 9th but didn’t received a hearing until March 16th when it passed out of Senate Education with a do pass recommendation (6-1, Ward-Engelking against). It passed the Senate floor with a vote of 23-11-1. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Harris, Hart, Herndon, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Guthrie, Hartgen, Jones(Rabe), Just, Lee, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow and Absent and excused – Ricks. This much needed legislation is headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed!
H 341 sponsored by Representative Jaron Crane and Representative Bruce Skaug amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise a provision regarding interstate trafficking in prostitution, to provide for the crime of receiving proceeds of illegal sexual activity, and to provide for human trafficking victim protection. It passed the House floor 68-0-2. AYES – Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Berch, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Burns, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nash, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – None and Absent – Alfieri, Necochea. It was then introduced in Senate Judiciary & Rules.
H 179 sponsored by Representative Hawkins and Senator Zuiderveld adds to existing law to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting in Idaho. It was passed out of House State Affairs and then passed out of the House floor with a vote of 56-12-2. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Berch, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Gallagher, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Burns, Cheatum, Chew, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Manwaring, Mathias, Necochea, Nelsen, Roberts, Rubel and Absent – Green, Nash. It was then passed out of Senate State Affairs and then passed out of the Senate floor with a vote of 28-7-0. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Schroeder, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Just, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow.
It was delivered to Governor at 11 a.m. on March 23, 2023 and it waiting to be signed.
H 156 sponsored by Representative Boyle and Senator Carlson amends existing law to classify rattlesnakes as predatory wildlife. It was passed out of House Resources & Conservation and then passed off of the House floor with a vote of 55-14-1. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Gallagher, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley(Crawford), Lambert, Manwaring, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Berch, Burns, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Lanting, Nash, Necochea, Nelsen, Petzke, Roberts, Rubel and Absent – Mathias. It was then passed out of the Senate Resources & Environment Committee and sent to the Senate floor where it passed 19-15-1. AYES – Anthon, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Toews, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Adams, Bernt, Hartgen, Herndon, Just, Lee, Lent, Rabe, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Trakel, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow and Absent and excused – Lakey.
It was delivered to Governor at 11 a.m. on March 23, 2023 and is waiting to be signed.
H 066a Amendment Engrossed 1 sponsored by Representative Scott and Senator Herndon adds to existing law to provide that reporting child abuse, abandonment, or neglect falsely is a misdemeanor. Passed out Judiciary, Rules & Administration and passed the House 56-12-2. It passed the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee and then went to the Senate floor where it was referred to 14th Order for amendment. It was amended and passed the Senate 34-0-1. It was returned to the House and went through the process of returning to the House floor where the amended Senate version passed (Rules Suspended) 67-1-2. H 066a was delivered to Governor at 4:20 p.m. on March 20, 2023 and is waiting to be signed.
H 022a Amendment Engrossment 1 sponsored by Representative Skaug and Senator Toews adds to existing law to provide for the withholding of sales and use tax from city and county governments in certain instances. Passed out of House Revenue & Taxation in January and then passed on the House floor 53-13-4. It was sent to Senate Local Government & Taxation where it was reported out of committee and sent to the 14th Order for amendment. On March 9th, it was passed in the Senate 28-7-0. It was then sent back to the House where it went through the process of returning to the House floor for a vote on the amended bill. The bill passed the House (Rules Suspended) 56-13-1. H 022a was delivered to Governor at 4:20 p.m. on March 20, 2023 and is waiting to be signed.
H 339 sponsored by Representative McCann provides for an advisory question to be placed on the ballot before the voters regarding the diversion of public tax dollars for certain private schools. The RS was introduced a couple of times in House Education. The debate on this bill was quite lengthy and led to it failing on the House floor with a vote of 27-43-0. AYES – Berch, Blanksma, Bundy, Burns, Cheatum, Chew, Dixon(24), Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Lanting, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Nash, Necochea, Nelsen, Petzke, Raybould, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Weber, Wheeler, Yamamoto and NAYS – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Boyle, Cannon, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Gallagher, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Manwaring, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Pickett, Price, Raymond, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Wisniewski, Wroten, Young, Mr. Speaker and Absent – None. The bill, having failed, was filed in Office of the Chief Clerk.
H 313 sponsored by Representative McCann adds to existing law to require the provision of feminine hygiene products. McCann had to introduce this RS a couple of times in House Educations. This first time she introduced it, she accidentally brought up the “Aunt Flow” company. It concerned some legislators and led me to do some research. The purpose of this legislation is for all public schools and public charter schools to require feminine hygiene products, free of charge, to all female students in sixth through twelfth grades. The total cost is $735,400, which consists of $435,000 for product dispensers and $300,400 for products, calculated at $3.50 per student for 85,825 female students. The cost will be covered by an increase in discretionary funding. Who has their checkbook? How about liability? What if just one girl ends up with toxicity from one tampon? Will the tax payers be liable?
Baldwin Wallace University Student Body President, Ally Crays praised the Aunt Flow Company as she shares why she brought it to her campus, “My inspiration for this project came from the notion of wanting to improve access to education and gender equity at my University. During my term as Student Body President, one of my broad initiatives was to increase access to education for disenfranchised or underrepresented populations on campus. I already had begun to grow more passionate about this during my personal menstrual justice journey and decided to bring it to campus. I saw it as an issue that wasn’t being talked about on campus. There was no discussion of how lack of access to products for all people who menstruate affects access to education and their self-esteem.” She continued, “They have also praised us placing some dispensers in gender neutral restrooms, and suggested placing them in men’s restrooms as well, which is on our list of things to do.”
Menstrual equity seems to be a somewhat new phrase in our country and there is a definite agenda that is clear in gender identity issues. This term was started by Jennifer Weiss Wolf in 2015 in an attempt to pass policy in as many states as possible. She wrote a book in 2017 titles, “Periods Gone Public,” where she attempts to explain that we need laws to ensure menstrual products are available for everyone “in order for us to have a fully equitable an participatory society.”
The Aunt Flow site provide an ACLU equity framework toolkit for states to create public policy to address this agenda, making menstrual products available for everyone who needs them. The toolkit gives them key arguments and materials to advance menstrual equity in their state. It has sample legislation and policy language, as well as a library of other resources they may need to pass this legislation. They were behind the legislation in New York City in 2016, which focused on the city’s shelters, schools, and jails.
As you continue to search the Aunt Flow site, you can see that they focus on their language and they have a definite agenda. They stress, “Many period products on the market still use gendered language which can alienate transgender and non-binary people. That’s why we refer to all pads and tampons as ‘period products,’ rather than ‘feminine hygiene products,’ in hopes of creating more inclusive and kinder spaces.” “It’s a small, but meaningful step to help make the world better for people with periods.” H 313 is concerning to me as the presentations seemed to push a larger agenda. I used this same example last week, however I believe it is important enough to readdress because the reason the legislation was brought to Idaho was by no mistake. WE WILL SEE THIS LEGISLATION AGAIN! ALTHOUGH THIS BILL FAILED IN 2023, WE MUST PAY ATTENTION FOR FUTURE ATTEMPTS TO BRINGS THIS BACK.
H 314 sponsored by Representative Jaron Crane and Senator Cindy Carlson amends and adds to existing law to prohibit certain materials from being promoted, given, or made available to a minor by a school or public library and to provide a cause of action. It was introduced and received a hearing in House State Affairs where it passed 11-2 along party lines. It passed the House floor 40-30-0. AYES – Alfieri, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Cannon, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Gallagher, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Mendive, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Allgood, Berch, Bundy, Burns, Cheatum, Chew, Dixon(24), Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Nash, Necochea, Nelsen, Petzke, Raymond, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Wroten, Yamamoto. It was passed out of Senate State Affairs and was sent to the 14th Order for amendment. It will most likely be heard first thing this upcoming week.
The concerns to the amending of H 314 are S 1187 and S 1188 , which passed out of Senate State Affairs on Friday and are also in the 14th Order for amendment. S 1187 sponsored by Senator Winder amends and adds to existing law to revise an affirmative defense regarding disseminating material harmful to minors and to provide for the establishment of provisions regarding policies to protect minors from harmful materials. S 1188 sponsored by Senator Winder amends existing law to provide that certain institutions may be enjoined for selling, distributing, or promoting material harmful to minors and to provide for the abrogation of existing ordinances, rules, and regulations. There was very little notice and time for the public to testify on these two senate bills. This issue of harmful materials for minors has been one of the most important topics during this legislative session. The public is waiting to see what this upcoming week will bring. The best case scenario is for all 3 of these bills to pass the Senate as they are not in conflict of one another. None of these bill ask for censorship or book banning! H 314 simply allows for civil cause if the library distributes harmful materials to a minor. S 1187 closes the loophole that currently allows libraries and schools to distribute sexually explicit or harmful materials to minors. S 1188 allow injunctions against government entities that distribute harmful materials to minors. This closes that loophole for schools, libraries, health districts, etc.
H 071a Amendment sponsored by Representative Bruce Skaug and Senator Lori Den Hartog adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding vulnerable child protection. It was passed out of House Judiciary, Rules & Administration on February 8th with a do pass recommendation. It was held on the House floor until Tuesday, February 14, 2023 when it received a vote of 58-12-0. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Gallagher, Garner, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw(Yorgason), Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Berch, Bundy, Burns, Chew, Galaviz, Gannon, Green, Mathias, Nash, Necochea, Roberts, Rubel. The bill was then referred to Senate Judiciary & Rules February 15th. It was reported out of that committee on March 20th, more than a month later and sent to the 14th Order for amendment. On March 22nd, it was placed in the Committee of the Whole and amendments were ordered printed. It has been reported out as amended and filed for first reading. Amendments have been reported printed, it was read for the first time as amended in the Senate, and filed for Second Reading. On March 23rd, it was read for the second time as amended in the Senate and then filed for the Third Reading. H 071a should be heard and voted on in the Senate any day now. If it passes in the Senate, it will need to go back to the House floor and pass as amended in the Senate.
H 281 Representative Erikson and Senator VanOrden THIS BILL LEGISLATES PRIVATE SCHOOLS!!!! It passed the House (Rules Suspended) 45-22-3. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Berch, Blanksma, Bundy, Burns, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Healey, Horman, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Nash, Necochea, Nelsen, Petzke, Pickett, Raybould, Raymond, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Weber, Wheeler, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young and NAYS – Andrus, Barbieri, Boyle, Crane(12), Dixon(1), Gallagher, Hawkins, Hill, Holtzclaw, Kingsley, Lambert, Mendive, Monks, Palmer, Price, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Wisniewski, Mr. Speaker and Absent – Crane(13), Furniss, Vander Woude.
Then it was presented in Senate Education. There were quite a lot of questions regarding the involvement of private schools and lack of parental consent. Senator Herndon motions to move to the 14th Order to Amend to remove private schools. Nichols seconds the motion and speaks to informed consent needing to be added into the policy. Senator Toews speaks to being on the same page and the importance of parents signing off on this policy. “Critical legislation but parental consent and removing private schools is very important”, he adds. Senator Lori Den Hartog added that H 163 might be able to cover this issue for parental consent. She wasn’t sure, but she was going to look into it. She isn’t too worried about private schools being included. The vote was unanimous to send H 281 to the 14th Order. This bill is still awaiting the 14th Order Amending Calendar in the Senate.
H 292 sponsored by Representative Monks and Senator Grow amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to create property tax relief by creating the School District Facilities Fund and the Homeowner Property Tax Relief Account, both of which are funded by state moneys. It was reported out of Revenue & Taxation with a do pass recommendation and passed on the House floor (Rules Suspended) 63-7-0. It was referred to the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee where it was reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation. It passed the Senate floor with a vote of 32-3-0. H 292 was delivered to Governor at 2:35 p.m. on March 22, 2023 and is waiting to be signed.
H 182a Amendment sponsored by Representative Ehardt adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding prayer. It passed out of House State Affairs and was sent to the House floor where it passed 65-4-1. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley(Crawford), Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nash, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Berch, Burns, Necochea, Roberts and Absent – Green. It then passed Senate State Affairs where it was sent to the 14th Order for amendment. It passed the Senate as amended 26-8-1. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Jones(Rabe), Just, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow and Absent and excused – Ricks. It will now be returned to the House where it will need to be voted on as amended in the Senate.
H 309 sponsored by Representative Lanting amends existing law to provide that no in-person student instruction shall take place on certain election days. Introduced March 13th in House Education and received and hearing and passed out of committee March 15th with a vote of 14-2 (Price and Hawkins voting against it). This hearing in House Education was interesting. There was quite a lot of testifying done by a committee member. She was speaking for her family member. There was also a committee member that said, ” Kids are safer in school than they are at home.” The bill passed on the House floor (Rules Suspended) 37-32-1. AYES – Allgood, Berch, Bundy, Burns, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(13), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hill, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias(Woodings), McCann, Mickelsen, Nash, Nelsen, Petzke, Pickett, Raybould, Raymond, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Weber, Wheeler, Wroten, Yamamoto and NAYS – Alfieri, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Cannon, Crane(12), Dixon(1), Ehardt, Gallagher, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Mendive, Mitchell, Monks, Necochea, Palmer, Price, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Wisniewski, Young, Mr. Speaker and Absent – Miller. It is still awaiting a hearing in Senate Education.
S 1161 sponsored by Senator Lori Den Hartog, Senator Chuck Winder, and Representative Wendy Horman amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding the Empowering Parents Program and to provide for tuition grants. It was introduced March 10th, passed out oh the Senate Education Committee March 15th, and passed by the Senate (Rules Suspended) 19-15-1. AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Carlson, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Harris, Herndon, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Adams, Burtenshaw, Cook, Guthrie, Hartgen, Just, Lee, Lent, Rabe, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow and Absent and excused – Hart.
It was sent to the House March 17th and referred to the House Education Committee on March 20th.
S 1015 sponsored by Representative Lanting and Senator Toews amends existing law to limit applicability to full-time students. Passed the Senate Education Committee and then passed the Senate floor 29-6-0. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hartgen, Just, Lakey, Lee, Lent, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Winder, Wintrow and NAYS – Foreman, Hart, Herndon, Lenney, Nichols, Zuiderveld. It passed House Education and then passed the House floor with a vote of 46-23-1. AYES – Allgood, Andrus, Berch, Blanksma, Bundy, Burns, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Healey, Hill, Horman, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Nash, Necochea, Nelsen, Petzke, Pickett, Raybould, Raymond, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wroten, Yamamoto, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Barbieri, Boyle, Cannon, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Ehardt, Gallagher, Hawkins, Holtzclaw, Kingsley, Lambert, Mendive, Monks, Palmer, Price, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Wisniewski, Young and Absent – Alfieri.
It was reported delivered to Governor at 8:25 a.m. on 03/24/23 and is waiting to be signed.
S 1127 sponsored by Senator Cook and Representative Horman adds to existing law to designate Oryctodromeus as the state dinosaur. It passed out of Senate State Affairs with a so pass recommendation and then passed the Senate floor with a vote of 35-0-0. AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Hartgen, Herndon, Just, Lakey, Lee, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Schroeder, Semmelroth, Taylor, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Winder, Wintrow, Zuiderveld. This dinosaur bill passed House State Affairs with a do pass recommendation and was sent to the House floor where is passed 61-2-7. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Berch, Blanksma, Bundy, Burns, Cannon, Cheatum, Chew, Clow, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Lanting, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nash, Necochea, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Roberts, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young and NAYS – Skaug, Mr. Speaker and Absent – Andrus, Barbieri, Boyle, Dixon(1), Ehardt, Hill, Mendive.
It is waiting to be signed by the Governor.
H 133 DRIVER EDUCATION sponsored by Representative Mendive and Senator Bjerke WOULD HAVE amended existing law to allow private parental driver’s education. IT PASSED TRANSPORTATION AND DEFENSE. PASSED THE HOUSE 61-8-1. AYES – Alfieri, Allgood, Andrus, Barbieri, Blanksma, Boyle, Bundy, Cannon, Chew, Clow, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dixon(1), Dixon(24), Durrant, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Galaviz, Gallagher, Gannon, Garner, Handy, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Kingsley, Lambert, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nash, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Roberts, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner, Vander Woude, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Wroten, Yamamoto, Young, Mr. Speaker and NAYS – Berch, Burns, Cheatum, Green, Lanting, Necochea, Rubel, Sauter and Absent – Cornilles. IT PASSED SENATE TRANSPORTATION. PASSED THE SENATE 23-12-0. AYES – Adams, Bernt, Bjerke, Den Hartog, Dunn(Carlson), Foreman, Grow, Guthrie, Hart, Herndon, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Semmelroth, Taylor, Toews, Trakel, VanOrden, Winder, Zuiderveld and NAYS – Anthon, Burtenshaw, Cook, Harris, Hartgen, Just, Lee, Rabe, Ruchti, Schroeder, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow.
It was delivered to Governor at 12:25 p.m. on March 15, 2023 and returned from Governor vetoed on March 21, 2023. The veto SUSTAINED by House with Ayes 39 Nays 29 Abs/Excd 2.
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST…WATCH FOR ABORTION BILLS, MRNA BILLS, AND LAST MINUTES BILLS FLYING THROUGH COMMITTEES AND ACROSS THE FLOOR.
I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP MY EYE ON THE PROPOSED RULES GOING THROUGH EDUCATION! We were successful in getting them to reject Docket 08-0111-2201 (just the portion involving the Western Governors University) AND Dockets 08-0204-2201 AND Docket 08-0301-2201. The docket highlighted in orange was the worst of the worst and they rejected the whole docket! WIN, WIN! The process is to now put together a concurrent resolution rejecting those rules. It takes both the House and the Senate to reject the same rules OR THEY BECOME LAW. SUPER, DUPER DANGEROUS! They did approve omitting “his” and “her”. I continue to be very disappointed and stand behind my belief that there is an agenda behind their “Red Tape Reduction Act”. I do NOT believe that there is no intent in removing these words. There most definitely is intent and the intent is GENDER NEUTRALITY.
Lanting made it clear that he hates pronoun police, etc, etc. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE CHAIR but to no surprise, it wasn’t. Berch was all upset over the politics around the one word “equity”. It amazes me how some days they really want words to matter and then other days they are quite bothered by the fact that words matter. Anyway, the worst of the worst docket was completely rejected by a 12-4 vote. Those that were for rejecting the rules were McCann, Clow, Mendive, Ehardt, Price, Wisniewski, Garner, Hawkins, Hill, Sauter, Yamamoto, Nelsen. Those against rejecting those rules were Lanting and the 3 Democrats. A few examples of what was in the rejected docket were: the equitable selection process for charter schools; omitting parents in 3 sections and making us legal guardian; inserting the use of “gender” which is NOT in Idaho code; students “identified” as…(You gotta love data collection. Who is doing the identifying? Once a child is identified, can they ever be unidentified?).
We will see if this House Concurrent Resolution makes its way through the Ways & Means Committee, House floor, Senate Education Committee, and then Senate floor this week prior to sine die. If all of these steps don’t take place with successful votes, these rules become policy and therefore, law.
REMINDERS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK:
- Please pray for all of our leaders and their families.
- My new phrase – “Your enemy is not my enemy.” I learned this from a very wise friend. We need to stop judging people for who they speak with because relationships are important.
- Seek TRUTH! Please do not believe what you see or hear in social media or on TV. Communication is key!
- Relationships are important! You never know where someone has come from, what they have gone through, or what they are facing…BE KIND.
- Calvary Chapel Mountain Heights AWARE Conference Biblical Citizenship & Liberty for Idaho is April 2, 2023 from 1-5PM @ Sawtooth Middle School in Meridian
- Idaho GOP Events website hosts the information for Lincoln Days across the state.
- ADMINISTRATIVE RULES -VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW!
- Idaho Session – A great site for following the 2023 Legislative Session
- Legislation by Number
- Legislation by Topic
- Senate Link
- House Link
- Testifying before Committees
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!!