Idaho State Capitol – On Tuesday, Governor Little vetoed HB 340, which would have allowed residential alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs for juveniles to operate without a license. All the House and Senate Democrats voted against the bill while it was making its way through the legislature. “We are deeply disappointed that the Governor chose to sign HB 440, …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Wednesday, Representative Jake Ellis’/(D-Boise) Idaho Medal of Honor legislation passed the House floor with a 65-1 vote. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Senate bill 1355 would streamline the process of giving an Idaho Medal of Honor to Idaho law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service providers …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Wednesday, a bill to ban the participation of transgender athletes in girls sports passed the House. The legislation would require female athletes to undergo DNA analysis and an invasive internal and external examination of reproductive organs in order to participate in high school sports. Currently, the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) has policies in …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, a bill to create a Too Great for Hate license plate passed the Senate floor with 28-7 vote. The legislation now heads to the House for a full hearing in committee. The revenue from the license plate will go to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights to expand and sustain educational programs at the …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, Representative Melissa Wintrow/(D-Boise) announced that she will run for the open Senate seat in District 19 in the upcoming 2020 election. Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb/(D-Boise) announced on February 17, 2020 that she will not run for re-election to the Idaho Senate, leaving her seat open. Rep. Wintrow is currently serving her third term in the …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Friday, House Judiciary and Rules sent Representative Melissa Wintrow’s/(D-Boise) Landlord and Tenant Rights bill to the House floor with strong support. The legislation would establish reasonable limits on fees and assessments to ensure housing is available for all Idahoans. Under the proposed legislation, prior to the refund of any security deposit, a landlord will be …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Friday, House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration voted to send H466 to the House floor. The proposed legislation would set a minimum age of marriage at 16 and require parental consent for any child to get married at the age of 16 or 17. Representative Melissa Wintrow/(D-Boise) voted for the legislation but expressed her desire to …
Continue reading
“Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.” That quote from Maya Angelou perfectly captures my feelings as I announce the end of my legislative tenure. I will not run for reelection in 2020. It has been an honor to serve the state of Idaho and its citizens during my ten years in the Idaho Legislature, two years in the House …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Wednesday, House Health and Welfare printed a joint memorial sponsored by Representative Jake Ellis/(D-Boise). The memorial calls on Idaho’s congressional delegation to “take action necessary to make Suboxone more accessible to Idaho families facing opioid addiction.” Suboxone is a medication that satiates cravings by filling opioid receptors and is effective when part of MAT (medication …
Continue reading
Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, Senate Judiciary and Rules printed Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb’s/(D-Boise) Fair Chance Employment legislation. The bill, sometimes called Ban the Box, would ask employers to eliminate the box on job applications that asks, “Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?” Sen. Buckner-Webb has been working on this issue for several years, but she is …
Continue reading