2025 Legislative Session News
Hundreds of Friends, Family and Colleagues Gathered to Celebrate the Life of Sen. Mark Nye
POCATELLO - A bipartisan ensemble of late Sen. Mark Nye’s family, friends and colleagues gathered Saturday, Sept. 17 to celebrate his remarkable life. Hundreds of admirers filled the Barbara J. Marshall Rotunda in the Stephens Performing Arts Center at Idaho State...
Idaho House and Senate Members Comment on the Injunction of the Idaho Abortion Ban
IDAHO STATE CAPITOL — Idaho Democratic lawmakers are relieved the federal court has enjoined the 2020 abortion ban for its clear violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Now Democratic lawmakers call on the Attorney General (AG) and the...
Democratic Legislators Respond to the Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Roe v. Wade
IDAHO STATE CAPITOL – Today is a dark day in the history of our country. The Supreme Court has struck down Roe vs. Wade, meaning millions of women have lost their constitutionally protected right to abortion access. Women in Idaho are among those who have lost this...
Democratic Legislators Respond to Leaked Draft Supreme Court Opinion Striking Down Roe v. Wade
IDAHO STATE CAPITOL — Leaked documents on Monday indicate that a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court is potentially poised to strike down Roe v. Wade, stripping millions of their constitutionally protected right to abortion access. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel...
Bill to Provide In-home Caregivers Property Tax Relief Passes House
On Friday, a bipartisan bill to provide in-home caregivers property tax relief passed the House in a 51-14 vote. Senate Bill 1259, sponsored by Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise), allows a person who owns a certified family home to qualify for the state’s property tax...
Governor Signs Bill to Help Educators in High-need, Rural Areas with Education Costs
On Friday, Gov. Brad Little signed legislation to help educators in high-need and rural areas with various educational costs. Senate Bill 1290, sponsored by Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) and Rep. Sally Toone (D-Gooding), establishes a rural educator incentive...
House GOP kills budget for Idaho Commission for Libraries
On Thursday, a majority of House Republicans voted to defeat the appropriations budget for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. House Bill 824 died in a 33-36 vote. The legislation had been reworked twice, and objections from legislators led to $307,000 being cut from...
Governor Signs Bill to Remove Racially Restrictive Covenants from Home Deeds
Legislation to remove racially restrictive language from property covenants and deeds was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Brad Little. Senate Bill 1240, sponsored by Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise), unanimously passed both the House and Senate. It allows homeowners...
House GOP Fast-tracks Bill Making Sweeping Changes to Judicial Appointment Process
House Republicans fast-tracked a bill to make sweeping changes to the Idaho Judicial Council, which is responsible for delivering a slate of vetted candidates to the governor for judicial appointments, like a supreme court justice or district judge. House Bill 782...
House GOP Again Kills Resolution Honoring Sawtooth National Recreation Area
On Wednesday, House Republicans killed a concurrent resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in a 22-45 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 51 celebrated the federal act that officially preserved the 760,000-acre land in 1972. An...
“We represent Idaho, not the IFF” – by Rep. James Ruchti and Sen. David Nelson
The 2021 session was disappointing for a number of reasons, but the legislature rejecting a $6 million grant to develop early-learning initiatives for children might have been the lowest point. That money would have helped communities build and fund preschool programs...
Idaho House Passes Bipartisan Joint Memorial Condemning Russian Invasion of Ukraine
On Wednesday, the Idaho House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan joint memorial condemning Russia for its military invasion of Ukraine, which began last Thursday. House Joint Memorial 6, sponsored by Reps. Matt Bundy (R-Mountain Home) and Colin Nash...
Bill to Help Educators in High-need, Rural Areas with Education Costs Passes Senate
On Friday, the Senate passed a bill to help educators in high-need and rural areas with various educational costs. Senate Bill 1290, sponsored by Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) and Rep. Sally Toone (D-Gooding), establishes a rural educator incentive program for...
Bill to Allow Schools to Use Federal Funds to Buy Low, Zero Emission Buses Passes Senate
On Friday, a bill enabling Idaho school districts to access federal funding to purchase low or zero emission school buses unanimously passed the Senate. Senate Bill 1319, sponsored by Sen. David Nelson (D-Moscow), fixes a flaw in state code that was a barrier for...
Bill to Provide Property Tax Relief for In-home Caregivers Passes the Senate
On Tuesday, a bill to provide in-home caregivers property tax relief passed the Senate in a 29-5 vote. Senate Bill 1259, sponsored by Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise), would allow a person who is the owner of a certified family home to qualify for the state’s property...
Concurrent Resolution to Combat Childhood Trauma Passes Both Chambers
On Friday, the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution aimed at combating childhood trauma. House Concurrent 29, sponsored by Rep. Brooke Green (D-Boise) and Sen. David Nelson (D-Moscow), passed the full House earlier this month, and encourages state officers,...
“All Idaho Children Deserve Safe, Well-funded School Facilities” – by Sen. David Nelson
Idaho public schools are the backbone of our local communities. But for many districts, facilities are crumbling due to age and a lack of resources needed to make repairs. This issue is further compounded by Idaho’s extreme population growth in recent years, leading...
House Dems Back Motion to Amend Bill to Increase Grocery Tax Credit
Idaho House Democrats supported a motion to send House Bill 509 to general orders, where legislation can be amended. The motion failed on a 26-41vote. The bill, which later passed the House, increases the grocery tax credit by $20 per person starting in the 2023 tax...