End of Week Update for the Senate (Feb 8, 2013)

We just completed a very full week in the Senate, highlights are provided below... many other bills were printed that might be of more interest to you. I would suggest using the Bill Center webpage at www.legislature.Idaho.gov to review what bills are are discussing. The list is updated daily.

Monday the Senate and House Education Committees announced they would be holding another joint forum open to the public on February 11, 4-6 pm in the Capitol Auditorium. This will be the second time the education committees have requested public input (in addition to their normal committee meetings). This move was made to make sure everyone has an opportunity for input on education reform before votes are cast.

Tuesday the Senate took steps to protect Idaho’s children when the Senate Education Committee voted to introduce a bill that would require school boards to deny enrollment to any convicted felon. The bill would have no impact on those with violent misdemeanors. The move shows that that the Senate takes the protection of Idaho’s children seriously, that bill will be further discussed in Committee and if passed out of Committee, debated on the floor.

Wednesday the Senate approved SCR-103 which approves stakeholders in Idaho to coordinate and send a proposal to the FAA to be selected as one of the six states with an unmanned aircraft system test site. If selected, Idaho would likely see an influx of money and new economic activity. We printed a follow on bill that clearly sets sideboards for public privacy for drone operation, that bill was printed in the Transportation Committee on Friday and will be scheduled for hearing (it was a minor re-write of S1051).

On Thursday the Senate passed SB 1027 which would expand the Opportunity Scholarship program and provide 3,000-4,000 students in college with a $2,000 per year scholarship. The program will make it easier for Idaho students to get a college education. S1042, the Governor’s health exchange bill, was passed out of the Commerce committee on an 8-1 vote and heads to the full Senate floor next week for debate.

Friday we had a pleasant surprise when Idaho Historical Society President Janet Gallimore unveiled a priceless piece of Idaho’s history; the original document where President Lincoln appointed William Wallace as Idaho’s first territorial Governor (you can see pictures of it in my previous posts). The House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees held a joint listening forum that was open to the public so that we could hear, first hand, of what is and isn't working in our H&W system. Meanwhile, on the 4th floor of the Capitol Rotunda we were able to meet and talk with people representing organizations that care for the disabled. Also the Senate State Affairs Committee (at the recommendation of the Associated Cities of Idaho) introduced a resolution recommending marijuana remain illegal, and encouraging the Federal Government to enforce existing substance abuse laws.

I was also pleased that the three bills I presented on the Senate floor on Friday all passed and have now been sent on to the House for consideration. These bills were S1010: streamlining our behavior health system for more efficiencies and focus on needs, S1043: Allowing the placement of a veteran designation on Idaho drivers licenses, and S1044: re-defining a motorcycle from only being up to a 3 wheel vehicle to also allow aftermarket outriggers kits (4 wheels).

Although it was a very busy week, we have much more heavy lifting to do. Debates on our Healthcare Exchange options (our choices are either a Federal one or a State one), Personal Property Tax repeal, School Security and protection of our 2nd Amendment rights are all upcoming (many more bills to be printed).
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