Dear Friends,
We are heading into the last part of the legislative session, but we still have significant issues to resolve. Rebalancing government powers, transportation funding, broadband expansion and tax relief are all working their way through the process.
JFAC is setting budgets and plans to complete their work early next week. The 57th day is the transmittal and target date for all bills to be sent between the Houses of the Legislature. Sometimes, legislation with special permission can be sent to the other House after this date, but the aim is to get the Legislature to Sine Die on time.
Usually, after that time the Legislature will end in two weeks. I serve on two privileged committees (which means bills may still be printed and heard in those committees) and this is the time where legislators find legislation that they feel must be heard. The process requires that they must get unanimous consent from the committee where the bill will be heard to ask for printing from State Affairs or Judiciary & Rules.
We are seeing an increase in election bills this year. Idaho’s election laws have protected our citizens against voter fraud. Our Idaho County Clerks have done an outstanding job protecting our voting rights. It is too bad that other states have not had the voter protection our citizens have received. Many of the bills being presented are clean-ups to language to the already secure Idaho laws.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Senator Abby Lee
