Steve Miller’s 2015 Legislative Update
For Week 8 Ending March 6, 2015
Current
The intensity of the Education and Transportation bills is increasing. There is a push to cut $10 million out of the K-12 education bill. As of Friday, the ladder was not firmed up, especially with a $10 million cut. It usually comes down to the last few days for the final agreements to be made, but this year, some of the groups lobbied so hard early, their constituents will be slow to adapt to the compromises necessary to make a deal. Personally, I’d rather see it put off till next year so we have broad base agreement in a new plan. We could easily do a 3% increase in salary and do the ladder next year. While it’s not everyone’s desire, it would result in better legislation. We’ll see transportation bills this coming week. I still prefer user fees but we’ll see everything.
The Week
Micron Technology
Micron sponsored a technology reception in the top of the Zion’s Bank building.
Dairymen’s Legislative Dinner
The Dairymen had a very nice dinner at the Boise Center. It was good to see everyone there and to bring home some of Steve Ballard’s cheese. Thanks Steve!
Little Women
Little Women was presented by BSU and I attended Friday night. It was an amusing play and they presented it well.
Governor’s Prayer Breakfast
The guest speaker was Ken Blanchard who has a tremendous background and is a prolific writer best known for “The One Minute Manager”. It was an excellent presentation. Governor Otter did a wrap up covering a number of areas.
House Session & Votes
There were morning and afternoon sessions this week. That allowed processing of 68 bills on the floor this week. It started with H154, chemical abortion, which requires a physician to conduct examination and counseling prior to abortion-inducing drugs. It passed 55-14-1. This precludes mail order abortions. One of the remarkable statistics was that 1 out of 3 women will have an abortion by age 45. That’s amazing if true. There were a number of bills that corrected or made minor changes in existing legislation.
Limited Convention act
H67, the limited convention act, received much debate and passed 38-32-0. The bill calls for congress to call an Article V constitutional convention limited to the consideration of a single amendment. There are some who fear that a convention could get out of control. In other words, propose amendments detrimental to their political beliefs. I would remind them, it takes 34 states to call a constitutional convention and it takes 38 states to ratify an amendment. That means it only takes 13 states to defeat an amendment. I find it highly unlikely that there are not 13 states with enough common sense to defeat a damaging amendment. This is a time for boldness and courage, not fear.
H100 reduced the Legislators PERCI benefits. I voted against this bill not because I’m concerned about PERCI benefits, but because the Idaho Constitution says legislators should not vote on their compensation. Article III, Section 23. COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS. The legislature shall have no authority to establish the rate of its compensation and expense by law. There is hereby authorized the creation of the citizens committee on legislative compensation, which shall consist of six members, three to be appointed by the governor and three to be appointed by the supreme court, whose terms of office and qualifications shall be as provided by law. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty clear. The bill passed 38-32-3. Read all section 23 at http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/IC/ArtIIISect23.htm.
Idaho Day
Rep Bateman (photo) presented HCR 15 Statehood Anniversary and the first Idaho Day was presented in the House. Turns out there was a bill passed through congress to give north Idaho to Washington and south Idaho to Nevada. Governor Edward Stevenson persuaded President Grover Cleveland to preserve Idaho. The time was an interesting combination of history and presentations. There was a presentation by the Vice Chair (photo) and dancing by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
The House Session may be viewed live at: http://www.idahoptv.org/insession/leg.cfm
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
The week started with the Health & Welfare Medical Assistance Services budget of $2,103,501,600 which includes state and federal funding. Roughly 1/3 of Idaho’s total spending. Almost $3.4 billion was appropriated this week in 37 motions. These will be bills that originate in the House and the Senate.
You may view the budget setting sequence schedule at http://legislature.idaho.gov/budget/JFAC/BudgetSetting.pdf.
The JFAC meetings may be viewed live at: http://www.idahoptv.org/insession/leg.cfm
Agricultural Affairs Committee
There were presentations by the Idaho wheat Commission (wheat is Idaho’s 2nd largest crop) and the Barley Commission. There was approximately $65 million dollars of malt barley damaged or lost during the rains last fall.
The Ag committee meetings convene at 1.30 PM on even numbered days and can be viewed live at: http://www.idahoptv.org/insession/leg.cfm
Resources and Conservation Committee
Resources heard 7 bills and sent them to the floor. They ranged from continuing the endowment committee to water district operations to land board exchanges.
You may view the full list of bills at http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2015/minidata.htm
Bills
There were 68 bills passed this week. Here are some highlights:
H154 Requiring a doctors presence for chemical abortions. 55-14-1
H67 Limited Convention Act 38-32-0
H100 PERCI for legislators 38-29-3
H69 Removes sunset from S1147 ending master agreements (evergreen) 69-1-0
H77 prohibits minors using tanning devices without parental consent 47-23-0
H149 Allow open pricing for contact lenses. 40-29-1
H156 allow Counties more latitude in best interest bidding on personal property 65-0-5
H137aa change law to protect sheriffs and city police officers regarding rule 80 64-0-6
You may view the full list of bills at http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2015/minidata.htm and the bill status at http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2015/WeeklyBillStatus.pdf
It has been my honor to serve as your Representative in the Idaho House of Representatives and look forward to returning this fall. Please forward this update to anyone you feel would be interested in receiving it. If you would like to be added to or removed from the email list, please let me know at smiller@safelink.net.
Representative Steven Miller
Idaho State Capitol
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0038
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Representative Steve Miller
Legislative District 26 Seat A
Blaine, Camas, Gooding, and Lincoln Counties
