Current
There are more bills coming out of committees, and some are sparking lively conversations.
H415 would allow K-12 school employees with an enhanced concealed carry permit to carry
concealed weapons and act as an armed protection force within the confines of the school or on school property. An employee may carry and engage in a lethal threat situation by their discretion. The principal and Superintendent must be advised if an employee intends to carry a concealed weapon in the school. This information is shared with local law enforcement, the county sheriff and state police to assist them in the exercise of their duties. There is much discussion about safety, training and potential interference with law enforcement. One school district in Magic Valley is concerned about potential insurance problems. Bill List
This reminds me of the debate concerning concealed carryon college and university campuses. Thus far, none of those concerns have been realized.
This bill, like many bills, does things you like and some you worry about. I think the question is this, if someone were planning a school shooting, would they be more likely or less likely to do so if they knew that school employees might be carrying concealed weapons? If the event did take place, would there be less students injured?
There is a mandatory minimum for fentanyl in H406. It adds fentanyl to the existing mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws including heroin, meth, and cocaine. It is the weight of the drug in possession that determines the difference between a user and a dealer. The intent is to detour those who would manufacture, deliver, or sell these drugs in Idaho with mandatory sentences. Defense attorneys are concerned that it is not just the weight of the fentanyl but the combined weight of the substance in question. For example, a relatively small amount of marijuana laced with fentanyl would exceed the weight limits for fentanyl and would result in a mandatory sentence. The bill passed out of Jude & Rules 16-2. Bill List
The Governor’s school facilities bill should come out next week. The funding will be based on average daily attendance (ADA). There are 13 school districts and charter schools in LD 24 so this has a significant impact on our district.
Millertime
Every Friday the District 24, 25 and 26 legislators have a conference call with the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce and later with the Superintendents of schools. It is an opportunity to keep everyone up to date on what’s going on and hear about concerns and needs regarding legislation and agency activities.
I had an interesting zoom call with the Balanced Budget Amendment Group and Sen Larry Craig. There is a resolution coming requesting an Article 5 convention for a balance budget amendment. It requires 2/3 or 33 states to request a convention. At that point, congress counts and compares the state applications to see if they are all the same. If they are the same, congress sets a date, location and topic for the convention. Each state then commissions delegates. Many states have a recall method and legal penalties for delegates that go beyond discussions within the topic of the convention. When the convention convenes, officers are elected, rules are adopted, and debate begins. A majority of states are required to propose an amendment. The amendment is sent to congress who could then pass the amendment or send it to the states for ratification. It takes ¾ or 38 states to ratify an amendment. Apparently, an Article 5 amendment has never been successful. Congress tends to act if enough states approve an application. There are21 states that have passed balance budget amendment resolutions. There are 29 states with Republican legislatures so it would only take 3 more to put congress in the cross hairs!
It is a busy time in Boise and there is nothing scheduled in the district for next week. Please let me know if you would like to host a meeting in your home or schedule a townhall meeting. Please let me know if you plan to be at the Capitol. I would be happy to meet with you and help with whatever you need.
The Week
You see just about everything in the Capitol. A few days ago this couple was married in the 1st floor rotunda.
H419 was introduced on Monday. The bill is designed to require integrity and cost savings in Medicaid by limiting them to those who truly need help. The objective is to introduce conditions and move able-bodied Medicaid enrollees into affordable and private coverage with greater access to healthcare to reduce overall program spending. These conditions include a work requirement, enrollment caps, and a reduction in the improper payment rate to 5% or less, with the goal of curbing fraud and decreasing abuse within the Medicaid system. This legislation is estimated to save the state up to $163 million.
House Session & Votes
H409 passed the House with 70 votes. It changes the disposal of surplus administrative facilities to be the same as other real properties under the authority of the Land Board.
There are 55 House bills on the bill list which may be found at: Bill List
The House Session may be viewed live at: House Session
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
The committee continues to hear budget requests and work on budget motions. There is a disagreement in procedure between the House and Senate. No motions will come out of committee until the disagreement has been resolved.
Budget hearing and setting schedules may be viewed at: Budget Schedules
JFAC agendas may be viewed at: JFAC Agendas
The JFAC meetings may be viewed live at: View JFAC
Follow this link to learn more: Fiscal Dashboards Budget Information
Transportation and Defense Committee
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) gave a presentation. It included an overview ofbridge and highway construction and maintenance around the state. ITD is responsible for 1800 bridges and 12,276 lane miles of highway.
Transportation meetings may be viewed live at: View Transportation
Commerce and Human Resources Committee
There were 6 RSs (routing slips) presented and introduced. There is normally very little debate when an RS is presented. If it is reasonable, there is a motion to print the RS to a bill. The real debate occurs when the bill comes back to committee.
Commerce meetings may be viewed live at: View Commerce
Bill Highlights
Bill # Topic Vote
H409 Disposition of state administrative facilities 70-0-0
You may view the full list of bills at and the bill status at: Bill List
It is an honor to serve as your Representative in the Idaho House of Representatives. Please forward this update to anyone you feel would be interested in receiving it.
Representative Steven Miller
Idaho State Capitol
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0038
SMiller@house.idaho.gov
Common Sense Solutions 