[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6127177,"mediaKeyId","2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152","parentId",2664724,"title","House approves bill clarifying legislative role in state disaster emergencies","audioSeconds",200,"startMs",6215000,"endMs",6415000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152&start=6215&end=6415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152/thumbnail_6215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127177/Idaho/House-approves-bill-clarifying-legislative-role-in-state-disaster-emergencies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127177-4b14b2bb26ad74e0202e6ba626abd764/orig.mp4?Expires=1773697479&Signature=cupmDY9nxLD9L8RQtJzRNpWv3LKSsHznqjhiM8z-7eQvPlGRTqdZIzjNWF7dfbTSUbcVgIVoN2YQoFiZ-MDnnmojUQDLhMeukJfYJMp3ZDvKPlZNQvpLxRfx0v2~Y8OXC1xC7UyxmzlEq-o-Nqb7rojjYpYVVjfoPhlfKr~GZGpE-HySis51GmLXAKHRPgPDAVKrFU97ui9aLeCKK8QTMj-NUa27inv5gMJYh6vXimS~S2pXmGHH98V8eW1tL-U8wyd5uTLWXLv1br545xx5MFkazvEdmCcxCtxIF2kQBN~CYaB~MiJChdla0JNjvRfbQDN-WL6IlNJ-K92Pl8U~Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho House of Representatives","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 409, which clarifies procedures for state disaster emergency declarations and the Legislature’s role in terminating them, passed the Idaho House on March 17 by a vote of 59 ayes, 6 nays and 5 absent and excused.

The bill amends existing language on gubernatorial disaster emergency powers and creates a mechanism by which the Legislature may terminate a state disaster emergency by concurrent resolution, addressing a gap lawmakers said they identified in prior practice. The sponsor said the measure does not address emergencies caused by floods, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes or invasive species and clarifies a sixty-day reference in the statute.

Sponsor remarks emphasized the goal of providing a legislative mechanism to terminate a disaster emergency and to provide clarity about which types of emergencies are covered by the procedure. The bill also contains a provision about special sessions called by the lieutenant governor in which a disaster emergency may be declared.

The House debated the bill briefly, then voted. The clerk reported the recorded vote: 59 ayes, 6 nays, 5 absent/excused. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Legislative Session Day 71 March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 409 clarifies how the legislature can terminate a declared disaster emergency and narrows some executive emergency authorities; the House passed the bill after brief debate 59-6-5.","taxTitle","2025 House Legislative Sessions, 2025 Legislative Sessions, Idaho","taxId",77673,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127182,"House approves bill creating aggravated lewd-conduct offenses; sponsors say prosecutors need tools",911,6407000,7318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152&start=6407&end=7318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152/thumbnail_6407000.jpg","/articles/6127182/Idaho/House-approves-bill-creating-aggravated-lewd-conduct-offenses-sponsors-say-prosecutors-need-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127182-c90469792b050ef8ca30c6b216160a31/orig.mp4?Expires=1773697479&Signature=Lu6kSJ9jnm8H12pgM3jMQSRPHQT2rxKOAZAtxe~D0QV8qZX4Vb7d3pgxDCbh2W56HKxPCZVprB2dR7wutJqLkABA1l7TR~JO8WKBcq0Zp7mtOuVinU2My38udgETvM7dZ50gfmNtEqk9oL0~d43BTbOavjVAGwljjYp70tqPA6NaR4i8uuRUv2sfc59Qti4sLVoClU4cJQUipy25R5Ed0UV4a73Ktdg7cmnITG0TKMNceBvKg1n-NSwbUVF3V8-omalhrhl~xyBHHA~Ui~9Zgsb91-tFK~OdEnCrcWWGp~SUZhZbp1Dz37BW319T3UU~UgC4Skt~ZfETawsg4P3YhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho House approved House Bill 380 on March 17, a measure that creates new aggravated offenses and mandatory minimum penalties for severe lewd conduct involving minors. Sponsors said the change gives prosecutors additional options in the most serious cases; supporters characterized the measure as a child-protection tool. The clerk recorded final passage of the bill on the floor (roll call reported 63 ayes, with 7 absent or excused).

Sponsor remarks described the bill as narrowly targeted to address “the most heinous” sexual crimes against children and said aggravating factors — such as multiple victims or serious physical injury — would trigger enhanced penalties. The sponsor told the House the change was designed to provide prosecutors and victims with additional sentencing options and said committee testimony included victim survivors urging action.

Supporters on the floor, including former prosecutors, said current Idaho statutes are insufficient to address certain severe offenses and noted similar legislative efforts in other states. Several backers acknowledged the bill could face constitutional challenges and said they expected litigation but argued the state should act to define enhanced punishments for particularly egregious conduct.

Opponents were limited on the floor record; some members urged treatment and preventive measures for people with proclivities, and several speakers framed the bill as a necessary protection for children. The sponsor and supporters emphasized the rarity of seeking the most extreme penalties and noted that a jury — and, if appealed, courts — would ultimately determine the application of enhanced sentences.

After debate, the House adopted the bill and ordered it transmitted to the Senate. The floor record shows supporters and prosecutors argued the bill fills a statutory gap for extremely serious offenses; backers also acknowledged that a constitutional challenge is possible.","House Bill 380 creates aggravated offenses and mandatory minimums for certain lewd conduct involving minors. Sponsors said the measure fills gaps in Idaho law; opponents noted possible constitutional litigation. The House passed the bill 63-0 (with absences).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127185,"House moves civics graduation requirement into statute; bill delayed until 2026–27 school year",886,2935000,3821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152&start=2935&end=3821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152/thumbnail_2935000.jpg","/articles/6127185/Idaho/House-moves-civics-graduation-requirement-into-statute-bill-delayed-until-202627-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127185-7cf047e3c0d300602669cf1c60024d28/orig.mp4?Expires=1773697479&Signature=g4vx2mXM9-sUY8clDOw0sK8Quy4U-5zqmIEzqdVD99cdTjYFSF9kPAADjLH31XbizFmykP6iDfD4VTWUQmkOTIjks~2POpx212jlmd4CJ3hUsu9yYinz2B9q8g-iWXucjWBri~S1iXH2kPZDoEYx9n-M1b7TwWVR7UmHWMoJKKuSGI-E3i1XEYN4Z3emMuw1RxrjI29USIn5Kf1nUbamOHbw687uI65WNoExMUnKUlo9z3WWd1t0ZgjHR0HGfVJZxBbXsel1gfQA5n0yXZLSwdYUeUpYc9GGl6ey6UUQ4CZhZZehp~OPAdadQs2jJeC3~6hhX7S1MP9Ozk5DaVbYEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho House passed House Bill 397 on March 17 after floor debate about when and how statewide civics testing should be implemented as a graduation requirement. The clerk recorded the final vote as 64 ayes, 3 nays and 3 absent and excused.

The bill moves current civics testing requirements out of administrative rules and into statute, and it directs the State Department of Education to establish the content and testing process. The sponsor said the law will emphasize Western civilization, English common law, the U.S. founding documents and other items listed in the bill; implementation is delayed so the department and districts can prepare.

Opponents cautioned about requiring an additional graduation test for seniors, arguing that most students take American government in their senior year and would have to be tested before they complete that coursework. Representative (education critic) said: “There is no other subject in Idaho that we mandate a test for at graduation” and raised concerns about how students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and multilingual learners would be accommodated.

The sponsor noted the bill exempts students graduating before Jan. 1, 2029, who have already satisfied previous civics requirements, giving districts time to adjust. Supporters said civic knowledge is essential to maintain a republican form of government and cited Article 9 of the Idaho Constitution directing the legislature to maintain public schools.

After debate, the House approved the measure and ordered it transmitted to the Senate. The bill’s floor debate focused on implementation timing, accommodations for special education and English-language learners, and the scope of material to be tested.","House Bill 397 passed the Idaho House after debate on testing burden, special education and timeline for implementation. Sponsors said the requirement is delayed to give districts time to prepare; opponents raised concerns about testing and accommodation for special education and newcomer students.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127192,"Idaho House passes bill limiting nonemergency public benefits for people not legally in U.S.",1700,1148000,2848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152&start=1148&end=2848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664724-08cba020f50294f802131d73e9a03152/thumbnail_1148000.jpg","/articles/6127192/Idaho/Idaho-House-passes-bill-limiting-nonemergency-public-benefits-for-people-not-legally-in-US","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127192-8f719f1263811e0a78d8d13983003063/orig.mp4?Expires=1773697479&Signature=kbOEX74WB6zJ8BYASiSIteOj~adDjxAuAWC3sEIOItM-MtRl5CUtFMWo4lkzMOCAhPJQMMPFrtLmnznvkpWnBD~ZTalCIo7Zlfxtb3lyt3PJgo2JLxC4gx7Mr9hXG3EeynuD8pP0B4pzAE5ZBh4HCCxn9tWfmx7GGdrJp96z3G5r-QDpjZKW3EKYYuhDBENmorA8RfdVxQc8V2nX5w93haE94pKc2gIri-otF7rCXnQRQIZatL~-czKbhpWGIJVBYHIRZ8N2YMfMnMQsS35ozxxcESWIPXe0YD6rPpKSY6xUuRGOhLhx7zEZs7-xVvCeeZxIVU6ELZd2uWtQ7xw3yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho House on March 17 approved House Bill 135, a measure that removes certain nonemergency public benefits for people the bill describes as not legally present in the United States, after several hours of floor debate and a recorded vote of 46 ayes, 22 nays and 2 absent and excused.

Supporters and opponents traded arguments on the House floor about fiscal responsibility, public health and effects on children. Representative (floor sponsor), the bill sponsor on the floor, said the bill “removes nonemergency health services, as well as some social benefits” and does not affect emergency care.

Opponents focused on language in the bill that, as drafted, would strike food assistance for children and certain prenatal and postnatal services. “This bill has a laser focus on taking away care from babies, pregnant women, and hungry children,” said Representative (floor opponent). Another opponent said federal rules for programs such as WIC and the National School Lunch Program already ensure coverage for many children regardless of immigration status and warned the bill conflicted with those programs.

House members asking questions sought clarification on how the bill would interact with federal law, including the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). One member asked whether EMTALA’s hospital obligations would conflict with this measure; the sponsor replied the bill excludes emergency care and aims to require that nonemergency services be paid by individuals rather than funded by taxpayers.

Supporters argued the state must prioritize limited taxpayer funds for Idaho citizens and that nonprofits and private donors could still provide charity care. “We’re just not going to compel the people of the state of Idaho to pay for it,” a Representative in favor said on the floor.

The bill’s text, as discussed on the floor, removes certain nonemergency medical services and strikes explicit references to some child food assistance in the current law; sponsors described carve-outs that previously existed for treatment of contagious diseases, prenatal and postnatal care, and certain child nutrition programs, and said the amendments narrowed those exceptions. Members said the Department of Health and Welfare provided information during committee that some programs would still cover certain children, but several members warned the statutory text as drafted created uncertainty about which children and services would remain eligible.

After debate, the House voted using the electronic roll call. The clerk reported: 46 ayes, 22 nays, 2 absent and excused; the bill passed the House and was recorded as passed on March 17, 2025.

The bill record indicates the House debate centered on trade-offs between state budget stewardship and the risk that limiting certain preventive services could increase later health costs or harm children born in the U.S. The House did not direct further action besides passage; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.","The Idaho House approved House Bill 135 after hours of debate on whether the bill would deny prenatal, postnatal and food assistance to children and pregnant people. The measure passed 46-22 and will move to the Senate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House approves bill clarifying legislative role in state disaster emergencies

House approves bill creating aggravated lewd-conduct offenses; sponsors say prosecutors need tools

House moves civics graduation requirement into statute; bill delayed until 2026–27 school year

Idaho House passes bill limiting nonemergency public benefits for people not legally in U.S.