Committee advances HCR 18 recognizing 'traditional family values' month after divided debate

A House committee voted to send House Concurrent Resolution 18 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation after lawmakers and a virtual witness debated the resolution’s focus on "traditional families." Representative Joe Alfieri introduced the measure, saying it would recognize "traditional family values month" beginning on Mother’s Day and ending on Father’s Day and would "recognize the core of Western civilization and the strongest foundation for the growth of children and the success of society is the traditional family."

Kate Hartley, an attorney with the Pacific Justice Institute, testified in support, saying the resolution would "give this viewpoint a spotlight" and that she has seen "an increase in censorship of and retaliation against those who openly speak about traditional families and traditional values." Hartley cited a 1977 U.S. Supreme Court decision in arguing for constitutional protection of the family as an institution.

Representative Green asked whether the resolution’s language would cover step-parents. Alfieri responded that the resolution does not "discount other forms" of family and that when he used "traditional family" he meant mother, father, grandparents, aunts and uncles and "all those that participate." Representative Akiles registered opposition and explained he would vote no because the resolution could have been written to be inclusive and instead, he said, uses legislative resources "to yet again undermine the tradition and the freedoms of Idaho adults to live and love how they want." Akiles also criticized a statistical line in the draft—the reference to a 27% divorce rate in 1950—saying historical context matters for such figures.

Representative Scott moved to send HCR 18 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The motion carried by voice vote; the committee clerk recorded Representatives Akiles and Green as voting no. No additional public testimony was recorded.