Rep. Ponca moves to introduce bill to set initiative approval at 60%

Representative Ponca moved to introduce RS31832, a proposal to set the approval threshold for citizen-initiated ballot measures at 60%.

"The initiative process is broken. This is one way to level the playing field a little bit by raising it to 60%. There are other states that have 60% or two-thirds in some of their initiative processes," Representative Ponca said, and asked that the proposal be printed so it can be fleshed out in a bill hearing.

Representative Achilles asked that the sponsor address several points if the RS comes back for a full hearing. "First is, we are pushing forward, you know, in a change the initiative process when the Idaho Supreme Court has ruled unambiguously that the initiative process is a fundamental right for Idaho voters," Achilles said. He also questioned why citizen-initiated measures would face a 60% threshold when legislators vote on measures at a 50% threshold, and asked sponsors to analyze how a 60% requirement would have affected past measures. "We would not have passed sales tax relief, property tax relief, the homeowners exemption and a couple of others," Achilles said, noting the need to consider the totality of implications.

In a later comment, Achilles framed his and Rep. Green's votes to advance print hearings as procedural, not endorsements of the underlying bills. "…our vote is not one of support for a bill, but just a commitment to the democratic process," he said.

The committee chair noted that the committee can decline to take further action on any RS and encouraged sponsors to consider the concerns raised before a full hearing. The motion to introduce RS31832 passed on a voice vote and the committee was adjourned.

RS31832 will return for further consideration, where sponsors are expected to address the constitutional questions and historical effects raised during the discussion.