Representative Scogg seeks law to require initiative measures be presented to governor for possible veto

Representative Bruce Scogg, R‑District 10, told the House State Affairs Committee he is printing RS 32,036 C1 to change how citizen initiatives are finalized in Idaho.

Scogg said the state Supreme Court has held initiative powers are essentially coextensive with the legislature’s lawmaking power and argued that, because bills passed by the legislature are presented to the governor for signature or veto, the initiative process should also include presentment to the governor for possible veto. “The initiative process should be the same,” Scogg said.

Under Scogg’s proposal, an initiative that wins more than two‑thirds of votes at the polls would become law without gubernatorial action, but measures that receive a simple majority would be subject to gubernatorial veto. Scogg said the proposal is intended to provide voters with the same veto‑override rules the legislature has: if the electorate approves a measure by two‑thirds, the governor would not be able to veto it.

Committee members raised questions about the scope and consequences of the change, including whether it would increase costs for the Secretary of State if an initiative required a second election in response to a veto. Scogg said he had checked with the Secretary of State and was told there would be no fiscal impact. He also said he would welcome amendments, including ones that would add referenda or clarify the post‑veto process, but declined to add them at the RS phase.

Representative Scott moved to introduce RS 32,036 C1; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and printed the request for hearing.