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Senate judiciary committee sends three RS items to print and forwards drug-policy reappointment to the floor
Summary
The Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to send three request sheets to print — on post-adoption contact agreements, fireworks definitions and prioritized highway planning — and voted to send the governor's reappointment of the state drug policy administrator to the Senate floor with a confirmation recommendation.
At a meeting of the Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee, members voted to send three request sheets (RS) to print and recommended confirmation of the governor's pick to lead the Office of Drug Policy.
The committee approved RS 32268 — sponsored by Senator Julie Van Norden (District 30) — which would add a statutory framework for a post-adoption contact agreement. "This is a voluntary agreement. It is not required for an adoption to happen," Van Norden told the committee, describing the measure as a way to make voluntary post-adoption communication agreements enforceable if the parties ask the court to approve them.
The committee also voted to send RS 32280 to print. Senator Dave Lent (District 33) described that request as primarily updating an older fireworks code and introducing a new definition for "aerial fireworks." Lent told the panel the change is intended to align statutory language with how certain fireworks are purchased and launched in Idaho today.
A third RS, RS 32421, led by Senator Lori Den Hartog (District 22), would direct the Idaho Transportation Department to prioritize planning and environmental linkages (PEL) studies on a set of state corridors, with special focus on District 3. Den Hartog said some corridors already have studies dating back decades and the RS would allow the department to accept private funding to speed work on corridor planning.
Separately, the committee voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Mary Anne King as Administrator of the Office of Drug Policy to the Senate floor with a recommendation she be confirmed. Senator Sarah Wintrow moved the committee recommendation; the motion received a second and the chair called the voice vote in the affirmative.
Why it matters: Sending an RS to print is the procedural step that opens a bill draft for formal introduction. The post-adoption measure would not require parties to enter agreements but would create an enforceable pathway if both parties request court approval. The fireworks language change and the transportation PEL prioritization are intended to clear up statutory definitions and to accelerate planning on long-identified corridors.
Committee action (at a glance): RS 32268 — motion to send to print (mover: Senator Ricks; second: Senator Shippey); RS 32280 — motion to send to print (mover: Senator Ricks; second: Senator Ruckde); RS 32421 — motion to send to print (mover: Senator Ricks; second: Senator Wintrow); Reappointment of Mary Anne King — motion to send to the Senate floor with recommendation of confirmation (mover: Senator Wintrow; second: Senator Lent). The transcript records voice votes; the chair announced the motions carried.
