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Idaho Senate adopts resolution directing study of state COVID-19 response
Summary
The Idaho Senate on Jan. 22 adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 102 asking the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to study the state government's COVID-19 response; sponsors said the review is intended to improve future preparedness and will use existing legislative funds with a cap of $10,000.
The Idaho Senate on Jan. 22 adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 102, asking the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to study the state government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 102 was presented on the Senate floor, debated and adopted by roll call. Senator Sarah Foreman, who opened debate on the resolution, said it “requests the legislative council appoint a committee to investigate the Idaho state government's response to the COVID pandemic” and emphasized the measure “does not seek to point fingers or impart blame.” Foreman told colleagues the review would be a tool to “learn from the past and be better prepared for the future.”
The resolution directs the Legislative Council to form the study committee and specifies that the review should examine state government actions during the pandemic. Foreman said the study can be conducted using funds already appropriated to the legislature and that “the total expenditure of funds should not exceed $10,000.”
Senator Tara Lenny spoke in support, saying she has heard callers ask whether the state should “relitigate COVID,” and that “I don't think we litigated it in in the first place.” Lenny listed areas she said the study should examine, including mandates, school and hospital responses, business closures and military impacts, and urged fellow senators to support the resolution.
Senator Dan Den Hartog asked unanimous consent to bring SCR 102 to the top of the calendar before formal consideration. The Senate approved that request and later voted on adoption. The secretary called the roll for final passage; the roll call summary in the transcript shows 25 senators voting in favor, 9 against and 1 absent. The presiding officer announced the resolution had passed and that the title was approved for transmittal to the House of Representatives.
The text of the resolution, as described on the floor, asks for a comprehensive after-action review of collective state actions during the pandemic to support “transparency and accountability in state government” and to provide information useful to future planning. Foreman said the implementation “will not have a negative impact on the general fund.”
The Senate did not specify committee membership, a timetable for the review, or detailed scope items beyond the general charge described on the floor; the resolution will be transmitted to the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council will handle committee appointment and any procedural follow-up.
Votes at a glance: Senate Concurrent Resolution 102 — Adopted by roll call, 25 Aye, 9 No, 1 Absent. Motion to adopt opened by Senator Sarah Foreman; second not specified on the floor record. Funding: to come from existing legislative appropriations, not to exceed $10,000, according to comments on the floor.
