Committee approves motion to print measure that would raise citizen initiative threshold to 60%

Representative Ponca moved to introduce RS31832, a proposal to raise the voter approval threshold for citizen initiatives to 60%, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The sponsor argued the change would "level the playing field a little bit by raising it to 60%" and asked that the measure be printed so it could be further developed in a bill hearing.

Representative Achilles pressed for more detail before a full hearing, saying lawmakers should address legal and policy implications. "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 initiatives would face a 60% threshold when legislators act on a 50% threshold, and asked sponsors to explain how past initiatives would have fared under a higher bar. Achilles listed examples, saying some passed measures "would not have passed sales tax relief, property tax relief, the homeowners exemption and a couple of others" had 60% been required.

Achilles added a procedural clarification on behalf of himself and Representative Green, saying their votes to print measures reflect a decision to move bills into the process, not an endorsement: "our vote is not 1 of support for a Bill, but just a commitment to the democratic process." The committee chair noted that printed RSs can still be defeated later and invited the sponsor to respond when the bill returns for a full hearing.

The committee approved the motion to introduce RS31832 by voice vote; there was no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript. The sponsor and several members indicated the measure will be developed further and returned for a scheduled hearing where the committee expects to address the constitutional concerns and the broader historical impact of a higher initiative threshold.