Senate committee advances bill to set $300 mandatory minimum fine for marijuana possession

BOISE — The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee on Thursday voted to send House Bill 7 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The bill would establish a $300 mandatory minimum fine for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Supporters described the bill as a deterrent that preserves Idaho's stricter drug penalties compared with neighboring states. Representative Bruce Skaug (R-District 10), sponsor of the House-passed measure, told the committee the bill "sets that minimum" for possession and that it was a compromise after prior proposals. "We're just asking today to put a floor on that fine, to be a bit more of a deterrent," Skaug said.

The bill drew extended public testimony and a wide range of views. Law-enforcement witnesses, advocacy groups and conservative organizations urged passage, citing public-safety and community impacts they associate with legalization elsewhere. Opponents — including veterans, a physician and civil-liberties advocates — warned the mandatory minimum would disproportionately affect low-income people, homeless residents and sick patients who currently obtain…