RS 32,036 C1 would require gubernatorial presentment for citizen initiatives below two‑thirds

BOISE — Representative Bruce Scogg (District 10) asked the House State Affairs Committee to print RS 32,036 C1, a proposal to require that citizen initiatives approved by a bare majority be presented to the governor for signature or veto much like legislation passed by the legislature.

Scogg told the committee he is proposing the change on constitutional and practical grounds. He said the Idaho Constitution does not specify the governor’s role for initiatives and cited a recent Idaho Supreme Court decision that the people’s initiative power is “coextensive” with the legislature’s lawmaking authority. He argued initiatives that pass by less than a two‑thirds margin should be subject to gubernatorial presentment, while initiatives approved by two thirds would not be subject to veto, mirroring the legislature’s override standard.

Committee members asked questions about scope and process. Representative Barbieri asked whether the language could permit the legislature to repeal initiatives; Scogg replied it would not. Representative Nicholson asked why a two‑thirds threshold was chosen; Scogg said it mirrors the legislature’s process for overriding a veto. Representative Achilles questioned what problem the measure was solving, noting Idaho has had few successful initiatives historically; Scogg said misinformation and large out‑of‑state campaign spending in recent initiatives justified stronger safeguards.

Representative Scott moved to introduce RS 32,036 C1 and the committee approved the motion.

Action

- Motion to introduce RS 32,036 C1: Carried (voice vote).