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Senate State Affairs committee sends range of RS drafts to print, including housing and agriculture proposals
Summary
The Senate State Affairs Committee on March 2 advanced a slate of request-for-statement (RS) drafts to print, covering topics from rangeland recognition and housing reforms to virtual currency fraud prevention. Most motions carried by voice vote; one wildlife crossings resolution was halted due to a clerical formatting error.
The Senate State Affairs Committee advanced multiple draft proposals to print on March 2, sending measures addressing rural rangelands, housing, elections and consumer issues on for further drafting and consideration.
Senator Burtenshaw introduced RS 33579 to recognize rangelands and pastoralists, noting rangelands make up about 54% of Idaho and serve as economic drivers for rural communities. The committee approved sending RS 33579 to print on a voice vote after a motion by Senator Bernt and a second from Senator Shippy.
Several housing-related drafts were also advanced. Senator Toews described RS 33575 as a redraft allowing accessory dwelling units by right; RS 33564 would permit twin homes and duplexes in single-family zones; and RS 33568 targets starter-home subdivisions to encourage more affordable housing. Each of those draft requests was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
Other draft requests advanced included RS 32829C1 (a $5 fee increase proposal intended to raise Idaho State Trooper pay), RS 33544 (cash rounding language to address penny rounding after the U.S. Treasury stopped minting the penny), RS 33560 (scholarship limitations for athletes), RS 33533 (allowing farmers to gift up to five acres to immediate family for homebuilding), RS 33542 (redraft on highway district elections), and RS 33552 (virtual currency fraud prevention).
Senator Bernt introduced RS 33483 to recognize wildlife crossings, but Senator Den Hartog flagged that the draft was written in the form of a House Concurrent Resolution; Chairman Guthrie stated the motion to send RS 33483 to print would not be entertained due to that clerical error.
The committee’s actions at this meeting were procedural advances—motions to send drafts to print—rather than final enactments. Each motion that carried will allow staff to prepare a formal bill draft for subsequent committee and floor consideration.
