May 20, 2015 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns One-Day Special Session
The Idaho Legislature adjourned its special session Monday, May 18, 2015, just 12 hours after reconvening. Lawmakers returned to Boise to approve changes to federal child support rules. The bill has been sent to the governor who said he will […]
The Idaho Legislature adjourned its special session Monday, May 18, 2015, just 12 hours after reconvening.
Lawmakers returned to Boise to approve changes to federal child support rules.
The bill has been sent to the governor who said he will sign it into law.
May 4, 2015 •
Idaho Governor Calls Special Session
Gov. Butch Otter announced a special legislative session will begin on May 18, 2015. After adjourning in early April, lawmakers will return to resolve amendments to a child support law. The law is a prerequisite for receiving federal funds to […]
Gov. Butch Otter announced a special legislative session will begin on May 18, 2015. After adjourning in early April, lawmakers will return to resolve amendments to a child support law.
The law is a prerequisite for receiving federal funds to assist in child support enforcement.
Legislators have until June 12 to come to an agreement.
Photo of the Idaho State Capitol by Maxbatt in Wikimedia Commons.
April 13, 2015 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die early Saturday, April 11, 2015. The 90-day session concluded after both houses reached a compromise on a major transportation funding bill. The bill approved $94.1 million for road and bridge repairs, failing to erase […]
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die early Saturday, April 11, 2015.
The 90-day session concluded after both houses reached a compromise on a major transportation funding bill.
The bill approved $94.1 million for road and bridge repairs, failing to erase a $262 million shortfall in annual road maintenance.
Photo of the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda by Kencf0618 on Wikimedia Commons.
February 25, 2015 •
Idaho House Seeks to Close Loophole in PAC Reporting
A bill, introduced this month, seeks to create greater transparency in campaign finance reporting for PACs. House Bill 112 eliminates a gap in PAC reporting following the seven-day pre-election report and election day, requiring disclosure of contributions of $1,000 or […]
A bill, introduced this month, seeks to create greater transparency in campaign finance reporting for PACs. House Bill 112 eliminates a gap in PAC reporting following the seven-day pre-election report and election day, requiring disclosure of contributions of $1,000 or more during this time.
Introduced by Rep. Greg Chaney, the bill is intended to prevent circumstances where PACs are able to avoid disclosing large expenditures prior to elections.
The bill was reported out of the State Affairs Committee with a do-pass recommendation.
Photo of the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda by Kencf0618 on Wikimedia Commons.
April 4, 2013 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
End of 2013 regular session
The Idaho Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 4, 2013.
Before adjourning at 11:30 a.m., the Legislature finalized the $1.3 billion public education budget. It failed to pass by one vote at the end of March, with some lawmakers arguing that it codified the Students Come First laws rejected by voters last November.
The House also debated and passed a bill aimed at allowing school districts flexibility in adjusting teacher pay and contracts.
January 11, 2013 •
Idaho Legislature Explores Creation of Independent Ethics Commission
Commission would be formal standing committee
The Idaho Legislature is exploring the idea of creating an independent ethics commission. The new speaker of the house, Representative Scott Bedke, says that house lawmakers are working on the details of what such a commission would look like.
The commission would be a formal standing ethics committee, although Rep. Bedke did not specify whether a proposed commission would be completely independent of the legislature.
Idaho is among the small minority of states that do not have an ethics commission.
Photo of the Idaho Capitol Rotunda by Kencf0618 on Wikipedia.
November 1, 2012 •
501(c)(4) Group Ordered to Disclose Contributors
Contributions funded ballot measure ads
An Idaho judge ordered Education Voters of Idaho (EVI), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, to disclose the names of its contributors.
EVI contributed more than $200,000 to Parents for Education Reform, which spent the funds on television commercials in support of three school reform ballot measures, but claimed that as a 501(c)(4), it was exempt from state disclosure requirements. The judge disagreed, ruling that the disclosure requirements applied to all individuals, corporations, associations, and entities of any kind.
EVI filed its disclosure statement on October 31st, as ordered by the court, and is contemplating an appeal of the order.
March 28, 2012 •
The Latest Redistricting News
Today we have news on redistricting issues from nine states:
Alaska: “Alaska Redistricting Board says it has adopted new election districts” by Matt Buxton in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner.
Arizona: “Brewer signs bill to keep Arizona redistricting commission going while new maps are pending” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Florida: “Redrawn Senate map passes House, scramble for seats begin” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida: “Legislature ends redistricting session, new Senate map approved” by Mary Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.
Idaho: “Redistricting will shake up Idaho Legislature” by Sean Ellis in the Capital Press.
Kansas: “Kan. House to debate congressional remap bill” by The Associated Press in the Salina Journal.
Maryland: “Group seeks referendum on new Md. congressional map” by Annie Linskey in The Baltimore Sun.
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court upholds House districts” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
West Virginia: “W.Va. lawmakers seek OK of congressional districts” by Eric Eyre in the Charleston Gazette.
Wisconsin: “Judges: Collaboration needed on Wis. voting maps” by The Associated Press on Madison.com.
Wisconsin: Opinion piece “Redistricting decision offers important lesson” by Christine Neumann-Ortiz in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
January 20, 2012 •
Redistricting News across the Nation
The U.S. Supreme Court threw out the Texas redistricting plans created by a federal court and calls for new plans, plus more redistricting news from the states:
Idaho
“Attorney General: Redistricting Commissioners can’t be fired” in the Spokesman-Review.
Kentucky
“Beshear Signs Redistricting Bill, Decries Process” by Phillip M. Bailey from the WFPL News.
Here is opinion piece by Kentucky Rep. Kelly Flood: “Senate redistricting ‘a display of arrogance, bullying‘” from the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Texas
“Justices’ Texas Redistricting Ruling Likely to Help G.O.P.” by Adam Liptak in the New York Times.
“Supreme Court throws out Texas election maps” by James Vicini on Reuters.
“Supreme Court sides with Texas on redistricting plan” by Robert Barnes in the Washington Post.
Virginia
“Virginia Senate narrowly passes GOP-backed congressional redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
“Senate approves GOP congressional redistricting plan” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
January 11, 2012 •
Idaho Secretary of State Announces Lobbyist Report Electronic Filing
E-filing to Begin with February 15, 2012 Report
Electronic filing for lobbyist reports will be available beginning with the report due February 15, 2012 covering the month of January 2012.
You can read the press release from the Office of the Secretary of State here.
July 18, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 18, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
State Legislative Bills Raise Conservative Group’s Profile
Federal:
Key Senator Urges Federal Investigation of Murdoch Media Company
The Influence Industry: Coming soon to a screen near you – a lobbying campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Legislature’s Ethics Chairs Say Referral Fees Are ‘Unquestionably Illegal’
Arizona
Arizona Lawmaker Says Pointing Gun at Reporter Wasn’t Deliberate
California
Gays Gaining Ground in State Political District Boundary Talks
Connecticut
Agency Head: Malloy’s undermining watchdogs’ fiscal autonomy
Idaho
Watchdog Group Says Idaho Should Have Stricter Lobbyist Reporting
Indiana
City Ponders Campaign-Gift Curbs
Minnesota
Full Eighth Circuit to Hear Minnesota Disclosure Law Case
Montana
High Court Sets Oral Arguments in Campaign Lawsuit
South Carolina
Campaign Reports, Fines Dog Son of Late S.C. Gov. Campbell
Tennessee
Haslam’s Office Cuts Off Hundreds from Clip Service
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
January 26, 2011 •
Public Officials’ Post-Service Employment Options May Be Limited
The Idaho senate has passed two bills which would restrict public officials’ employment options after leaving office.
SB1037 would prohibit certain officials from working for a company receiving certain state contracts or grants for one year if the former official was involved in the award process.
SB1038, a “revolving door” law, would prohibit state officials or legislators from working as a lobbyist for one year after leaving office.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
