How your legislator’s voted

At the Idaho Statehouse, a total of 252 bills had been offered between the House and Senate thus far in the session by the end of Friday, Feb. 7, with the following actions taken between Feb. 3 and Feb. 7. The information provided in the Signal American’s weekly coverage will include only actions taken on bills or resolutions during the five-day period. Any bill previously reported on will again appear after follow-up action in the House or Senate is taken. 

 To contact your District 9 representatives, their telephone numbers gleaned from the Idaho Legislature membership website are: Rep. Judy Boyle (208) 332-1064, (208) 355-3225; Rep. John Shirts (208) 332-1166, (208) 550-3190; and Sen. Brandon Shippy, the Statehouse number only (208) 332-1325. 

 House Bill 19, amends existing law related to criminal history records to authorize the submission of fingerprints of certain persons to the Bureau of Criminal Identification. Boyle, yes, and Shirts, yes.

 House Bill 29, updates the Idaho Controlled Substance Act with the addition of illicit substances to Schedule I that are benzodiazepine derivatives, synthetic fentanyls and synthetic cannabinoids with no approved medical use. Further it seeks to add several synthetic anabolic steroids to Schedule III and a new FDA approved treatment for post-partum depression to Schedule IV. Boyle and Shirts both voted yes.

 House Bill 31, amends existing law to provide that a third party requiring prior authorization for items or services provided to a recipient of medical assistance shall accept authorization from the state. Ayes from both Boyle and Shirts.

 House Bill 34, amends existing law to revise provisions regarding an agency that contracts with a state institution of higher education. Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes.

 House Bill 36, adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the issuance of a subpoena in a contested case. Ayes from Boyle and Shirts.

 House Bill 37, this legislation proposes firing squad as the primary enforcement mechanism to administer the death penalty. Intravenous administration of a lethal substance is the secondary mechanism should, for some reason, the firing squad method not be available. Passed 58-11-1. Boyle and Shirts both voted yes.

 House Bill 40, reduces Idaho flat income tax rate on both corporations and individuals to 5.3%, exempts certain precious metals from capital gains tax, and exempts certain military benefits from income taxation, at an estimated total reduction of revenue to the state’s general fund in 2026 of $253 million. Passed 63-7-0. Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes.

 House Bill 50, amends existing law to revise a provision regarding delegation of public works projects. Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes. 

 House Bill 52, amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the construction, alteration, equipping, furnishing, and repair of public buildings and works. Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes.

 House Bill 55, amends existing law to provide that service as a bona fide volunteer shall not be considered employment or reemployment and to define a term. Boyle and Shirts, both yes.

 House Bill 56, amends existing law to revise a provision regarding competitive bidding. Shirts, aye. Boyle, aye.

 House Bill 79, amends existing law to increase the maximum tuition for community colleges. Passed 52-17-1. Shirts, yes. Boyle, no.

 House Bill 89, amends existing law to revise a definition of licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes.

 House Bill 93, Idaho parental choice tax credit providing for a refundable tax credit up to $5,000 for a parent, guardian or foster parent who incurs qualified education expenses for an eligible student. Passed 42-28-0. Shirts, yes. Boyle, yes.

 House Bill 102, amends existing law to establish additional procedures to file petitions for the dissolution of recreation districts. Passed 56-13-1. Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes.

 House Concurrent Resolution 5, Dr. Anthony Fauci, States findings of the Legislature and opines that a federal pardon issued by a president does not confer immunity from prosecution or responsibility for state crimes. Adopted 56-14-0. Boyle, yes. Shirts, yes.

In the Senate:

 Senate Bill 1003, Amends existing law to provide that certain persons shall not be eligible to apply for any fishing, hunting, or trapping licenses, tags, or permits. Passed 25-10-0. Shippy, yes.

 Senate Bill 1014, Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish procedures regarding required tests and blood specimen collection for infants and newborns. Shippy, yes.

 Senate Bill 1015, Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding the licensure and inspection of hospitals. Shippy, aye.

 Senate Bill 1024, Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law regarding adult and children’s mental health services and substance use disorder services. Shippy, yes.

 Senate Bill 1028, Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the number of judges in the First Judicial District. Passed 27-8-0. Shippy, yes.

 Senate Bill 1029, Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the number of judges in the Seventh Judicial District. Passed 28-7-0. Shippy, yes.

 Senate Bill 1037, Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the succession to property of deceased residents of veterans homes. Shippy, yes.

 Senate Resolution 102, States findings of the Legislature and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Tax Commission have been reviewed and approved by the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee. Adopted by voice vote.

 Senate Resolution 103, States findings of the Legislature and provides that all pending rules of the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho State Tax Commission have been reviewed and approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. Adopted by voice vote.