Highlights from 03-18-2013
MILITARY DETENTIONS
Bill criminalizes Idaho officials' cooperation with feds
Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, says the post-9/11 law that permits indefinite detention without charge, military tribunals and transfer of persons arrested in the U.S. overseas is unconstitutional, and any Idaho official who cooperates with the feds in enforcing the law should be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Pearce's Idaho Liberty Preservation Act was introduced Monday by the Senate State Affairs Committee.
Offenders would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Dan Popkey
BIG RIGS
New rules sent to House floor
The House Transportation Committee members who approved a timber industry-backed plan to allow big trucks on more miles of Idaho roads want it accompanied by a separate measure that emphasizes how local highway districts have final discretion in approving such routes.
It now heads to the full House. The Senate has passed the bill.
Foes worry larger trucks will impair safety, especially on winding northern Idaho forest highways.
The Associated Press
CONCEALED WEAPONS
Permitees should get copy of background check, House says
The Idaho House has passed legislation pursued by Nampa Republican Rep. Christy Perry after one of her constituents applied for and was granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Perry says the applicant was given mixed signals after requesting a copy.
Perry said the measure doesn't infringe on federal laws prohibiting police from giving copies to criminal suspects.
The Associated Press
VOTER INITIATIVES
House panel OKs new hurdles
A bill that passed the House State Affairs Committee Monday was pushed by the Idaho Farm Bureau. It requires signatures be gathered from 6 percent of registered voters in 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts to qualify an initiative for the ballot. Democrats on the committee were opposed.
Currently, Idaho requires signatures from 6 percent of voters statewide, without a geographic requirement.
The Associated Press
INDOOR TANNING
House kills teen restrictions
For the second year in a row, Idaho lawmakers pulled the plug on limits on the use of indoor ultraviolet tanning devices by kids under age 16.
Last year's version included fines up to $1,000 for offenders, but the measure debated this year reduced the monetary penalty to $100 for first offenses. Still, the changes weren't sufficient to sway the majority of House Republicans.
The Associated Press
TEACHERS
New paid leave bill introduced
The House Education Committee agreed to debate whether teachers under criminal investigation or in jail should be paid for their time away from the classroom.
The bill introduced Monday would pay teachers placed on involuntary leave. The bill includes slight tweaks to a separate measure that makes certain cases of involuntary leave unpaid.
Districts would recoup the funds if the employee is found guilty, but the teacher would get a check if a judge or jury concludes they're innocent.
The Associated Press
Bargaining bills sent to floor
The Senate Education Committee approved two bills Monday. One would give districts permission to reduce salaries, while the other would limit terms of salaries in the broad master contracts to one year.
The bills have been altered several times this session.
The Associated Press
FEDERAL LANDS
Hearing on state control delayed
The House State Affairs had a full agenda Monday and just two people from out of town got to testify on the resolution that demands the federal government transfer all public land to Idaho.
The hearing continues at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Rocky Barker
