Capitol Letters | The Idaho Legislature Report
By Hayat Norimine, Accountability Editor; and Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter
House passes bill to make it harder to remove historical monuments
After years of controversy around Confederate monuments in other states, Idaho legislators are again proposing a bill that would make it more difficult for cities to remove a historical monument or rename a public building.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Doug Okuniewicz, a Hayden Republican, would require local officials to get approval from the majority of the Idaho State Historical Society’s board of trustees before they remove historical monuments and memorials. They would also need permission to rededicate schools, bridges, parks and other public areas.
Both Republican and Democratic opponents to the bill said local control is important. U.S. cities have often acted quickly to remove Confederate monuments, facing protests and potential efforts to tear them down, to avoid violence or public endangerment.
In 2020, one of Boise’s largest churches removed a stained-glass window that featured Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The Boise National Forest still has a creek, and possibly a campground, named after Lee.
Read Statesman State Politics Reporter Ryan Suppe’s full story here.
Glenn Beck visits Idaho Republicans
Conservative radio personality Glenn Beck visited the Idaho Capitol yesterday and spoke to dozens of Republican lawmakers for more than half an hour. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, an Idaho Falls Republican, had invited Beck to give a presentation.
A noted conspiracy theorist, Beck suggested a global conspiracy to develop fascist economic systems in western democracies is underway. He urged Idaho lawmakers to craft legislation to shield businesses from environmental and social justice scrutiny.
What else happened?
A Middleton Republican introduced a bill that would prevent Idaho from granting animals, natural resources and artificial intelligence “personhood status” to increase environmental protections, The Associated Press reported.
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra announced draft legislation to help students with dyslexia “read on an even playing field.” Read Statesman Education Reporter Becca Savransky’s full story about students’ struggles here.
A bill that would make it a crime for businesses to mandate their employees get the COVID-19 vaccine has been sent to the House floor, AP reported.
Another bill, which hasn’t been assigned to a committee, would protect the licenses of medical professionals who prescribe or dispense unproven medications for COVID-19, Idaho Capital Sun reported.
Keep track of high-profile bills as they go through the legislative process. You can find yesterday’s updates here.
Committees to watch today
8 a.m. Joint Finance-Appropriations. Included on the agenda today are committee chairs reports. Here’s where to watch remotely.
8 a.m. Senate State Affairs. Lawmakers will consider a bill that would let family members sue medical professionals who provide an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. The public can testify today. Here’s where to watch remotely.
9 a.m. House State Affairs. The public can testify today. Legislators will consider draft legislation by Rep. Priscilla Giddings to allow “public access” on voter rolls. Here’s where to watch remotely.
3 p.m. Senate Education. The public can testify today. The agenda includes a bill on funding for literacy intervention. Here’s where to watch remotely.
Both the House and the Senate are expected on the floor at 11 a.m.
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This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Capitol Letters | The Idaho Legislature Report."
