What happened to that Idaho bill? Stay updated on latest movements with this tracker

The Idaho Statesman provides in-depth coverage of bills as they’re introduced and passed on the House or Senate floors.

But a bill goes through a lengthy process before it becomes law. The more measures introduced in one legislative session, the more difficult it is to keep them straight.

The legislative process starts in the chamber in which it was introduced, then moves to the other chamber. For example, a House bill must typically:

• get introduced;

• be referred to a House committee;

• have a public hearing;

• get sent to the House floor and pass;

• pass through a Senate committee;

• get sent to the Senate floor and pass;

• and get signed by the governor.

Here, we have a list of the most high-profile pieces of legislation and provide updates on where they are in the process. This tracker will continue to get updated throughout this year’s legislative session.

Tax cuts

Income tax cuts: House Bill 436 would cut income tax rates and provide Idaho’s highest earners with the largest rebates. The House voted 57-13 in favor of the bill. It will be discussed in the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee.

Homeowners exemption: Following a controversial property tax bill that passed last year, two competing pieces of legislation — House Bill 481 and Senate Bill 1241 — would raise the assessed valuation threshold for residents who qualify for a property tax reduction program, known as the “circuit breaker.” The House bill has been referred to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Grocery exemption: Two versions of a sales tax exemption on groceries, House bills 448 and 470, have been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

LGBTQ rights

“Add the words”: House Bill 440 would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the classes protected from discrimination in state law. It was introduced as a personal bill, and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Conversion therapy: House Bill 483 would ban licensed mental health professionals from trying to change LGBTQ minors’ sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Election issues

Unaffiliated voters: House Bill 439 would move up the deadline for independent voters to register as Republican for the GOP primary. It’s been referred to the House State Affairs Committee.

Absentee ballots for nursing care residents: House Bill 441 would allow only designated individuals to help a nursing care resident vote remotely — a county clerk, someone designated by the county clerk, or an immediate family member. It’s been referred to the House State Affairs Committee.

Education

Teachers’ health insurance: House Bill 443 would create a fund to allow school districts to join the state employees’ insurance plan. The House passed the bill in a 55-14 vote.

School board trustees: House Bill 438 would require that if there’s a vacant trustee position from a recall or resignation, the position is filled with an election rather than appointment. It’s been referred to the House State Affairs Committee.

Education content standards: House Concurrent Resolution 27 would have Idaho reject current content standards for schools. It’s been referred to the House Education Committee.

“Self-directed learners”: Senate Bill 1226 would let certain students qualify as “self-directed learners” and provide more lenient rules on attendance. It’s been referred to the Senate Education Committee.

Armed Forces scholarships: House Bill 461 would let children of service members who were killed or permanently disabled in inactive duty training qualify for the state’s Armed Forces scholarship, which provides a full tuition waiver. It’s been referred to the House Education Committee.

Learning loss grants: Senate Bill 1242 would provide families with up to $3,000 in grants for additional resources to address students’ learning losses.

Coronavirus

Business liability: House Bill 444 would extend immunity for businesses, schools and government agencies against lawsuits on COVID-19 exposures. It’s been sent to the House floor.

Vaccine injuries: In the event an employer mandated a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, House Bill 464 would provide workers’ compensation for COVID-19 vaccine-related injuries or accidents. It’s been referred to the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

Immunization registry: House Bill 502 would make parents opt into, instead of opt out of, the Department of Health and Welfare’s immunization registry — which tracks the immunization status of Idaho children against childhood diseases.

Abortion

A “Day of Tears”: A pair of resolutions mourn abortions once a year and declare Jan. 22 — the day the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Roe v. Wade decision — as the “Day of Tears” in Idaho. The resolutions encourage citizens to fly flags at half-staff that day. Both resolutions have passed, Senate Resolution 101 and House Resolution 5.

Housing

Caps on rental fees: House Bill 442 would ban local jurisdictions from putting caps on rental fees, deposits or application costs. The bill has been referred to the House Business Committee.

Restrictive covenants: Senate Bill 1240 would prohibit covenants that restrict occupancy based on race, color, ethnicity or national origin. It’s been introduced.

Marijuana

Pain-relief spray: House Bill 446 would let Idaho residents with neurological disorders use an oral pain-relief spray derived from cannabis. The bill has been referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee.

Government

Ending legislative sessions: Senate Bill 1239 would set an end date for regular legislative sessions. Under the proposed law, sessions must end on or before the last Friday of March. It provides some exceptions, including one during statewide emergency declarations. It’s been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Think we’re missing something? Let us know — and email us at rsuppe@idahostatesman.com, hnorimine@idahostatesman.com or sgoodwin@idahostatesman.com.