I have a new favorite mask; thank you Sandra Capps. And, a BIG shout out to the Jerome Rotary who asked for a Special Legislative Session update. Good dialog and good questions.

I love our local, rural communities! I believe in you. Your voice is heard, and it matters.

#StrongerRoots
#StrongerFamilies
#StrongerCommunities

#maskupidaho
#ibacktheblue ... See more

We are richly blessed to live in Idaho.

#StrongerRoots

Mark your calendars and join us on Wednesday September 9th for Lunch with your Legislators. We will answer your questions about the Special Session and the upcoming General Session.

We support our local businesses.

#StrongerCommunities ... See more

Have you reserved your seats yet?

https://members.visitjeromeidaho.com/events/details/chamber-lunch-lunch-with-the-legislators-2516

A standing ovation for the men and women of the Idaho State Police for their service and protection this week. We just adjourned Sine Die. I back the Blue. Goodnight and God Bless.

Stronger Roots
Stronger Families
Stronger Communities ... See more

Special recognition to our House Judiciary and Rules Committee for your tireless work on this Civil Liability Legislation. It passed the House on a 54-15, almost party-line vote. It now heads to the Senate. Thank you for all the calls, messages, and emails.

We are now recessed at the call of the chair as legislation is enrolled and moves between the chambers.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2020spcl/legislation/H0006.pdf ... See more

House Judiciary and Rules meets this morning to hear H0006, Civil Liability. Please tune in about 8:30 a.m.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020spcl/legislation/H0006

The status of each bill, resolution, proclamation, and memorial is updated when the offices of the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House publish the un-official daily journals and should not be deemed official. The official bill actions are located in the final journal, which are.... ... See more

First and foremost, decorum in the People's House yesterday and today is completely unacceptable. The ISP just arrested a handful of protesters in the Judiciary and Rules Committee hearing. Intimidation and bully tactics will not work.

I voted nay on HCR 1 for the following reasons.

I was elected by you to follow the Idaho and US Constitutions and take that very seriously. It does not appear that the subject of HCR 1 is within the Governor’s Proclamation for an Extra Session of the Legislature as required by Article IV Section 9 of the Idaho Constitution. For this reason, it appears that HCR 1, if passed by both chambers would carry no legal effect and likely be the subject of a successful legal challenge to validity.

Here was my HCR 1 testimony:

HCR001 Testimony
I am proud to live in Idaho and proud that we have the resiliency to weather this storm.
Every March I have to write a check to the IRS. I don’t like it. However, I know that if Idaho has an emergency that those precious dollars can come back into our communities.
Idaho’s past planning and conservative nature positions us to rebound our economy much more quickly than any other state. Idaho’s unemployment rate is now around 5%. Our citizens are going back to work. Idaho is leading the nation in Economic Momentum.
Idaho has also been fortunate that emergency declarations are rare and focused, usually, on natural disasters.
On page 2, this resolution states that there is no longer a need for a statewide emergency declaration. This is simply not true.
This resolution essentially says that Idaho has no further need for emergency disaster funding.
The financial impact to our cities, our counties, and our taxpayers of this passage is simply not acceptable. We cannot afford this.
Currently, Idaho has open emergency disaster declaration in many counties across Idaho.
o We have three open drought declarations: 2015-2018
 2015 Lewis, Idaho and Owyhee Counties
 2016 Bonneville Counties
 2018 Clark County
o We have a good number of flood disaster declarations
 2017 Bingham, Cassia, Elmore, Franklin, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls, Washington, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Blaine, Camas, Elmore, Custer, etc.
 2019 Adams, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Valley
HCR 1 jeopardizes Idaho’s ability to use emergency funding, and I question its Constitutionality. Therefore, I ask for your nay vote on HCR 1. ... See more

As the discussion continues on HCR001, I encourage you to understand the emergency disaster declaration from President Trump and its implications to Idaho. Please read Sections 2 and 3 of this memorandum which was issued on August 8, 2020.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-authorizing-needs-assistance-program-major-disaster-declarations-related-coronavirus-disease-2019/ ... See more

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF LABOR THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: Author

The Senate voted 31-4 to pass S1002 which makes certain we have in-person voting in Novemeber. This will have my support in the House.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020spcl/legislation/S1002 ... See more

The status of each bill, resolution, proclamation, and memorial is updated when the offices of the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House publish the un-official daily journals and should not be deemed official. The official bill actions are located in the final journal, which are.... ... See more

House Judiciary and Rules is now meeting on H002, H003, H004, and H005. Tune in now to hear the testimony on four proposed pieces of civil liability legislation. This is all happening very quickly. We ask for your patience, empathy, compassion, and prayers. The Senate has introduced two pieces, too on elections.

I am not on either of those committees and am watching from my office with you.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2020spcl/standingcommittees/200824_hjud_0300PM-Agenda.pdf ... See more