This update comes to us from Alicia Abbot.
Good Morning Brenda,
Just wanted to give you an end of week update!
- No sign of the militia bill (SB1056) yet! This might be a dead bill.
- Library censorship (HB139) legislation will likely get its first hearing next week.
- Abortion Travel Ban (HB 98) will likely get its first hearing next week too.
- Criminalization of Transgender Healthcare for Minors (HB 71) will have its second hearing in the Senate next week.
- School Vouchers (SB1038) will go before the Senate for a vote before it goes to the House Ed committee.
- Repeal of Initiative Rights (SJR101) will likely have its second hearings next week (Reclaim Idaho is on top of these last two bills.)
There are several other bad bills out there that concern human rights, including new ones being heard today. These include bills concerning C19, CPS, & denying mental health on the basis of personal belief. They are bills that add barriers, but are not as harsh as others we've seen.
Please let me know if you have any questions on any of these.
Also, there is an important petition that librarians are asking us to sign opposing HB139. https://www.fightforthefirst.org/petitions/stop-hb-139-and-let-idaho-read
TGIF, it's been a long week. Word on the street is that legislators want to be done with the session by March 24th, but my prediction is that extreme legislators (like our Senator Herndon) are likely going to hold budgets hostage over LGBTQIA+ & DEI issues.
Best,
Alicia