WEEK FIVE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week of February 7 - 11, 2022
The fifth week of the Sixty-Sixth Idaho Legislature's Second Regular Session brought with it the print deadline that resulted in a fascinating tidal wave of bills introduced with little or no discussion. Many of those bills contained errors and omissions and some are not likely to move forward but the desire of legislators to get their bills introduced before the deadline resulted in several dozen bills hitting committees this week. In addition to introductory hearings on bills, several committees continued working through rules dockets, addressing gubernatorial appointments, and having full hearings, with testimony, for consideration of bills. The reading calendars in the House and Senate continue to lengthen, as they vote on bills. The duration of the floor sessions also continues to grow longer and, at times, more contentious.
Next week marks the traditional halfway point of session, where the pages are replaced with a new group of students that will assist with the last half of session. With this informal and often unnoticed change, we in the Capitol observe the legislative session switch into high gear for the second half. Another sign the session is heading into its apogee is found in JFAC. Presentations before the committee end mid-week next week and then will begin setting budgets. The significant amount of federal funds and another record surplus on top of agency requests for budget increases poses a new challenge to committee members, but all signs point to a speedy process as this massive wave of funding begins chasing the policy bills to the March finish line.
With the arrival of the print deadline for non-privileged committees, Legislative Services Office (LSO) staff get a brief reprieve before working again on bills working their way through privileged committees as well as those policies allowed to eschew traditional processes by legislative leadership. One bill we still do not expect to see is the “Go Home Bill,” which is traditionally passed on the last day of session and enacts the rules for the year but has not been passed for several years. We have heard more about the effort to help limit the confusion and dysfunction surrounding rules by committees offering up joint resolutions to enact the rules, but even with resolutions the likelihood of rules purgatory remains.
Several committees have also continued seeking agency presentations on how exactly directors hope to spend ARPA funds allocated to the State. This has added yet another layer to the already complex budgeting process as policy committees seek to control the budget recommendations of JFAC with no clear path for authority. This has also led to the Governor’s Office and agency directors doubling down on presentations throughout the Capitol.
Budgets will begin moving quickly in the coming weeks and as the filing deadlines for candidates for elected office approaches, anxiety will turn to full-blown politics in and out of the capitol. Through it all, we remain committed to serving you and helping you achieve your policy goals. While it feels extremely busy and even hastened at times, there is ample time left to work the process and help you achieve your goals. The Idaho legislature is back to normal in 2022 and working towards its timely “Sine Die” adjournment, but there are still many more weeks of work ahead.