WEEK SIX LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week of February 14 - 18, 2022
The sixth week of the Sixty-Sixth Idaho Legislature's Second Regular Session was the most fast-paced and intense week of the session so far. Following the massive influx of bills last week ahead of print deadlines for non-privileged committees, the chairmen and committee members packed meeting agendas with robust debates as they worked to beat the transmittal deadline where Senate bills need to be to the House and vice versa. With many committees meeting at the same time, legislators were scrambling between their committee assignments this week, leaving many seats empty as legislators were presenting their bills to another committee.
The estuary of the Governor’s budget recommendation and JFAC priorities was finally realized this morning as the first supplementals for transportation passed out of JFAC on a 20-0-0 vote for a “DO PASS” recommendation – this was historic. This package includes a one-time $200 Million-dollar cost from the General Fund. It is the first of two transportation funding packages expected to roll out this session. It is also a signal that the State’s leaders’ priorities are in unison this year, which illustrates a stark contrast from last year’s approach, which is a much-welcomed change. The results from this week have us believe this to be one of the most efficient and succinct sessions in many years.
One point of contention between JFAC and the Governor’s Office was over the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) recommendation. A motion from Rep. Scott Syme (R – 11) produced a recommendation for a 3% increase and a $1.25 per unit increase, which passed on a 15-5-0 vote – no other motions were made on this proposal, despite rumors of a heated debate, at least so far. With floor votes looming, the CEC increase, which would result in an average increase of 7% in pay for state employees starting in July, is likely to be debated. Depending on how the $1.25 fits into state employees’ pay, it could make a very large or very small difference in their salary.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Idaho Capitol, bills have begun to hit the Governor’s Desk and creative signing ceremonies outside the Capitol are taking place for the big-ticket items. Governor Little continues to quickly treat each bill he receives, signaling yet again that the House, Senate, and Governor have reached a consensus on many topics and are all eager to get through session quickly.
With the Governor’s supported “trifecta” of tax cuts, education funding, and transportation funding all well underway as part of his Leading Idaho initiative, many other policies are also working their way through the legislative process. Regulatory reforms attempts to curb rules processes, further revisions to licensure, and many more tax and education bills continue to work through committees. Some bills have sparked robust debate and questions from the committee while others seem to be on a fast track for passage.
With the halfway point behind us, the pace at which the session moves will continue to ramp up next week. Budget setting is on schedule, and committees are racing to get their work done. Floor sessions continue to get longer each day and, after many attempts by a small group of legislators to hijack legislation and introduce the repeal of the grocery tax, the calendars grow longer. Extended floor debates are setting the stage for multiple lengthy floor sessions each day in the weeks ahead. Predictions over who will complete their work first, the House or Senate, have started to be murmured throughout the halls of the basement of the Capitol, but there are still weeks ahead to get things through the process, with no shortage of ideas and bills left unintroduced that could delay or derail the session.