This week stretched our parliamentary abilities. HB404 (HB404A3) which prohibits camping on Capitol Mall property and other state-owned lands, was sent to the amending order which allows Senators the opportunity to propose changes to the bill. There were three amendments proposed, and only one of them passed. The first amendment, sponsored by Senator Dan Schmidt (D-6), would have allowed a camping exemption for university campuses. In current form, the bill does not allow citizens to camp or tailgate overnight on public university grounds. The second amendment, sponsored by Senator Dan Johnson (R-7), proposed that the emergency clause requiring the immediate evacuation of all encampment sites (including the Occupy Boise Movement) be extracted from the bill’s language. The reasoning behind this amendment was to acknowledge that the Occupy Boise Movement poses no imminent threat. With his amendment, the law would be enacted on July 1, 2012 as regular legislation is, instead of 24-hours after its passage. The third amendment, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, changes the language of the bill to address personal belongings as “property” instead of “litter”. In the event that citizens do not remove their property from the encampment site in the expeditious manner required by the bill, the state will store their items for up to 90 days. Property will be released to its owner for a “reasonable fee”.
The first and third amendments were both passed after a confusing round of debate, and it was decided that the first amendment would conflict with the third. In turn, the majority party voted to keep the third amendment and kill the first. As it reads now, the bill remains almost exactly the same as it did in original form, except the state can now charge citizens money for storing their property. The emergency clause stays in place. Once the bill passes in the Senate, as I expect will happen, it will go back to the House of Representatives again for a vote because it was amended. If it passes, it will go to the Governor’s desk for signature and will become law. I firmly believe in our right to assemble and free speech and will vote no.
The Resources and Environment committee unanimously passed the Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) rules. It may sound surprising that all committee members were in favor of the rules, but it is important to understand that if the rules did not pass there would be no regulations in place for the oil and gas industry in Idaho. This is something we simply cannot allow. There are two bills related to fracking that I’m working to get a print hearing on in committee. One of them prohibits the use of cancer causing chemicals while fracking, and the other requires the industry to make considerations of public health, safety, and the welfare of Idahoans a part of their mission statement. We will be seeing five bills that were passed in the House which will further define how the industry will operate.
In State Affairs committee, I had the honor of listening to Senate Minority Leader Edgar Malepeai (D-30) present a bill that I co-sponsored to add four words to the Idaho Human Rights Act in order to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. His presentation was emotional and passionate, and it was my sincere hope that it would move the members of the committee to allow a print hearing for this bill with public testimony. Unfortunately, Senator Malepeai and I were the only ones to vote “yes”, while the rest of the committee voted “no”. We cannot begin to understand each other if we don’t allow dialog. I hope one day Idaho will at least try.
As always, I welcome any suggestions or comments you have to offer. It is my honor to serve District 25. I can be reached by calling (208) 332-1353 or toll-free 1-800-626-0471, via email atmstennett@senate.idaho.gov, or by mail to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720. I apologize if the delivery of this email was unwelcome. If you have moved from the district or would simply prefer to no longer receive these emails, please use the ‘Safeunsubscribe’ link below, or reply to this email with the word “Unsubscribe” in the Subject line. Thank you for your understanding.
