Idaho Legislature

Earlier this week, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law what’s been dubbed the Clean Slate Act. The bipartisan legislation allows people with “minor non-violent, non-sexual offenses” to ask to shield their criminal record from public view if they meet certain conditions.

CAFOs are not eligible for one of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s main water quality improvement grants, so agriculture industry groups lobbied the legislature for a separate program.

Supporters of the bill point to the increase in opioid overdoses in Idaho as a reason mandatory minimums should be implemented, while opponents say minimum sentences haven't been proven to reduce drug use or prevent more overdose deaths.

While cases have grown more than tenfold, the office has only grown from 12.5 staff when it was established, to 21 at the start of this year. Two new deputy attorneys general will boost that to 23.

Idaho Matters takes a look at the news that made headlines this week, including a proposed bill that could eliminate marriage licenses, a modification to the Idaho legislatures ban on testimony from minors and why there is a push for more career technical education funding.

The debate over school choice is heating up in Idaho.

Last year the economy saw a steep decline in consumer sentiment, an increase in inflation and added pressure to the cost of living crisis. This year economists, like Robert Spendlove, are visiting with Idaho lawmakers to discuss these trends and provide insight into how they may change or stay the same in the coming months.

Idaho Matters breaks down the 2023 State of the State address, looking at the Governors proposed budgets and policies.

The Idaho Legislature kicks off its 2023 session today and unlike in past years no one is quite sure what’s going to happen inside the walls of the Idaho Statehouse.

Thursday morning, the Idaho Press Club hosted its legislative preview with Governor Brad Little and a panel of lawmakers, who took questions on the record about their priorities for the 2023 Idaho Legislative Session, which starts Monday.