Brandon's View

Friends,

We are winding down as we shoot for the end date of March 25th. Most of the bills that we voted on have been appropriations bills. Committee meetings have been at the call of the chair in most committees sand my committees have been the same.

On Monday we had Congressman Russ Fulcher come and address the body. He brought news from Washington D.C. and the concerns that he has as well as the good that has been done. He announced that he is cancer free and sends his sincere appreciation for the prayers from the good people of Idaho. It was a great opportunity to meet with Congressman Fulcher in a small meet and greet in Lewiston last Saturday March 12th. I would like to thank Congressman Fulcher for his service to the great state of Idaho.

Thursday March 17th, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a group of youth dancers that shared their talents on the house floor. The acoustics in the rotunda is designed to help voices carry throughout the house. This is so that we can all hear the debate clearly. It is fun to walk backwards to the middle of the house floor while talking. You can hear the sound surround you. These dancers used tap shoes on boards and it was quite loud, but it was great to see their talent.

Committees:

Health and Welfare:

We heard a bill that failed before and was re-worked to pass. H0780 replaced S1286. S1286 was not worded well and that is what I chose to vote against it originally. The new bill was much cleaner and I was in support. This simply moves authority from one place in code to another and is required if we are to continue utilizing psychologist extenders to improve mental health in Idaho.

Business:

There was not much happening this week. We did cover a few licenses and rules that needed to be completed. The only bill that we did hear is the Pause Act. S1381 was voted on and passed through committee to the house floor. We voted on Friday and passed this act. The Pause Act is to protect Idahoan form the push that we saw on Vaccine Mandates. This legislation ends 1 year after the end of the emergency order put in place by Governor Little. He has stated that he will be ending the State of Emergency on April 15th. That means that this law (if passed by the Governor) will end next year in April.

S1298 is part the Consumer Protection Act. It is designed to make sure that those businesses who allow for online subscription, must also allow for online cancelation. It has a few working parts that will protect the people of Idaho from getting tied into a long term contract and cannot get out of it.

Transportation and Defense:

We did not meet this week.

Sincerely,

Brandon

I have decided that I will be running for the House of Representatives in District 6. Serving the people in District 5 has been great and I look forward to meeting those in Nez Perce and Lewis Counties while continuing to get to better know those in Latah County.

This session I have really been able to get to know many here in Boise and created great relationships with all members from both sides. It has been great to work with so many great people. I think one thing that I will be focused on next year will be to slow down the number of bills introduced so that we can get things done that are important to all Idahoans. There will be a shift in leadership next year with the Speaker of the House running for Lt. Governor and several people retiring, things will change quite a bit and I will fight to get good legislation moving through.

We are winding down this session and doing all of the appropriation bills (paying our bills). Our target Sine Die date is March 25th. Many are eager to get out and meet people in their new district. We did have one bill that was being presented this session to assist in Property Tax Relief. I am sure you have all heard about H0741. This is a complicated bill with many moving parts. It appears that the sponsor might be holding it until next year to get the public more information on the ins and outs. I hear that there will be a website setup for more information. After a few people here locally did the math, they all liked it, however, many still do not understand it. I have sat down with both sponsors and I feel like I have a better grasp, but I still have some reservations of the unintended consequences. I will be throughout figuring out all the intricate pieces this summer so that I will be better prepared for next year to explain how it works (good or bad).

I presented H0527 in Senate transportation this week and it was sent to the Senate Floor with a do pass recommendation. This year ITD is redoing their contract for out driver’s license. I presented a bill to add the option for the US Citizenship designation to be added to the license. This is designed to be much easier to do than the star card but will allow you to use the license for things like voting, government assistance, and other reasons to prove citizenship. I anticipate that this will pass the Senate and go into law.

Committee work has been hit and miss this week. With late times on the floor cleaning up final bills, we have been addressing less and less in committees.

Best,

Brandon

This week started off with an opportunity to recognize some good US citizens from the Ukraine. It was a pleasure to welcome them to the House Gallery. This means more that they are participating in our government given the conflict in their home country.

On Thursday we passed HJM006 condemns Russia for attacking the Ukraine. It simply states that Idaho does not approve of the attacks that are being made upon a peaceful nation who declared their independence over 30 years ago. We commend the people of Ukraine for their resolve to keep their sovereignty.

We also addressed H0650 which addresses school curriculum. It creates a committee that consist of twelve (12) members, with three (3) who are teachers, one (1) who is a district school board member, one (1) who is a member of the school district administration, one (1) who is a community member, and six (6) who are parents of a child or children attending a school within the school district. This gives parents a voice in what is being taught in the school district.

H0499 Is designed to help those who are working behind the scenes with Law Enforcement. It will add those who run our law enforcement communications team by adding them to the State PERSI system. These men and women work in a very demanding job and can now retire under rule 90. These individuals go through POST training and are subject to stressful work environment. I feel that this was a good bill.

H0640 passed the house on a 51-17 vote. We need better broadband throughout our region. This was a tough vote for me because I had some issues with this bill as it hurt smaller companies and put some other companies completely out of the negotiation table. In the bill it gave definition to a broadband supplier by stating: “Broadband provider" means any entity that provides broadband services, including but not limited to a telecommunications provider, cable service provider, broadband provider, cellular provider, political subdivision that provides broadband services, electric cooperative that provides broadband services, electric utility that provides broadband services, state government entity that provides broadband services, tribal government that provides broadband services, internet service provider, or private-public partnership established for the purpose of expanding broad- band in the state.

In Lewiston and other parts of this great state, there are companies that install fiber optics so that they can rent them to smaller companies that cannot afford to install their own. This is good for the small businesses in our area. The issue with this portion of the bill is that this company cannot utilize this program because they do not “provide” broadband services.

Committee work:

Health and Welfare:

We are starting to work on Senate bills so not much to report. You can see what is happening in the agendas listed on the link.

Transportation and Defense:

H0683 was addresses and sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. This is another parent rights bill by allowing parents to teach their children the drivers education course. It has been a big topic on both sides of the argument. The concern is that we would see more accidents. This is done in a few other states and what I have found out, is that this is something that I cannot seem to draw a coordination to. In 2021, Alaska was ranked 5 in the states while in 2020, they were ranked 1. Alaska does allow for parents to teach the drivers education if they so choose. Idaho ranked 36th in the nation for the year 2021. You can find that information here.

House Business:

This week we worked on bills to adjust some of the rules and building codes. These bills actually make things easier to run business by taking away some of the unneeded rules. You can find all the bills that we discussed by clicking on the link above.

This has been another great week here in Boise. On Sunday I was able to sit in to assist the 4-H group of youth with their “Get to know your government” conference. It was amazing to watch and help them in the process. We discussed the process and allowed them to run a bill on their own. They came up with ideas and made amendments to the bill. The next morning all the 4-H program invited the legislature to breakfast. We were able to meet with youth from our own district. I would like to thank the 4-H group for an excellent weekend and I look forward to next years program. This is an important program and a great opportunity to learn how Government works.

The rest of the week was busy and we were finally able to get several bills through. On Monday, we recessed for lunch and was back on the house floor at 1:40 PM. That part of the floor session lasted well past 3:00 and then we ran committee meetings. It was a long day for us in the Capitol.

On Tuesday we introduced and passed a House Joint Memorial directed to Governor Jay Inslee of Washington State. HJM005 directs a letter to Governor Jay Inslee to kill the gas tax bill that the Washington State Senate has passed. This law that was passed in Washington would add a $.06 tax to all diesel and gasoline brought into the state of Idaho. This is an issue of taxation without representation. We are taking a stand to protect the citizens of Idaho form an unfair tax burden.

A hot topic bill was H0475 that was brought to us by the military. This removes a code that has not been used in over 100 years. The reason for the removal of this section is that it is already in code elsewhere and this section is not something that our military could even control. It was in the wrong place in the code, so based on the “red tape reduction act” that Governor Little has asked for, the military asked us to remove it for them.

We are really in the thick of things now. The peoples work is moving fast and we are starting to make several decisions.

I would like to take a minute to give each of you a small insight as to how I process and make decisions.First and foremost, I always look at my emails as I ponder the different bills ahead of us. If the bill goes through a committee in which I sit, then I have full information and the decision is usually made in committee (sometimes that changes by the time it is on the floor). If it is not in one of my committees, then I sit down each night and look through the bills on the reading calendar. I start with the bills on the 3rd reading calendar. I place a “Y”, “N”, “Y?”, “N?”, or a “?”.

I then move to the 2nd reading calendar and start moving through those bills. After the first night of this, I am usually caught up so that I am just looking at the 2nd reading calendar each night. I share this so that my constituents can navigate my thought process to allow for input from each of you.

On Thursday we recognized our Pages for the first half of the session. Next week we will have a new group to that we will get trained. Without a staff, we are left to do most of our work by ourselves. These young men and women work hard to assist us and we are blessed to have them.

Committees

Health and Welfare:

We have worked on budgets most of the week, but we did move a bill to allow for individual rights to those who might be in assisted living facilities. H0601 was passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation. We had a very robust discussion and it boiled down to the rights of those living in the facility. This would make it so that nursing homes would not be able to stop a visit, but they would still be able to require the same PPE as the staff is wearing to protect the individuals.

H0561 was passed through committee with a do pass recommendation

Transportation and Defense:

H0526 addresses an issue with commercial licenses and allows for a path to regain a license after loosing it. It DOES NOT allow for those who lost it for homicide or human trafficking. This did pass the house unanimously.

H0479 addresses issues that have arisen with UTVs. Our UTVs today are made longer than normal. Most UTVs in today’s market are longer than the law allowed. This simply extends the length so that longer UTVs like 4 seaters will be register correctly and under the law.

On Wednesday we discussed H0475 which would eliminate a law that has been on the books since 1927. The restrictions in this code section are antiquated and are clear violations of the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 9, 10, and 11 of the Idaho Constitution. We did have quite a few people signed up to testify for and against. The bill was sent to the house floor with no recommendation. There was concerns that removing this would somehow put us in more danger, however, we already have it in code elsewhere.

H0525 is designed to assist in the trucking industry shortage. It extends the commercial learners permit from 180 days to 1 full year. This is good for Idaho and for the shortage in the trucking industry.

Business:

H0581 was introduced and sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. This legislation ensures the individual rights of employees to not be discriminated against in the work force because of their vaccination status in regard to COVID-19 or any other emergency use authorized vaccine. It was a great discussion and ultimately passed and sent to the house floor.

This week we have really picked up. I have had the great opportunity to meet with our County elected officials. Getting to know the people in Latah a little better, the good people in Lewis and Nez Perce counties was great as well. Unfortunately, I didn’t see anyone from Benewah county, but I have met them in the past. I am so appreciative of the wonderful conversations and thank them for their service to their particular counties.

Looking at the political climate of today, I am striving to build positive relationships. These opportunities bring people and ideas together. Moving forward this session, we see some bills come forward to assist in Property tax relief, education funding, and voter integrity laws. I will be looking over the different bills so that I have a firm understanding on how they will effect the people of District 5. I look forward to getting to know the good people of Lewis and Nez Perce counties.

HCR29 passed the house health and welfare unanimously and it was sent to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation. This bill is to recognize the ACEs program (adverse childhood experiences) and asks for entities to utilize this program. This is a big win for the ACEs program and has a ton of support from our district. On the house floor it was passed on Thursday.

H0507 was introduced this week and is designed to allow Archery Hunters in Idaho to use lighted nocks and/or mechanical broadheads. I brought this legislation forward as an answer to an issue that has been being requested since 2014. Both technologies are better for the environment and for a more humane taking of game. All too often game that has been wounded are left in the wilderness and forgotten when they cannot be found. Lighted nocks allow for easier retrieval of game when the arrow stays in the animal and makes the arrow easier to find if the shot is a pass-through or a miss. This is good for the outdoors so that we have less arrows left in the woods for animals or humans to step on while enjoying the great outdoors.

Mechanical broadheads aid in the tracking of game as well as a faster kill. This is done by creating a larger cavity allowing for a fast death and larger blood trail to locate the game. This also aids in the taking by creating a more accurate shot placement because it flies more like the practice tips.

H0422 was introduced in Business. The meeting was very informative and was one of the longest debates that I have seen. My take is that this bill protects small business (property management companies). As we discussed this topic we had several people come forward for and against. It was not an easy decision. We had one property manager come in opposition for this bill, but in questioning, I feel like we drilled to the bottom of the issue (see point 1 below). As I pondered on this bill, I was drawn to two issues:

  1. The honest property management companies should not be harmed due to bad actors. I believe that there is a way to protect the consumer without harming the business. Making ordinances to regulate how these fees are collected and not the amount would be a great start.
  2. Fees will automatically increase over time and if we put a limit on those costs, then the property management companies will need to eat that cost. If a municipality can control one fee, what stops them from other fees in different industries?

This law was created 30 years ago and was intended to be on all fees. The fees portion was missed so this really is just a cleanup bill.

We are really in the thick of things now. The peoples work is moving fast and we are starting to make several decisions.

I would like to take a minute to give each of you a small insight as to how I process and make decisions.First and foremost, I always look at my emails as I ponder the different bills ahead of us. If the bill goes through a committee in which I sit, then I have full information and the decision is usually made in committee (sometimes that changes by the time it is on the floor). If it is not in one of my committees, then I sit down each night and look through the bills on the reading calendar. I start with the bills on the 3rd reading calendar. I place a “Y”, “N”, “Y?”, “N?”, or a “?”.

I then move to the 2nd reading calendar and start moving through those bills. After the first night of this, I am usually caught up so that I am just looking at the 2nd reading calendar each night. I share this so that my constituents can navigate my thought process to allow for input from each of you.

On Thursday we recognized our Pages for the first half of the session. Next week we will have a new group to that we will get trained. Without a staff, we are left to do most of our work by ourselves. These young men and women work hard to assist us and we are blessed to have them.

Committees

Health and Welfare:

We have worked on budgets most of the week, but we did move a bill to allow for individual rights to those who might be in assisted living facilities. H0601 was passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation. We had a very robust discussion and it boiled down to the rights of those living in the facility. This would make it so that nursing homes would not be able to stop a visit, but they would still be able to require the same PPE as the staff is wearing to protect the individuals.

H0561 was passed through committee with a do pass recommendation

Transportation and Defense:

H0526 addresses an issue with commercial licenses and allows for a path to regain a license after loosing it. It DOES NOT allow for those who lost it for homicide or human trafficking. This did pass the house unanimously.

H0479 addresses issues that have arisen with UTVs. Our UTVs today are made longer than normal. Most UTVs in today’s market are longer than the law allowed. This simply extends the length so that longer UTVs like 4 seaters will be register correctly and under the law.

On Wednesday we discussed H0475 which would eliminate a law that has been on the books since 1927. The restrictions in this code section are antiquated and are clear violations of the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 9, 10, and 11 of the Idaho Constitution. We did have quite a few people signed up to testify for and against. The bill was sent to the house floor with no recommendation. There was concerns that removing this would somehow put us in more danger, however, we already have it in code elsewhere.

H0525 is designed to assist in the trucking industry shortage. It extends the commercial learners permit from 180 days to 1 full year. This is good for Idaho and for the shortage in the trucking industry.

Business:

H0581 was introduced and sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. This legislation ensures the individual rights of employees to not be discriminated against in the work force because of their vaccination status in regard to COVID-19 or any other emergency use authorized vaccine. It was a great discussion and ultimately passed and sent to the house floor.


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