Weeks 7-10 - 2024 Session
The last few weeks in the Capitol have sped by! I've been focusing on raising my hand with the right questions, partnering with folks across the aisle to kill or help along legislation, and speaking with different groups about our state's housing challenges.
Almost every day, I hear from someone new who is losing their housing for the first time. As our state's population has boomed and rent costs have increased by 40%, a majority of Idaho's renters are paying over half of their income towards their rent. For too many people, Idaho simply isn't livable anymore.
This issue is why I'm here in the Capitol, representing the voices of our fellow Idahoans who are most disadvantaged right now. Our state has an important role to play in ensuring Idaho can avoid the mistakes of other governments that have failed to address the housing crisis before it's too late, resulting in rates of homelessness that are impossible to dig out of. And we need to act now: from 2022-2023, evictions in our state doubled, increasing from 2,326 to 3,354 - and the primary reason for those evictions was people's temporary inability to pay their rent.
Just one person I heard from this week, after being evicted in rural Idaho, said,
"I hope that people like you, those that have a powerful voice, advocate for the wrong being done. . . Many people now are already struggling and then being homeless with no resources or guidance is just such a sad and hopeless venture no one should have to endure. . . I hope in sharing this with you, you can take it and show others what is happening."
Because of this person and countless others, I'll continue to speak up on these issues to help ensure every Idahoan has a safe and stable place to call home.
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Housing Legislation
Homeless Youth Shelter Bill (S1328)
I'm pleased to say that the Homeless Youth Shelter bill passed out of the Senate with unanimous support! This bill, co-sponsored by Representative Wroten, aims to protect licensed youth shelters and crisis centers from criminal penalties for housing a runaway child under specific circumstances Under current law, licensed homeless youth shelters are susceptible to a misdemeanor charge if they shelter anyone 17 or younger without parental or guardian consent, causing many vulnerable youth to be turned away. This bill will be heard in the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee tomorrow afternoon.
Eviction Record Shielding Act (S1327)
This bipartisan legislation which I'm proud to co-sponsor with Representative Handy aims to shield from public viewing eviction records in cases where the entire case has been dismissed. The bill is a fair compromise supported by landlords which will allow tenants an incentive and opportunity to get their case dismissed and shielded. The bill passed the Senate with only three "no" votes and is also being heard in the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee tomorrow.
Email Committee members at the link below to ask them to support these bills!
Email Representatives Here!
Preemption of Source of Income Protections and Fee Limits (HB545)
This bill has a hearing in Senate Commerce Committee tomorrow. It prohibits Cities from regulating fees or requiring landlords to consider accepting tenants with housing vouchers.
Most landlords in our area are now are large, out-of-state companies, and most recently they have been taking advantage of tenants with exorbitant application and other fees. I have met with tenants who are looking for new housing who have paid hundreds of dollars in application fees, without even a single response back. In response to this issue, the City engaged all stakeholders to pass an ordinance which limits application fees to a reasonable $30, which is more related to the actual cost of what landlords incur when running background checks.
In addition, other folks can't find housing with their Section 8 vouchers. Another City ordinance required landlords to at least consider those applicants and let them be in the running for every rental, even though ultimately they don't have to choose them.
Email Committee members at the link below to ask them to oppose this bill!
Email Senators Here!
Prohibition on Regulating Short-Term Rentals (HB506)
Another pre-emption bill, this would have limited cities' abilities to limit the use of short-term rentals in Idaho. Short-term rentals pose a huge problem in Idaho as out-of-state investors continue to purchase our housing stock to lease out as Airbnbs, and cities should have the ability to respond. Luckily, this bill was held in the House Committee where it was being considered. Read more here, and let's hope the pause button on this bill stays.
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Other Legislative Updates
School Facilities (HB 521) This is the 2024 session's "Frankenstein" bill, which seeks to address school facilities, but has many issues that I do not believe are in the best interest of Idaho schools, such as the following:
It creates another permanent tax reduction, from 5.8% to 5.695% as well as a corporate tax reduction, while giving little relief to working families' income, gas, and grocery taxes.
It has an unequal distribution of facilities funds, giving larger districts with newer facilities and the ability to pass bonds and levies the most money, leaving rural districts in a continued lurch.
It removes the August date for school district elections.
Schools can’t receive the money if they have a 4-day week.
School districts can not include diversity statements.
It provides the Governor the ability to appoint the President and Executive Director of the State Board of Education...
...and the list goes on.
Obviously, the bill is also very likely a violation of the single-subject rule as it covers over two dozen sections of Code. Overall, the bill falls short of achieving its goals and fails to provide the necessary support for our schools. The bill is currently waiting to be debated on the Senate floor. I may vote in favor as it does increase school facility funding, but I am hoping that at least the funding distribution formula can get fixed.
Traditional Family Values Month (HCR 35) This concurrent resolution's purpose is to establish Traditional Family Values Month, to celebrate a mother and father raising their biological children. This resolution blatantly excludes any families that may not fit into that mold, such as same-sex parents, single parents, blended families, and adoptive families. I will oppose this bill.
Pronouns (HB 538) This harmful legislation aims to enable public employees to purposefully misgender Idahoans. It passed the House of Representatives 58-11, and is now heading to the Senate. I'll be voting against.
Gender-Affirming Care (HB 668) Yet another attack on the trans community, HB 668 would prohibit any public funds from being used for gender-affirming care. It is up for debate on the Senate floor. I'll oppose this.
Needle Exchange Program (HB 617) This bill intends to repeal the Syringe and Needle Exchange Act. Needle exchange programs have been proven effective in improving the health and safety of those who inject drugs, as well as those who may be incidentally exposed to discarded needles. It unfortunately passed out of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee and will be up for debate on the Senate floor. I oppose this bill.
Guns in Schools (HB 415) The amendments to this bill have introduced more comprehensive guidelines regarding the arming of school employees on school property. Despite these improvements, the bill was held in committee. I remain hesitant to support any legislation that may pose risks to the well-being of students and increase the presence of guns in schools. Our top priority should be creating a safe and supportive learning environment for our students.
Counseling Compact (HB 393) I voted in favor of the counseling compact, which would have allowed counselors to utilize telehealth to practice in other states for Idaho residents. Unfortunately, it narrowly failed to pass the Senate 17-18.
Electroconvulsive Treatment for Children (S1354) This bill would have allowed for electroconvulsive treatment to be used on adolescents aged 12 and older with parental consent. I voted against this as I have concerns about the safety of this treatment, which is currently banned by WHO and has previously been banned by the FDA. This bill passed the Senate 23-12, and is on its way to the House.
Children's Health Record Privacy (S1329) While I believe parents should be playing an active role in their children’s healthcare, I could not support S1329 which would have required providers to turn over all health records in every case, including those related to mental health. All children are not fortunate enough to have supportive and understanding parents, and children in strict or abusive households need to access medical care independently, without fearing repercussions. The bill passed the Senate 27-7 and is now headed to the House.
Library Bill (HB 710) Once again, our libraries are under threat as another bill has been introduced, seeking to place restrictions on books, while also making libraries vulnerable to financial penalties. I remain committed to opposing this legislation, as I have done for every library bill introduced this session.
School vouchers (HB447) The school tax credit voucher scheme reappeared (again) and luckily was voted down in the House Education Committee. It would have provided parents who choose to send their kids to private school with a $5,000 tax credit. It did not allow for any accountability and could be used for any type of schooling, ultimately shifting money away from our already struggling public schools.
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Town Hall Update
Our second town hall was a big hit! We discussed all of the big issues and fielded many great questions from District 16 residents. We've had a lot of late nights at the Capitol recently and expect those to continue, so our next town hall will be scheduled after the session is over. Stay tuned!
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