On Monday the Senate passed HB 214 which amends and strengthens Idaho’s paternity statutes. The legislation is intended to make sure that at the end of an adoption all parties can feel contentment and a sense of peace. The Senate Education Committee had a busy afternoon passing a slate of bills: H 206, H 221, H205 and S 1148. All of these bills were sent to the amending order on the Senate calendar.

Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee heard public testimony on HB 248 (the House bill on the state exchange). After public testimony the bill passed the Committee on an 8-1 vote. The bill now moves to the floor of the Senate for debate. The full Senate passed S 1136. This bill bans the formula of two new forms of synthetic cannabis and aims to keep Idaho’s citizens safe from harmful substances.

Wednesday morning the State Affairs Committee heard testimony on the “Add the Words” legislation. This legislation would ban workplace and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation. The actual legislation is not going to come up this session. The Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 019. HCR 019 is intended to showcase the problem of physical inactivity and poor eating habits and increase awareness of the role of nutrition and physical activity in a healthy lifestyle. This HCR will also aid in writing and securing grants and foundation dollars for needed projects, interventions and research to improve the health and reduce healthcare costs for citizens in Idaho. Later in the evening the Senate voted on several amendments relating to education bills HB 206, HB 221, SB 1147 and SB 1148. The bills will be amended and returned to the reading order to be voted on at a later date.

Thursday, the Senate took up HB 248 (state exchange). After meaningful debate and conversation the bill passed.

Friday, the Senate passed SB 1149. SB 1149 would require that both sides show good faith in school contract negotiations by proving they have majority support of their members. In everyday life for a business to survive it must have the support of its employees and customers and this is no different.

On Monday the Senate passed SB 1108 which would allow rural communities to have more of a say in the initiative process by requiring that 6% of registered voters in 18 of 35 legislative districts signal their support for the initiative to make the ballot. In the Education Committee testimony was heard on H 206, 221, and 224 regarding funding, renewals and contracts for charter schools.

Tuesday, the Senate passed SB 1079 which creates an Internet Crimes against Children Unit within the Office of the Attorney General. The creation of this unit would allow for the additional hiring of staff needed to aid in investigating and prosecuting those who use the Internet and technology to exploit children. The ICACU would partner with local and state law enforcement agencies to pursue the prevention of sexual exploitation of Idaho’s children. In the Senate Commerce Committee “opportunity grants” were unanimously supported. These grants would provide aid to local communities to attract and keep new businesses.

On Wednesday the Senate passed SCR 124 which asking the federal government to cleanup networks of trails damaged by years of wildfire. The Frank-Church–River of No Return Wilderness area would be designated a natural disaster area allowing for its cleanup by the US Forest Service. The move ensures Idaho taxpayers are not responsible for paying for land the federal government should be taking care of. The Senate also passed HB 159 which would allow the Nez Perce Convention Center to receive a liquor license. This would promote economic activity in the area and create new jobs.

Thursday, the Senate and Judiciary Rules Committee unanimously voted to add two version of synthetic marijuana, “spice,” to the state’s list of banned substances. The additions now allow law enforcement and local police agencies to crack down on its distribution.

Friday, the Senate had the honor to unanimously pass SCR 124, a Senate Concurrent Resolution that honored five fallen Idaho servicemen. The five fallen servicemen who gave their lives in the service of their country are listed here: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Brown, 27; U.S. Army Sergeant Chris J. Workman, 33; U.S. Army Private First Class Cody O. Moosman, 24; U.S. Army Specialist Ethan J. Martin, 22 and U.S. Army Private First Class Shane G. Wilson, 20.

On Monday the Senate passed HCR 5; this resolution supports renaming the Capitol Auditorium the “Abraham Lincoln Auditorium. The move honors one of America’s greatest Presidents and marks the sesquicentennial territorial celebration for Idaho. Idaho’s Senators and Governor attended the festivities and Governor Otter spoke, stating “Idaho’s people are no different today than they were in 1863. They had then and we have now an obligation to be the architects of our own destiny.” Earlier in the morning JFAC set the teachers division and operating divisions for Idaho’s public education budget.

Wednesday was a very busy day in the Legislature. JFAC set the budgets for the Department of Administration, the State Department of Corrections and the Permanent Building Fund. In State Affairs legislators approved SB 1108 which would ensure that a greater geographic distribution of votes by legislative districts would be required to have an initiative qualify for the ballot. This would allow rural voters to have a greater say in the process while not disenfranchising urban voters. SB 1117 passed the full Senate. The bill would allow extra-heavy trucks to traverse 35 designated Southern Idaho roads. This would allow businesses to ship goods more efficiently and save money to hire more employees.

On Thursday the Senate passed SB 1078 which prohibits Idaho public postsecondary educational institutions from discriminating against a religious student group based on the religious student group’s requirement that its leaders adhere to its sincerely held religious. The law protects the rights of religious student groups to choose their members and preserves their 1st Amendment’s right to freedom of religion.

Friday morning JFAC set Idaho’s budget at $2.783 billion. The budget is a 3% increase from last year and accounts for increased demand for public services and providing additional support to education. Over the next month JFAC will work with the Legislative Services Office to set individual agencies budgets and provide agencies with the resources and flexibility they need to help keep Idaho thriving. Idaho Senators also had the chance to chat with the newest Idaho State Police graduating class. These brave men and women put their lives on the line to serve Idaho’s citizens and we should all be grateful they do.

On Monday the Senate voted overwhelmingly to support SCR 112.  The Senate Concurrent Resolution states that the chamber does not support marijuana use in any form.  A Concurrent Resolution does not have the force of law but is simply a statement of support.  Later in the session the chamber voted to support Idaho’s “primacy” declaration through SB 1061.  The bill states that it is against state policy for any threatened or endangered species to be introduced in the state without Idaho’s approval.  This action ensures Idaho is exercising its sovereign rights under the 10^th Amendment to manage its wildlife.

The Senate passed HCR 4 on Tuesday, honoring two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong for her achievements not just in sports, but also for being a positive role model for Idaho’s youth.  The Chamber also approved SB 1100 which would define Health Care Sharing Ministries as exempt from being labeled an insurance company.  A HCSM is a purely voluntary Healthcare cost-sharing agreement between individuals who share the same beliefs.  It is administered by a non-profit organization and offers a unique way to lower Healthcare costs into the future.  Lastly, the Senate approved HB 29, which approves funding for three more district court justices, one each in Ada, Jefferson and Canyon Counties.  This will help fulfill a “Continual obligation that we share with the 3^rd branch of government, and that obligation is to provide access to justice for every person through timely, fair and impartial resolution of cases,” said Senator Patti Anne Lodge.

On Wednesday the Sen. State Affairs printed a constitutional amendment that would eliminate gender and age for state run militia members. The militia is recognized both by the state and the feds as an organization controlled solely by states (not under the auspice of the federal government.). By eliminating age and gender, most Idahoans can be members of the militia, and as such members could bear arms and not be subject to federal regulation.  This bill will not be heard until next year. As a constitutional amendment, two thirds of the legislative vote are required, then it would then go to the people in Nov. of 2014.  SB 1074 passed the Senate on Wednesday as well.  The bill expands a 1984 law that created a special liquor license for the Lewiston Roundup, by adjusting the acreage and city-limits rules so that it matches the Caldwell Night Rodeo.  The move has the potential to increase the positive economic impact of Caldwell Night Rodeo, which benefits the entire Treasure Valley.

Thursday, the Senate passed House Concurrent Resolution 3.  This Concurrent Resolution states the support of the Legislature for schools continuing to teach students how to write in cursive.  According to experts, cursive handwriting improves hand-eye coordination.

On Friday, the Senate passed SB 1098, which promotes openness and transparency in teacher-school district negotiations.  The bill had the support of the School Boards Association and the Idaho Education Association.  Also, the Senate voted unanimously to protect the 1^st Amendment Rights of all Idahoans by rejecting Department of Administration rules that would have limited people’s right to protest in and outside the Capitol.

The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted on Monday to give the state final say on whether an endangered species or plant is reintroduced into the state. This vote ensures Idaho is exercising its state sovereignty under the 10th amendment and fighting for the rights of Idahoans. Later the Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to recommend SB 1053. This bill would stagger food stamp distribution over the first 10 days of each month instead of only at the first of each month. The move has the support of retailers and many anti-hunger activists. It now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

On Tuesday JFAC began its first day of setting state agency budgets. Among the budgets set on Tuesday were the Division of Building Safety, the State Lottery, and Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board. The Senate also voted to back SB 1049. The bill would set up a new Governor-appointed oil and gas commission. This would help the state nurture the growing industry and protect the rights of property owners and taxpayers.

The Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday voted to approve SCR 112 and SJM 101. Senate Concurrent Resolution 112 would affirm the state’s position against marijuana use in any form and the Senate Joint Memorial would urge the Federal Government to enforce existing drug laws. The approval of both measures by State Affairs ensures the Senate will hear about protecting Idaho’s youth and that Idaho should urge the Federal Government to enforce its existing laws.

The Senate debated and passed the State Healthcare Exchange after six hours of debate. The final vote was 23-12 and because of the length of the debate no afternoon Committee meetings were held.

On Friday JFAC continued to set multiple, conservative agency budgets, ensuring that Idaho taxpayers money is spent wisely. The Senate sent SB 1053, which dealt with staggering food stamp distribution over the first 10 days of each month, back to the Health and Welfare Committee for further review.