Legislative update - Week 10

The days are absolutely packed this week. There are enough bills coming across the house floor now, that we are coming to the floor twice a day, usually. 

My house bill 433 has passed the Senate floor and is headed to the Governor’s office to be signed. I am humbled and excited to see this becoming law. The updated hiring skills based hiring practices by state agencies that will come about as a result of this law will be a benefit across the state. The bill I worked on with Rep Mark Sautter to update the public works licensing section of code also passed off the Senate floor. I’m optimistic we’ll see more use of local contractors for small public works contracts throughout the state as a result. I’m always glad when I can work with my contracting community to improve opportunities in the state of Idaho. 

There is a fascinating energy in the house this week as the filing period to run for office draws to a close. One of the most important ways that our state moves forward is by continuing to have good people willing to run, and by having hard working citizens show up to vote. 

We heard two bills related to foster care in the state of Idaho. I am always grateful for the families who are willing and able to provide a safe & loving space for some of the most vulnerable of Idaho’s children. SB1379 places important guardrails and accountability measures in place to make sure foster children are not placed in short term rentals for more than 2 weeks without a documented emergency. SB1380 creates an independent office of health and social services ombudsman, with the ability for thorough oversight and investigation into complaints in the foster care system. It was sobering to learn of the need for these bills, and I was moved to see them pass. 

The days are full. The issues are many and varied. The good legislators who represent you are hard workers, care deeply for their communities, and it is a true honor to work alongside them on your behalf.