Bills of Interest

2008 Legislative Session

March 10 through March 14, 2008

Bills Introduced in the House

H0606 – TRANSPORTATION – Prohibits the Department of Transportation from implementing the provisions of the federal Real ID Act.

H0608 – APPROPRIATIONS – Appropriates $300,600 for the Office of Drug Policy and $14,729,000 for statewide community based substance abuse services.

H0619 – WATER – Permits the diversion, without a water right, of small amounts of water from natural water courses for forest dust abatement and forest practices defined by the Idaho Forest Practice Act; provides an appeal process for water right holders who believe they are being deprived of water by such use.

H0624 – ELECTIONS – Allows persons with disabilities, serving full-time in the military, or serving as full-time missionaries to become permanent absentee voters.

H0634 – WATER – Revises notice requirements for applications to appropriate waters of the State of Idaho; requires notice to be accessible through the Department of Water Resources website, and notice to be provided by email to those who submit a written request for email notice.

H0637 – ELECTIONS – Limits all election dates to the fourth Tuesday in May and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, except that school supplemental levy elections may be held on the second Tuesday of March or the Tuesday following the first Monday of September.

H0643 – CRIMES – Adopts the Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008, prohibiting the introduction of invasive species; provides that a knowing violation is a misdemeanor punishable up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $3,000.

HCR056 – CRIMES – Resolves that prison facilities should not be used for treatment or confinement of persons with mental illness who have not been convicted of a crime or charged with commission of a violent crime, and that a separate secure facility for the treatment of people whose mental illness and behavior pose an unusual risk of injury to themselves or others should be established under the administration of the Department of Health and Welfare.

HCR058 – CRIMES – Authorizes the Board of Correction to enter into agreements with the State Building Authority to provide for the development of a secure mental health treatment facility.

Bills Introduced in the Senate

S1484 – ELECTIONS – Requires initiatives to include a statement of fiscal impact.

S1498 – APPROPRIATIONS – Appropriates moneys from the Permanent Building Fund, including $175,600 for the Law Learning Center.

S1502 – APPROPRIATIONS – Supreme Court FY 2009 appropriation for $42,326,300.