>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILL THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> THE SLUR BACK FROM ITS RECESS AND THE TWO CHAMBERS ARE APPROACHING THEIR WORK IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE WITH A CRITICAL EYE TOWARDS BUDGETS AND THE OTHER HOPING TO WRAP UP NEXT WEEK.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

>> HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK SENATE ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER GRANT BURGOYNE GIVES US HIS TAKE ON END OF THE SESSION NEGOTIATIONS AND THE FUTURE OF PROPERTY TAX POLICY, AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO ITEM CHUCK WINDER UPDATES US ON TALKS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON TAXES AND BUDGETS.

>> BUT FIRST LET'S GET YOU CAUGHT UP ON THE WEEK.

THE LEGISLATURE RETURNED FROM A 2½-WEEK RECESS ON TUESDAY, AND DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME PICKING UP DEBATES.

ON TUESDAY, THE HOUSE KILLED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE'S DIVISION OF WELFARE BUDGET, AND ON WEDNESDAY, SHOT DOWN THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET.

FLOOR SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE PAUL AMADOR HAD ASKED THE HOUSE TO REJECT THAT HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET SO THE JOINT FINANCE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE COULD REWORK IT, BUT MEMBERS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE THE BUDGET ANYWAY, AND LAY OUT THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT VERSION.

NAMELY, PUNISHING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIESES FOR SO-CALLED SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS.

YOU CAN FIND THAT DEBATE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

FIND THE LINK AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

>> ON TUESDAY THE SENATE DEBATED A FETAL HEARTBEAT BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT ABORTIONS IN IDAHO.

THAT BILL SPONSORED BY PATTY ANNE LODGE WOULD PROA HILLSBORO AIN'T ABORTION IF A FETAL HEARTBEAT IS DETECTED.

IT THE BILL DOES HAVE EXEMPTIONS FOR PREGNANCY RESULTING FROM RAPE OR INCEST BUT THE VICTIM MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF A POLICE REPORT, WHICH RAISED CONCERNS FROM DEMOCRATS.

>> THIS LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE LEGAL PRECEDENCE AND IDAHO LAW UPHOLDING THAT ABORTION COULD NOT BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE AFTER A HEARTBEAT IS DETERMINED BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

THE ADVANCEMENT IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES HAVE TAKEN HUGE STEPS IN SAVING THE LIVES OF PREBORN CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN.

WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE PREBORN, A STETHOSCOPE WAS USED TO HEAR THE HEARTBEAT.

>> AS TECHNOLOGY GETS BETTER WE CAN HEAR THINGS GOING ON.

WHAT THAT DOES REQUIRE IS THE INTRUSIVENESS OF A VAGINAL ULTRASOUND.

WHICH IS A WAND ABOUT 15 INCHES LONG THAT IS INSERTED INTO THE VAGINA.

NOW, THE REASON I WANTED TO SAY THAT IS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH THE BILL IS THE LANGUAGE ON PAGE 2 THAT PURPORTS TO GRANT AN EXCEPTION FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE, BUT REQUIRES A POLICE REPORT.

REQUIRES A POLICE REPORT.

IT'S REALLY QUITE DIFFICULT TO GET A POLICE REPORT DURING AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION.

I KNOW THIS FROM EXPERIENCE.

AND POLICE RECORDS ARE EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.

>> THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE IN A 28-7 VOTE.

THE HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY ON THE FETAL HEARTBEAT BILL ON FRIDAY, AND ULTIMATELY SENT IT TO THE GENERAL ORDERS FOR AMENDMENT.

>> ON WEDNESDAY, SENATE BILL 1110 HIT THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THAT LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE CITIZENS TO COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM 6% OF VOTERS IN ALL 35 LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO GET AN INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT.

CURRENT IDAHO LAW REQUIRES SIGNATURES FROM 6% OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS IN JUST 18 LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

THE BILL WAS DRAFTED AFTER IDAHOANS PASSED MEDICAID EXPANSION THROUGH A BALLOT INITIATIVE.

>> WE DEET NEED SUPPORT FROM ALL 35 DISTRICTS.

I REALLY WISH WE DID MOST OF THE TIME, BUT WE DON'T.

AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY WE SHOULD PUT THIN CREDIBLY STIFLING RESTRICTION WHEN IT'S THE PEOPLE TRYING TO PASS A BILL.

IF Y'ALL ARE AFRAID OF WHAT THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO WANT TO DO AND WHAT THEIR AGENDA IS, AND YOU FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO BLOCK THAT, YOU MAY BE IN THE WRONG LINE OF WORK.

>> THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCESS IS IN OUR CONSTITUTION, BUT IT WOULD ALSO -- WHAT IS ALSO IN THE LEGISLATION IS THE RIGHT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO SELECT THE PARAMETERS.

THIS IS WITHIN THE RIGHT OF THE 35 DISTRICTS REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM AND IN THE ROOM ACROSS THE ROTUNDA TO MAKE THAT, TO SET THAT WHAT IS APPROPRIATELY.

SO THIS IS NOT STEPPING OUTSIDE OF SOMETHING THAT'S CONSTITUTIONAL FOR US TO ADDRESS THIS IN THIS WAY.

>> THIS IS AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE VOICE IN THE LAW OF EVERYBODY IN IDAHO, IN THE LAW MAKING PROCESS, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO IN AS REPRESENTATIVES.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 51-18 AND IS IN THE GOVERNOR'S HANDS FOR SIGNATURE OR VETO.

RECLAIM IDAHO U.

THE OFFERINGS THAT SUCCESSFULLY LED THE EFFORT TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN 2018, FILED ANOTHER VOTER INITIATIVE THAT WOULD RESTORE IDAHO TO ITS ORIGINAL VOTER INITIATIVE REQUIREMENTS.

10% OF VOTERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PREVIOUS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION, REGARDLESS OF WHERE IN THE STATE THEY LIVE.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS SAID IT WILL CAMPAIGN ON THE ACT ONLY IF SENATE BILL 1110 BECOMES LAW AND SURVIVES COURT CHALLENGES.

>> ON THURSDAY, REPRESENTATIVES OF RECLAIMS THE OF IDAHO AND FORMER IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JIM JONES PRESENTED A PETITION WITH MORE THAN 16,000 SIGNATURES TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ASKING HIM TO VETO THE BILL.

>> WHILE ALL THIS PLAYS OUT PUBLICLY, LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO COME TO A CONSENSUS ON MAJOR ISSUES LIKE BUDGETS, TRANSPORTATION, AND TAXES.

ON FRIDAY I SPOKE TO SENATE ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER GRANT BURGOYNE TO GET HIS TAKE ON WHAT THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO GET DONE BEFORE HEADING HOME.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY, SENATOR BURGOYNE.

I WANTED TO START BY ASKING YOU WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE ABSOLUTELY HAS TO ADDRESS BEFORE ADJOURNING, BESIDES THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE OF SETTING THE BUDGET?

>> WELL, I'M GOING TO JUST -- ABOUT THE BUDGET, FIRST WE HAVE THE STATE BUDGET TO DEAL WITH, AND THEN WE HAVE THE FEDERAL FUNDS, THE AMERICAN RECOVERY ACT PLAN TO DEAL WITH.

AND WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THAT LATER PERHAPS.

BUT IT COULD BE A HUGE GAME-CHANGER FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY.

AND SO BUDGETARY ISSUES ARE HUGE, BUT PROBABLY AT THIS POINT THE BIGGEST LEGISLATION THAT WE NEED TO RESOLVE IN ORDER TO ADJOURN IS TAXES.

WE HAVE THE HOUSE PASSED STATE INCOME TAX CUTS, WHICH THE SENATE HAS NOW PUT INTO ITS AMENDING ORDER.

I THINK THERE'S DISPOSITION IN THE SENATE THAT A DIFFERENT APPROACH OF SOME TYPE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN, WHETHER THOSE ARE MINOR TWEAKS OR WHETHER THAT IS SOMETHING MAJOR IS YET TO BE SEEN.

BUT I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIVITIES SURROUNDING THAT IN THE SENATE.

AND HOW THAT COMES OUT AND WHETHER WE'RE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSE WILL BE THE PRIMARY DETERMINANT ABOUT WHEN WE ADJOURN.

>> AND I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT BUDGET ISSUES, BUT INCOME TAXES AREN'T THE ONLY CONCERN OF IDAHOANS AND LAWMAKERS.

I KNOW THAT PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN A BIG CONCERN FOR YOU AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

EFFORTS DON'T SEEM TO BE GOING ANYWHERE THIS YEAR.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN START TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS ON PROPERTY TAXES OWN THE SUMMER?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK I'VE LEARNED IN LIFE IS THAT DEADLINES MATTER.

AND DEADLINES ARE HELPFUL.

AND WE ARE NOW BEGINNING TO GET UP AGAINST DEADLINES.

NOT ONLY DO INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATORS HAVE A NEED TO WRAP UP THIS SESSION, BUT OUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE A NEED FOR US TO WRAP UP THIS SESSION.

AND THAT POLITICAL REALITY IS HITTING HOME NOW, AND SO THESE DEADLINES ARE GOING TO FORCE US TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THINGS THAT FRANKLY THROUGH THE REST OF THE SESSION HAVE KIND OF GOTTEN KICKED DOWN THE ROAD.

AND SO WE ARE GOING TO COME TO GRIPS WITH TAXES.

WE HAVE TO.

WE CAN'T ADJOURN WITHOUT IT, AND WE'RE NOT STAYING HERE UNTIL JUNE OR JULY.

SO IT'S GOING TO GET RESOLVED, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

PROPERTY TAXES ARE A HUGE ISSUE, AND THERE'S A BROAD CONSENSUS IN MY AREA ACROSS THE ENTIRE TREASURE VALLEY THAT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS EXPAND THE HOMEOWNERS' EXEMPTION AND PASS A CIRCUIT BREAKER BILL THAT WILL PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO IDAHO'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, AND EVERYONE ELSE.

AND THAT TAX RELIEF NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

WHERE WE HAVE UNIQUE FACTORS THAT ARE SIMPLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO AFFORD THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

NOW, THAT CAN BE DONE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, AND I'M GOING TO KEEP AS OPEN A MIND AND BE AS FLEXIBLE AS I CAN BE.

IF WE CAN CUT INCOME TAXES IN A WAY WHERE EVERYBODY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE INCOME SCALE TO THE TOP OF THE INCOME SCALE SEES MEANINGFUL RELIEF, THEN IDAHOANS WILL HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET WITH WHICH TO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

MY PREFERRED METHOD WOULD BE TO ADDRESS PROPERTY TAXES DIRECTLY.

BUT OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING HAVE OTHER IDEAS.

AND IF WE WANT TO HELP OUR CONSTITUENTS, WE HAVE TO BE AS FLEXIBLE AND AS ACCOMMODATING TO OTHER IDEAS AS WE CAN BE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY, SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING WITH OTHER IDEAS ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO TAX POLICY DISCUSSIONS.

AND I'M THINKING OF COURSE OF THE SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TAXATION CHAIRMAN AND THE HOUSE TAX COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.

SO HOW DO YOU, AFTER DISCOURSE THIS PAST SESSION OVER PROPERTY TAXES, AND THE PROPOSAL WHICH DIED IN THE SENATE TO CAP LOCAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING, DO YOU THINK THAT THAT RESET THE DISCUSSION IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY?

OR ARE YOU STILL THAT MUCH FURTHER FROM COMING TO A CONSENSUS?

>> WELL, IT'S VERY HARD TO TELL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO ACHIEVING AGREEMENT.

CONSENSUS IS SOMETHING I THINK AT LEAST I ALWAYS STRIVE FOR, AND OTHER LEGISLATORS DO TOO.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE DO SEE TAX POLICY PASSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT A CONSENSUS.

AND A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

SOMETIMES REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER AND SOMETIMES NOT.

SOMETIMES REPUBLICANS ARE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER WITH EACH OTHER, AND SOMETIMES NOT.

AND THE SAME CAN HOLD TRUE FOR DEMOCRATS.

SO IT'S JUST A LITTLE EARLY, I THINK SOMETIME NEXT WEEK WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE IN THE SENATE ABOUT TAX POLICY.

SENATORS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK OUT THAT ISSUE AMONGST THEMSELVES, AND THEN ONCE THE SENATE HAS WORKED OUT THOSE ISSUES AMONGST THEMSELVES, THEY'VE GOT TO GET TOGETHER WITH THE HOUSE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH.

OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN WE AFFORD TO SPEND ON TAX CUTS?

I AM MORE BULLISH THAN I'VE EVER BEEN ABOUT THAT.

I'M GENERALLY OF THE VIEW THAT WE SHOULD HAVE RELATIVELY LITTLE IN THE WAY OF TAX CUTS, AND HAVE ALWAYS OPPOSED TAX INCREASES.

BUT WITH THE 5% HOLDBACK THAT THE GOVERNOR LITTLE IMPOSED, AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDING REVENUES, DESPITE THE PANDEMIC RECESSION, WE HAVE BEEN SITTING ON AN ENORMOUS SURPLUS, AND WHILE SOME OF THOSE MONIES HAVE GOTTEN COMMITTED THROUGH THE COURSE OF THIS SESSION, AND THAT SURPLUS IS SOMEWHAT SMALLER NOW, WE CAN WELL AFFORD TO PROVIDE THE KIND OF TAX RELIEF THAT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS NEED, FOR EXAMPLE.

NOT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH WHAT I JUST SAID.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A MORE CONSTRAINED VIEW OF OUR BUDGET.

AND MORE WORRY ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO BE FURTHER ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT IMPACT IDAHO.

AND CONSTRAIN THE BUDGET.

BUT WE -- I HAVE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE LOSING THEIR HOUSES TODAY.

AND I AM NOT PREPARED TO SEE MY CONSTITUENTS LOSE THEIR HOMES TODAY BECAUSE OF WORRIES THEORETICAL AT THIS POINT, ABOUT A RECESSION IN TWO OR THREE YEARS THAT MIGHT CONSTRAIN OUR REVENUES.

WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT THEN.

SO I'M PREPARED TO BE FAIRLY BULLISH ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO TAX CUTS.

>> I HAVE MORE WITH SENATOR BURGOYNE ONLINE, INCLUDING HIS TAKE ON TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND FUNDING SOURCES, YOU'LL FIND THAT ON THE "IDAHO REPORTS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

IT'S A GREAT CONVERSATION YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.

ALSO FRIDAY, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM CHUCK WINDER JOINED KNOW TALK ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WHAT ADDITIONAL WORK THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE HAS IN FRONT OF IT, AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE SENATE ON TRANSPORTATION AND TAXES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY, SENATOR.

I WANTED TO FIRST ASK ABOUT THE SENATE CLEARING ITS THIRD READING CALENDAR WHILE THE HOUSE STILL HAS A NUMBER OF THINGS LEFT TO DO.

AND HAS KILLED A NUMBER OF APPROPRIATIONS BILLS.

IS THE HOUSE ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO WHEN THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO ADJOURN, AND IS THE SENATE TRYING TO SEND A MESSAGE BY CLEARING ITS READING CALENDAR THAT YOU WANT TO WRAP THINGS UP AND GET HOME?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE HOUSE MADE THE REQUEST FOR THE RECESS BECAUSE OF THE COVID OUTBREAK ON THE HOUSE SIDE, AND WE AGREED WITH THAT, CONCURRED, AND WENT HOME.

WE HAD HOPED TO BE DONE BY THE 26th OF MARCH, WE NOW HOPE TO BE DONE BY APRIL 16th.

WE THINK WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO SOME AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSE ON THAT.

OUR EFFORT TO CLEAR OUR CALENDAR IS TO SEND THAT MESSAGE, THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE READY TO BE DONE AND TO GO HOME, AND GET BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR WAY OF LIFE, THEIR FARMING, THEIR RANCHING, THESE ARE CRITICAL TIMES OF THE YEAR FOR THEM.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET DONE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, AND THEY'RE THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE YET THAT ARE TAKING LONGER THAN NORMAL.

BUT WE HOPE TO BE DONE BY, HAVE ALL OF OUR WORK DONE BY NEXT FRIDAY, AND WE MAY HAVE TO WAIT A FIVE-DAY PERIOD FOR VETO ISSUES, BUT HOPEFULLY BY NEXT FRIDAY WE HAVE ALL OF OUR BUSINESS FINISHED BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN?

IS THAT -- CONSIDERING HOW MANY BUDGETS THERE'S STILL LEFT OUT THERE, IS THAT REALISTIC?

>> YEAH, IT IS.

THEY HAVE A PLAN THEY CAN ACTUALLY BE FINISHED BY THE 14th.

WITH THEIR PART OF IT.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE THEIR BUDGETS EVERY TIME THE HOUSE KILLS A BUDGET, PROBABLY ADDS A DAY OR TWO.

THE THINGS THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT ARE MORE POLICY ISSUES THAN THEY ARE BUDGET ISSUES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME YET TO PUT IT INTO POLICY WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.

>> THIS WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME THAT THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE HAVEN'T QUITE SEEN EYE TO EYE ON HOW TO APPROACH SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

I'VE BEEN AROUND -- >> IT WON'T BE THE LAST EITHER.

THERE'S A NATURAL TENSION BETWEEN THE BODIES, IF THEY -- THE ORIGINAL DRAFTERS OF OUR CONSTITUTION WANTED TO BE EASIER, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD ONE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, BUT THAT DOESN'T WORK VERY WELL IN A DEMOCRACY.

SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THESE TWO BRANCHES AND THEN THE -- OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE GOVERNOR, AND SO THAT'S -- IT'S NATURAL TO HAVE SOME TENSION, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING CLOSER TOGETHER THAN IT MIGHT APPEAR.

>> THAT'S NOT THE ONLY TENSION WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BALANCE OF POWERS AND SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS SESSION, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK EARLY ON, ESPECIALLY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, ABOUT THE BALANCE OF POWERS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH PASS BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE BILLS ADDRESSING EITHER THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE'S POWERS COME OUT OF BOTH CHAMBERS BEFORE YOUR GOAL END DATE OF APRIL 16th?

>> I THINK YOU WILL.

THERE'S ONE BILL THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SIGN IN ADDITION LAW THAT REQUIRES A HEALTH DISTRICT ORDER TO BE APPROVED BY EACH COUNTY COMMISSION.

IN THAT DISTRICT.

WE THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THERE'S A SENATE BILL 1136 WHICH DEALS WITH EXTREME EMERGENCIES, THAT'S ACTUALLY PASSED BOTH BODIES, BUT IT WAS AMENDED IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE TO CONCUR IN THOSE, WHICH WE DID YESTERDAY.

WE WILL TAKE THAT UP AND VOTE ON IT LATER TODAY.

SO I THINK WE'LL HAVE THAT ONE DONE.

WE'RE GOING TO AMEND HOUSE BILL 135 AND WE'VE DONE THAT, WE'LL TAKE THAT UP I BELIEVE THIS MORNING.

SO WE HOPE TO HAVE THOSE DONE, THAT -- 135 ACTUALLY DEALS WITH ORDINARY OR NATURAL DISASTERS.

SO I THINK WE'LL HAVE THAT DONE.

THERE'S -- ONE OF THE REASONS WE DIDN'T JUST END EVERYTHING WITH A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT DOING,% AND THERE WERE SEVERAL OF THEM THAT WENT BACK AND FORTH IN THE FIRST WEEK OR TWO, WAS WE FOUND OUT THAT UNDER THE CURRENT CODE, WE WOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE FEDERAL FUNDS TO COME IN.

UNLESS WE HAD AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN PLACE.

THE NEW CODES THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUT THERE WOULD ADD A WORD, A RISING OUT OF, THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE STATE TO CONTINUE TO REF FUNDS WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING TO ON A 30-DAY PROCESS RENEW THOSE DECLARATIONS.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS.

THERE'S SOME EMERGENCIES THAT RELATED TO FLOOD AND OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE STATE THAT WE RECEIVE MONEY FOR OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME, BUT THE EMERGENCY IS ACTUALLY OVER, AND THE NEW LAW WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS WITHOUT HAVING TO CONTINUE THE DECLARATIONS OF EMERGENCY.

SO WE THINK WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

>> IS THERE CONCERN THAT THAT WOULD RUN AFOUL OF FEDERAL LAW THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MIGHT SEE IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY IF YOU DON'T THAT IN PLACE, YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS?

>> AND THE LEGISLATION THAT WE PROPOSED IS THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE THE EMERGENCIES THAT'S REQUIRED TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS.

BUT WE BELIEVE WE'VE WORKED WITH HOMELAND SECURITY AND WE'VE WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AND WE THINK WE'VE COME TO SOME LANGUAGE THAT BY USING A RISING -- BY USING THE LANGUAGE "ARISING OUT OF" THAT EMERGENCY, IT WOULD THEN QUALIFY US TO HAVE THE FEDERAL FUNDS COMING IN.

THE REAL ISSUE THAT WE DEAL WITH IS DO WE HAVE THE MATCHING FUNDS IN SOME CASES.

AND THAT DOES TAKE AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I THINK WE'VE BALANCED IT OUT, WE'VE PUT A PRETTY LIGHT TOUCH ON IT, BUT WE THINK WE'VE RESOLVED A LOT OF THE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT WE EXPERIENCED DURING THIS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL YEAR OF 2020.

>> AS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS WITH EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND OVERREACH, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT A PRESS RELEASE THAT JUST CAME INTO MY IN BOX AS WE WERE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THEIR WORDS, DISCOVERING IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY VIOLATIONS THAT THE STATE'S IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY DOESN'T NECESSARILY ALLOW FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA ON ADULT VACCINATIONS.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS REGISTRY THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS?

>> WELL, THE REGISTRY IS FOR CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S THE -- KEEPING TRACK OF CHILD VACCINATIONS.

BUT THEY APPLIED THAT TO SAYING, WELL, YOU AGED OUT OF BEING A CHILD BUT YOU'RE STILL GETTING VACCINE, SO YOU CAN BE ADDED TO THE REGISTRY.

AND WE'RE BASICALLY OBJECTING TO THAT, WE DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT THE CURRENT CODE SAYS, AND THAT'S THE REASON FOR, WE WROTE A LETTER TO -- DIRECTLY TO HEALTH AND WELFARE AND GAVE THEM NOTICE OF OUR CONCERNS, AND WE ALSO WANTED THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE SO THAT THEY'RE AWARE THAT THEIR INFORMATION MAY BE BEING COLLECTED.

>> NOW, IS YOUR PROPOSED FIX CHANGING THE CODE TO ALLOW FOR THIS INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED, OR DO YOU WANT THE DEPARTMENT TO STOP ENTIRELY?

>> WE WANT THE DEPARTMENT TO STOP.

>> DOES THAT POTENTIALLY -- >> THERE IS NO CODE CRORG THEM TO COLLECT -- AUTHORIZING THEM TO COLLECT IT FOR ADULTS.

>> DOES THAT RAISE CONCERNS THAT MEDICAL PROVIDERS WON'T HAVE ACCURATE INFORMATION IF PEOPLE SWITCH BETWEEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, FOR EXAMPLE, OR GET ONE DOSE IN ONE CITY, AND ANOTHER DOSE IN ANOTHER CITY?

>> NO, IT REALLY DOESN'T.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO YOUR DOCTOR, TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, THERE'S GOING TO BE PART OF YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS.

ALSO, THE WAY THE VACCINATIONS FOR AT LEAST FOR COVID IS YOU'RE GETTING A VACCINATION CARD.

I HAVE A LITTLE YELLOW CARD THAT I GET AT THE DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICE WHEN I'VE TRAVELED AND HAD TO GET SHOTS TO DO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

SO THERE IS A RECORD, YOU CAN HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

BUT WITH SUCH A WIDESPREAD VACCINATING PROCESS, AS COVID IS NECESSITYING -- NECESSITATING, WE DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT UNDER THE CURRENT LAWS FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY COLLECT THAT DATA.

>> SNAG WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW CERTAINLY.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR RESPONSE WILL BE, WE'VE ONLY HAD SOME VERBAL COMMUNICATION WITH THEM.

>> BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY, THE SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TAXATION COMMITTEE SENT THE HOUSE INCOME TAX PROPOSAL TO THE AMENDING ORDER.

WHAT SORT OF AMENDMENTS MIGHT WE SEE, AND IS THERE ANY RISK OF THE HOUSE NOT CONCURRING TO SNOWS.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A RISK OF THE HOUSE NOT CONCURRING.

THEY DON'T LIKE US MESSING AROUND WITH THEIR TAX BILLS.

THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWS THEM TO ORIGINATE REVENUE BILLS, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE SENATE HAS THE RIGHT TO AMEND THOSE.

NOW, POLITICALLY THAT DOES GO BACK TO THE TENSION I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IN THE SHOW, SO THEY DON'T LIKE US DOING THAT, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.

I THINK WHEN WE ACTUALLY AMEND 332, THAT WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN PLACE AS TO HOW TO AMENDMENT IT BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES.

AND AS LONG AS WE DO THAT, I THINK THEY'LL PROBABLY BE OKAY WITH THE AMENDMENTS WE'VE DONE THAT ON 1136, WHICH IS THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, 135, AGAIN, POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR.

SO WE WORKED TOGETHER VERY WELL TRYING TO COME UP WITH WHAT WE THINK ARE NECESSARY AND REASONABLE AMENDMENTS ON VERY KEY LEGISLATION THIS TIME.

AND I THINK THAT'S IN FACT WE MET THIS MORNING AND HAD ONGOING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EXACTLY THAT AS TO HOW WE ADVANCE HOUSE BILL 332 AND THE POTENTIAL TAX BREAKS AND RETURNS THAT WOULD GIVE TO PEOPLE.

>> WHAT KIND OF AMENDMENTS MIGHT WE EXPECT FROM THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BRACKETS THEMSELVES, THE PERCENTAGE OF REDUCTION.

AND THE INDIVIDUAL TAX RATE, AND CORPORATE TAX RATE.

THERE'S ALSO SOME DISCUSSION DEPENDING UPON HOW MUCH ONGOING MONEY WE HAVE OF POTENTIALLY DOING SOME OTHER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THINGS.

SO IT'S -- WE'RE AT THAT FINAL STAGE OF TRYING TO BLEND EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A GOOD PACKAGE, WHICH I THINK WE WILL.

AND WE'LL HAVE THAT DEBATE AND DISCUSSION NEXT WEEK.

>> HOW ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FUNDING?

AS WE'RE SPEAKING ON FRIDAY MORNING, THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF COURSE HASN'T YET TAKEN UP THE HOUSE PROPOSAL ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CAUCUS ON THEIR FEELINGS ON THE HOUSE'S PROPOSAL?

>> WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT IT IN CAUCUS PER SE.

THE CHAIRMAN DARG ON OUR SIDE -- DEN-HARTOG HAS GIVEN UPDATES AS NEGOTIATIONS HAVE PROGRESSED OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS TO CAUCUS.

BUT WE JUST RECEIVED THEIR FINAL BILL YESTERDAY.

IT APPEARS TO BE SOMETHING THAT I PERSONALLY CAN SUPPORT.

BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL WITHIN OUR CAUCUS, AND ALSO TO HAVE THE MINORITY WEIGHING IN ON THESE ISSUES.

BUT WE THINK THERE'S A REAL NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, SOME WILL BE ONE-TIME, SOME WILL BE ONGOING, AND THERE WILL BE SOME AT LEAST IN THE FORM IT IS NOW, SIGNIFICANT BONDING THAT COULD OCCUR FOR THE STATE, FOR STATE PROJECTS, WHICH BENEFIT BOTH THE STATE SYSTEM AND THE LOCAL SYSTEM, BECAUSE OUR STATE HIGHWAYS DO GO THROUGH COMMUNITIES AND SERVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

SO WE THINK THERE'S BENEFIT THERE, AND FUNDS WOULD POTENTIALLY BE DISPERSED TO BOTH LOCAL AND TO IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

>> APRIL 16th, I'M GOING TO MARK MY CALENDAR.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM CHUCK WINDER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MELISSA.

>> AFTER OUR INTERVIEW, THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL REGARDING THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS, 25-10.

>> THE "IDAHO REPORTS" TEAM WILL CONTINUE OUR ONLINE COVERAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE "IDAHO REPORTS" BLOG.

>> THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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