Crowd packs Idaho hearing for contraception debate

BOISE (AP) - A big crowd packed an IdahoCapitol hearing room for debate on a bill to allow employers and insurers to ignore new federal rules requiring them to cover contraception.

House Health and Welfare Committee Janice McGeachin Monday warned those in the room they were in danger of breaking fire codes, so many had arrived to testify for and against the measure

Idaho isn't alone in considering similar legislation, with Missouri and Arizona mulling changes.

The measures challenge a recent Obama administration decision seeking to guarantee employees of religion-affiliated institutions reproductive health coverage, which includes contraception.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise backed the measure, saying it would help block a federal rule that violates the church's fundamental beliefs.

Foes in Idaho said passing such a law undercuts basic health care.

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Bill would provide more staff to liquor regulators

BOISE (AP) - The state agency tasked with regulating alcohol sales in Idaho would get reinforcements to police liquor licenses under a bill that has passed the house.

The Alcohol Beverage Control Division has one officer that conducts inspections for the state's more than 5,000 alcohol businesses.

New legislation that cleared the House on Monday 57-11 will dedicate $1.5 million from vendor license fees paid to the state to better staff the agency.

With the money, the division could hire up to 12 people. The bill heads to the Senate.

Nampa Rep. Christy Perry says the funding will expedite licensing for small businesses and enable more investigations of vendors that sell alcohol illegally.

Majority Leader Mike Moyle opposes the move, saying local governments that also get money from licensing should chip, too.

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Senate agrees: Idaho needs another federal judge

BOISE (AP) - Senators agreed to encourage Congress to authorize a third federal judgeship for Idaho, saying there's so much court business that existing members of the bench have a tough time keeping up.

The chamber unanimously passed the non-binding measure on Monday.

There have been only two federal judges in Idaho for the last 58 years. Chief District Judge B. Lynn Winmill and District Judge Edward J. Lodge now occupy the posts.

But lawmakers say their caseload has grown so dramatically, they're facing delays.

The Senate's vote that included Republican and minority Democratic backing was a marked departure from the House's decision on this memorial, when 21 Republicans opposed the measure on Jan. 30.

They cited concern a third judge might get appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, not an Idaho favorite.

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Idaho considers taking wastewater primacy from EPA

BOISE (AP) - Three times in 10 years, Idaho has issued reports and studies examining how the state could take over wastewater regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency.

But the cost of doing it, conservatively estimated at $2.25 million annually, has helped block any move.

The Legislature made initial steps Wednesday to re-examine the issue, when the Senate State Affairs Committee agreed to at least consider creating an interim committee to conduct a new feasibility study.

Department of Environmental Quality Director Toni Hardesty says some representatives of industries like dairy favor a switch, arguing Idaho is easier to work with than the federal EPA.

Idaho is one of just four states, with New Mexico, New Hampshire and Massachusetts the others, over whom the EPA still has primacy over wastewater discharges to surface water.

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Bill creates health savings accounts for state workers

On his second attempt, Rep. Steve Thayn, R-Emmett, introduced a bill to allow the state to give its employees health savings accounts, a move he believes will save Idaho money in medical care expenses.

The bill was introduced in the House Education Committee, but will likely be heard in the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee, where the measure was originally rejected due to language concerns. / Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter

Read more here

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House panel Oks bill to ban tanning beds for teens

BOISE(AP) - Impassioned pleas from skin cancer survivors and medical doctors convinced a House panel to get behind a bill that makes teen use of tanning beds a crime.

Monday's unanimous House Health and Welfare Committee vote gives the full chamber a chance to weigh in.

The sponsor, House Minority Leader John Rusche, told the committee that tanners may enjoy a temporary benefit, but risk a lifetime of health risks.

He said Idaho should intervene to protect kids under the age of 18.

Should this become law, violators could be charged with a misdemeanor - and fined up to $500.

Repeat offenders could be hit with fines of $1,000.

Tanning-bed industry representatives and civil liberties advocates argued the bill encroaches too far into people's personal freedoms and will be tough to enforce.