CARLSON 4 IDAHO SUPPORTERS,
It has taken me a bit longer than I would have liked to get you a Legislative update. You have it now. THE GOOD AND THE UGLY!
THE GOOD: The Idaho 2024 Legislative Session started out with a bang. Your Legislators have been working on approving Administrative Rules in our respective committees, drafting bills and presenting bills.
Rep Jaran Crane from Nampa and I worked on the new 2024 version of the Library Bill over our break this last Summer/Fall which became House Bill 384 the first week of session. It was presented last Monday in House State of Affairs. There were so many people who showed up to testify to the committee that the overflow room that was provided became full also. Thank you to those who came to testify in favor of the bill. It passed out of committee and was scheduled to be voted on the House Floor last Thursday but was pulled back and will be redrafted and presented again in House State of Affairs possibly next week.
The current version of the bill before redraft does not “ban” books. It requires the parent to give notice that there is harmful material in the school or public library, gives the institution 30 days to address the issue, remove the harmful material, and place in a section of the library for adults only before a parent is able to file a lawsuit. The damages were changed from $2500 to $250. I felt that the bill was watered down more than I desired but was assured it would pass through both bodies of the Legislature. So I supported it.
THE UGLY: Since the presentation of HB384, two other library bill drafts have emerged, one from the Senate and another one from the House. We have been informed that HB384 will be redrafted by Rep Jaran Crane and Sen Jeff Schroeder. Apparently, this was requested by the Legislature leadership. They only want one Library bill.
If our goal is to protect kids from harmful material for minors (aka pornographic material) why would Sen Schroeder even have a library bill draft? He was adamantly against the bill presented last session in 2023. He stood up on the Senate floor debated against it and voted with the Democrats! WOW! REALLY? Did he have a change of heart? Does he really want to protect kids or is this a plan to get re-elected? Brilliant move on someone’s part! ☹ Is getting re-elected more important than Protecting Kids from Porn?
We do not know what exactly will be in the new revised House Bill 384 aka the Library Bill. If the new version does not protect kids from harmful material, I’m sorry to say, I will not in good conscience be able to vote for it. I want you all to know that games are being played and we the citizens of Idaho are the pawns. My current plan is to work towards trying to move the 2022 version of HB666 which removed the exemptions for schools and libraries with Representative Elaine Price. I do not have much faith that the draft will get a hearing or get out of committee but we will work hard to try and get a bill out of the Idaho Legislature that protects our kids from PORN!
OTHER NEWS: A Fentanyl bill House Bill 406 has been presented in the House Judiciary Committee. There is much controversy over this piece of legislation. In my opinion we must pass a Fentanyl bill this session to protect our citizens but this one, needs work. We will see if it can be made better.
There is also a Tax Credit bill being drafted to benefit parents whose children do not attend public school. Please note, this credit will not take money away from Public Education! The State of Idaho does not currently fund the education of all its students. At the very least, we could give parents who chose an alternative education for their children a little tax break!
There are many more great bill ideas being presented and drafted. We are working hard for you!
Thank you for your support. Please email me and keep me informed of your opinions. They are welcome. I try to respond to all comments, hopefully, timely.
Thank you,
Cindy Carlson
All In For Idaho!
Thanks Cindy! Yes in Schroeders case and sadly many others getting re-elected is more important than doing the right thing and protecting kids from porn. Schroeder is a democrat but runs as a Republican because he can’t get elected as a democrat. God Bless you my friend, keep up the good work, Adams County supports you!
Difficult challenges for sure. We are with you. There needs to be a wall of protection for the children as well as strengthening the parental influence and control.