Idaho briefs

Interstate federal lands transfer compact passes Idaho House

BOISE - Idaho would have the ability to enter into an interstate compact to pursue transferring control of federal lands under a proposal making its way through the Statehouse.

House lawmakers voted 45-23 on Friday to approve setting up the compact, facing from opposition from both Republicans and Democrats worried of the bill's unintended consequences.

Idaho lawmakers have advocated taking control of federal lands for years. However, Republican leaders say they are no longer demanding the federal government give up its public land. Instead, lawmakers say they want to pursue a variety of collaborative approaches.

The compact option is one of four proposals being considered this legislative session.

Utah was the first state to approve entering into such a contract, and a similar bill is being considered by Arizona lawmakers.

Woman pleads guilty to receiving dead mom's Social Security

POCATELLO - An eastern Idaho woman who cashed $30,000 of her deceased mother's monthly Social Security checks has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.

Authorities announced Thursday that 55-year-old Wendy K. Banks of Idaho Falls made the plea in U.S. District Court.

U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson said Banks admitted that between June 2009 and January 2014 she took the money by using a joint bank account she shared with her mother.

Banks is scheduled to be sentenced June 23 in Pocatello.

She faces as many as 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

- Associated Press