Senate OKs bill raising initiative requirements
Senators in a state known for fighting government overreach voted Friday to add tougher restrictions on how citizen initiatives get on Idaho ballots.
Senate Bill 1159 would increase the requirement of getting valid signatures from 6 percent of voters in 18 legislative districts to 10 percent of voters in 32 of Idaho's 35 districts. Further, it would give signature-gatherers far less time: about six months, down from the current 18 months allowed.
The measure approved in the Senate by one vote — 18-17 — also requires a fiscal note of the expected cost of the proposed law to be included in the initiative.
The bill now goes to the House.
The following senators voted in favor of the legislation: Kelly Anthon, R-Burley; Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot; Van Burtenshaw, R-Terreton; Don Cheatham, R-Post Falls; bill sponsor Scott Grow, R-Eagle; Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs; Lee Heider, R-Twin Falls; Brent Hill, R-Rexburg; Todd Lakey, R-Nampa; Abby Lee, R-Fruitland; Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston; Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls; Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls; Jim Rice, R-Caldwell; Mary Souza, R-Coeur d'Alene; Steven Thayn, R-Emmett; Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens; and Chuck Winder, R-Boise.
The following senators voted no: Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa; Regina Bayer, R-Meridian; Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson; Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise; Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville; Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian; Jim Guthrie, R-Inkom; Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston; Maryanne Jordan, D-Boise; Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls; Fred Martin, R-Boise; Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise; David Nelson, D-Moscow; Mark Nye, D-Pocatello; Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum; Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise; and Jim Woodward, R-Sagle.
Souza said she supported the bill for a number of reasons.
"No. 1, it includes the rural areas because right now, under the current rules, you can get 18 of the legislative districts' signatures by just using a little less than four of the most populated counties in the state," she said. "That leaves the vast population of the state without any requirements to have a voice; maybe people will go into their areas to collect signatures, maybe they won't.
"We want to make sure that all the areas of the state have a voice."
When asked about the impact of the reduction in time alloted to gather signatures, Souza said the technology used in modern initiative drives makes it much easier and faster for people to pinpoint where they think support will be.
Another concern surrounding initiative drives is education. Souza said many times, people with voter initiatives and petitions will stand in front of grocery stores, parks or other areas where people congregate and give passersby just a couple sentences explaining the initiative before collecting the signatures.
“It’s very limited information for people to sign,” she said. “Many people will make a decision on the spot."
The fiscal note, she said, would give people a better understanding of "what the impact to them or to the state will be."
Passage of the bill is not "in retaliation against any of the propositions that have been on our ballots," Souza said. "It’s simply the realization that across the country, increased technology and large money with professional managers is becoming the norm and there are a number of states across the country that are updating their initiative laws.”
Rebecca Schroeder, executive director of Reclaim Idaho, a volunteer group that supports and promotes Medicaid expansion in the Gem State, doesn't see it that way. Schroeder said she was in the packed Senate gallery when the bill passed: "100 percent of the people in attendance (Friday) were in opposition to this legislation," she said.
"I am really appalled, and I am baffled by the lawmakers who put their support behind this direct attack on our constitutional rights," she said. "It's a sad day for Idahoans."
Schroeder said the move shows "how vastly out of touch the Idaho Legislature has become.
"The proposed changes in 1159 would create an insurmountable hurdle," she said. "We would never see a grassroots initiative in Idaho again."
As to the idea that those who favored getting Proposition 2 (Medicaid expansion) on the ballot in November were not fully educated about the initiative before signing, Schroeder said, "That is completely inaccurate" and "completely insulting."
"I don't know when insulting the people you serve became an acceptable strategy for our lawmakers," she said.
"This is a violation of our constitutional rights and we are prepared to fight this in the courts," she said. “Reclaim Idaho is not going anywhere and it seems the Legislature is overdue for a healthy dose of accountability."