Committees responsible for reviewing rules

Committee review of agency proposed rules and agency budget hearings have been the main activity of the Legislature in the second week of the legislative session.

Because a statute enacted by the Legislature doesn’t contain all the details the agency responsible for implementing the legislation has to interpret the law and develop a rule or rules to implement the law.

Idaho is one of only four or five states that give the Legislature the authority to review rules proposed by agencies before they become final. Legislative committees have the responsibility of reviewing the rules and the first few days of each legislative session is devoted to this oversight function. A rule becomes effective when the appropriate committees of both the House and Senate approve the rules. However, in most cases, it also takes both the House and Senate committees to disapprove a rule; if only one refuses to approve a rule the rule still becomes effective. In the event a rule is not accepted by the Legislature the agency then has to redo the rule to address the concerns of the legislative committees.

The committees are expected to finish rules review as quickly as possible but actually have until Feb. 28 to report on their rules review.

At the same time other committees are reviewing rules, the Joint Finance and Appro-priation Committee is holding agency budget hearings that provide agencies the opportunity to present information supporting their budget request before JFAC begins setting the 2014 fiscal year budget.

JFAC is scheduled to end agency hearings on Feb. 15 and then begin the budget setting process. March 8 is the target date for JFAC to complete its budget setting process.

At the same time these committee activities are taking place, there are legislators working independently on proposed legislation to address issues important to them and their constituents. Most notable are efforts taking place to address concerns of legislators and Idaho citizens as a result of gun control efforts that may be enacted by President Barack Obama by executive order as a result of the latest school shooting in Connecticut.

Because of the number of proposed bills addressing gun legislation the House and Senate are taking measures to manage the number of proposed bills in order to avoid duplication on efforts to address gun control issues.

Undoubtedly there will be new legislation that will be submitted to the Legislature and probably passed addressing gun control concerns.

We will continue to provide updates on legislative activity as we progress through the session and encourage your thoughts and input on issues important to you. Legislative activity can be followed at www.legislature.idaho.gov and you can also leave us a message at: 1 (800) 626-0471.

SEN. SHAWN

KEOUGH

Sandpoint

REP. GEORGE ESKRIDGE

Dover

REP. ERIC

ANDERSON

Priest River