Individual effort making a difference in Idaho

I would like to start my final column by describing a part of the legislative process of which I am pleased to have been a part.

As we freshman legislators quickly find out, much of the legislation that is brought before us comes from government agencies and private business interests. While this is not inherently wrong, it can begin to give the impression that government is mainly perpetuating its own needs and solely serving special interests. So, when a citizen is able to promote an idea, have a legislator agree to present their idea, and then is able to influence the outcome of that idea in the Legislature, it is noteworthy in my opinion.

A month or so before the start of the legislative session, a young lady from Careywood, Savannah Hicks, sent an email to each Idaho state representative and senator. Her email was a request for one of us to consider carrying a piece of legislation that she thought was very important.

Ms. Hicks is the founder of a non-profit organization named SPARC that was created to prevent human trafficking and increase the awareness of the often hidden crime of modern day slavery. In her email, she clearly explained the bane that human trafficking has become in the United States and, more importantly, Idaho. While many of our neighboring states have begun to strengthen their laws to deal with the increase of human trafficking, Idaho has lagged behind considerably. The alarming statistic is that the victims of this crime are not only young people brought in from other countries, but are often Americans, and specifically Idahoans. This crime is not restricted to larger cities, but is occurring in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint as well. The I-90 corridor is particularly notorious because of its flow from Washington to Montana and beyond.

The legislation proposed by Ms. Hicks may not seem like something that could alter the course of the tide, but in the experience of national organizations like hers, it is a piece of the puzzle that helps immensely. What she suggested is that we pass a law allowing non-profit groups to place anti-human trafficking signs in rest areas along interstate and intrastate highways. There are signs in rest areas in the southern part of Idaho, but when Ms. Hicks inquired about placing them in our district, she was told “no.” In order to have consistent and continuous information throughout the state, and between the states, this legislation was necessary. Also, there would be no cost to the state because all expenses would be borne by the non-profit group putting up the signs.

I responded to Ms. Hicks’ request and was privileged to be able to work with her in promoting her legislation. We worked with ITD to develop the correct language and, with Ms. Hicks testifying, we were able to get the bill passed through the House State Affairs Committee, and the House Transportation Committee. After a unanimous vote on the House floor, the bill moved to the Senate Transportation Committee. Ms. Hicks again provided testimony and was rewarded with another unanimous vote. District 7 Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll agreed to carry the bill on the Senate floor and received unanimous consent to forward it to the governor for his signature.

I was thankful to be a part of the success of Ms. Hicks’ legislation and to reinforce the notion that the voice of the average citizen can still be a force in state government. I am just as thankful to have had the opportunity to represent District 1 this legislative session and look forward to continuing to work for, and with, our citizens in the future.