Idaho Legislature Closed for Two Weeks Due to COVID Cases

Boise, Idaho– “So, one of our House members that supposedly received the vaccine and has been using 2 masks caught COVID. Imagine that.” State Representative Chad Christensen posted on his Facebook page.  

The Legislature of Idaho is taking a recess until April 6 due to several Idaho Representatives testing positive for COVID-19.

District 5 Representative Caroline Nilsson Troy says precautions like social distancing, occupancy limits, virtual meetings, and air purifiers are in place at the Capitol due to the COVID cases. 

District 5 Representatives discussed the recess and bills on Saturday during Coffee With Legislators, a public Zoom event hosted by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce.

District 5 Representative Brandon Mitchell said, “We were kind of at the end of the session where everyone was ready to go home. So I’d like us to get through all [the bills].”

Mitchell claims there is some good in the recess: “ I believe that it will give me an opportunity to look deeper into some of the bills that are coming up so that I am better prepared to have questions [and get answers].” 

District 5 Senator David Nelson said, “Despite all the COVID stuff that happened and the shut-down we had a pretty good week in the Senate.”

Sen. Nelson explained that the Senate worked through a number of bills this past week: the Optional Collective Bill, the Collective Bargaining Bill, the Voucher Bill, a scholarship program for private schools, and the Local Certification For Teachers.

Rep. Mitchell was excited because the Health And Welfare Committee and House Floor passed a bill that allows a foster child to stay in the home until 21.

Rep. Mitchell said the bill was “near and dear to my heart” because he has a foster-daughter. When she aged out of the system, she called and asked to come home.

Rep. Troy said many budgets have been worked on, and several of her bills have passed to the Senate. One of Rep. Troy’s bills will name a highway junction after a Vietnam Veteran who died in his first battle. 

Rep. Troy is still concerned that the importance of some budgeting and bills will be forgotten over the two week break. 

Moscow School District Superintendent, Dr. Gregory Bailey, who was at the Zoom talk with Legislators, was dismayed by two bills that were being considered: one depriving the school of the power to enforce masks on campus, and one prohibiting schools from banning firearms.

Dr. Bailey said, “The CDC recommends [masks], medical staff recommends [masks], and it was demonstrated with the legislature this week what happens when you don’t wear a mask… Give us a fighting chance this year to make it to the end of school.”

Regarding the bill on firearms, Dr. Bailey said, “There is more of a chance of a gun going off accidentally and hurting one of our students…Our police and sheriff’s department don’t recommend [allowing guns on campus].”

Dr. Bailey concluded,  “I am really baffled why our legislators would even consider it. So hopefully we get rid of that bill.”

Sen. Nelson agreed with Dr. Bailey, and says he does not think schools should be prohibited from banning firearms on campus. 

Rep. Troy and Rep. Mitchell both voted for the bill which disallows schools to ban firearms on campus. The bill regarding masks is currently being amended. 

Bills are pending until the Legislature is back from recess on April 6.