The policy team at Idaho Family Policy Center has been at the Capitol every day since session started earlier this month working tirelessly to get biblical policy across the finish line in Idaho.
Not only has our policy team been working overtime on our own legislation—which will be introduced in the coming weeks—but they have also been testifying on behalf of noteworthy bills that have been introduced. Some of these include:
1. House Concurrent Resolution 2: Resolution to Commend BSU Women’s Volleyball by Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) and Rep. Brent Crane (R-Nampa)
The Idaho House of Representatives overwhelmingly adopted a resolution commending Boise State University Women’s volleyball team for taking a stand for women’s sports by refusing to play against a biological male.
IFPC Policy Assistant Edward Clark testified in favor of the resolution in the House State Affairs committee, saying:
Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports is both unfair and unsafe. One high school volleyball player in North Carolina sustained a permanent injury after being hit in the face by a spike from a biological male. She now suffers from partial paralysis and impaired vision and memory.
Boise State University chose to forfeit volleyball matches to protect their female athletes from similar fates. For that courageous decision, Boise State ought to be commended.
It’s not rocket science. Men and women are built differently, and it is our duty to speak the truth in love and protect the privacy and safety of women. We are thankful that Boise State took a stand and that our legislators are willing to give them the recognition they deserve!
2. House Bill 7: Minimum Fine for Possession of Marijuana by Rep. Jordan Redman (R-Coeur d’Alene) and Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa)
Earlier this week, House Bill 7 was also approved by a supermajority vote in the Idaho House of Representatives. This bill sets a mandatory minimum misdemeanor fine for adults of $300 for possession of 3 ounces or less of marijuana.
Last week, IFPC Policy Analyst Grace Howat testified in favor of the bill, saying:
The Christian political tradition distinguishes between sins, which are the proper jurisdiction of individuals, families, and churches—and crimes, which are the proper jurisdiction of the civil government.
The Bible is clear that marijuana drug use is a sin. But marijuana is also a threat to public health and safety. Because of this, we cannot take its use lightly—and the prerogative to punish its possession falls within the proper jurisdiction of our state government.
We know that the collateral damage caused by drug use like marijuana creates real victims, and we are thankful that our state legislature is taking action on this issue. The bill is now headed to the Senate for deliberation.
3. House Joint Memorial 1: Defining Marriage by Rep. Heather Scott
Earlier this week, Rep. Heather Scott presented her memorial asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) and to restore the power to define marriage to the states.
In his public testimony supporting the memorial, IFPC Policy Assistant Edward Clark said:
By seizing authority that was not delegated to the federal government and altering the definition of marriage in the Obergefell decision, the Supreme Court violated the Constitution.
The State of Idaho has an obligation to hold the Court accountable.
The memorial passed out of the Idaho House State Affairs committee with a “do pass” recommendation on a 13-2 vote, and is now headed to the House floor for deliberation.
Want to use your voice to make an impact?
Watch this recording of our Citizen Lobbying Webinar to learn how to testify in committee just like our policy team does! You can also download our help sheet which will walk you through the process of getting registered and giving your public testimony!
