House approves measure for Idaho legislators to call themselves into special session Hayat Norimine, The Idaho Statesman
Jan. 21 Idaho lawmakers are one step closer to allowing themselves to start special legislative sessions.
Idaho House members on Thursday in a 51-18 vote approved a constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to call themselves into special sessions, something they cannot do now under Idaho law.
Reps. Steven Harris, R-Meridian, and Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, initially sponsored the legislation. By the time it hit the House floor, it had 43 more co-sponsors. It required 47 votes to pass.
DeMordaunt said the measure, House Joint Resolution 1, would help restore the balance of powers and allow the people to always have a voice in our state. If the constitutional amendment passes by a two-thirds vote in the Senate, it then would be put to voters on the ballot. The governor does not get the option to veto a constitutional amendment.