This week on the show, the Honorable Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan of the Idaho Supreme Court shares his concerns about judicial salary legislation. Plus, we examine the latest tensions in the Idaho Republican Party as candidate filings come to a close.

Idaho Reports airs Friday at 8 pm on Idaho Public Television.

This week at the statehouse:

House passes newest library ‘obscene content’ bill

Legislators were openly frustrated with each other during debate on the House floor.

“Why are we fighting so hard to put obscene material in front of children?” Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, asked the House.

Rep. Kenny Wroten, R-Nampa, debated against the idea that some legislators argued, that this bill “is not as bad as the that last bill.”

“It’s like getting hung by a new rope,” Wroten said.

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Idaho to join list of states requiring age verification on pornography sites

The Idaho Senate passed legislation Thursday that would make online pornography publishers and distributors vulnerable to civil liability if a minor accesses harmful material on the internet.

Adult websites have pushed back on similar laws in other states over free speech concerns, but McKay Cunningham from the College of Idaho told Idaho Reports in an interview that sexually explicit content is less protected by the First Amendment.

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Follow online for updates throughout the week:

Bill advances to declare EMS an essential service

Sponsored by Senate Majority Caucus Chair Mark Harris, SB 1416 would move the EMS Bureau out of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and relocate it under the Office of Emergency Management. The Office of Emergency Management would be responsible for preparing a budget request for EMS services for next fiscal year.

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Lawmakers approve maternal mortality review panel

“In a state that is pro-life, pro-mothers, pro-families, I think that this deserves some attention,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee. “What you have in front of you is a complete redesign of this, and it is now underneath the Board of Medicine to allow them to build a system that is uniquely Idaho.”

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JFAC approves $435,000 to pay for Tucker public defense lawsuit

The Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee on Wednesday approved a supplemental appropriation of $435,000 to pay for the costs of a multi-year lawsuit against Idaho’s public defense system. If fully funded, the appropriation would bring the Attorney General’s special litigation program budget up to $1,175,700.

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