This week on the show, Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon joins us to discuss changes to the state budget process and the status of the legislative session. Then, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News reviews the latest in Attorney General Raúl Labrador's lawsuit against the State Board of Education over the University of Phoenix purchase.

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

Fentanyl bill reaches House floor despite concerns

On Tuesday, the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee passed a bill that would add mandatory minimum prison sentences for trafficking fentanyl. The bill also includes a section establishing drug-induced homicide, where a person could be criminally charged if they distribute a drug that later kills someone.

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Podcast: Focused on Fentanyl

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Lawmakers are once again pushing to add fentanyl to the list of illegal substances that carry mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug trafficking. The same committee that blocked the bill last year advanced the bill to the House after three hours of testimony on Friday and another two hours of deliberation on Tuesday. Associate producer Logan Finney sat down with sponsor Sen. Todd Lakey to dive into the details of the bill and predict its path forward this legislative session.

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Republicans advance bill to arm school staff

Despite opposition from trustees, administrators and teachers as well as concern from law enforcement officials, the House State Affairs Committee voted along party lines to advance a bill that would grant school employees the right to carry guns in classrooms and give them legal immunity if they engage in a gunfight on campus.

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New maternal mortality review bill introduced

This isn’t the first effort during the 2024 legislative session for Idaho to resume analyzing maternal mortality data. This new bill is different from another introduced this session because it would establish a dedicated maternal mortality review committee, not enlist the Board of Medicine to collect and review the data.

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Follow online for updates throughout the week:

JFAC cancels Friday’s budget setting meeting amid procedural changes

Idaho Capital Sun: The co-chairs of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee abruptly canceled Friday’s meeting just as the powerful committee was about to implement the next phase of significant changes to how it sets the state budget.

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A blind vote, or proven process? An open meetings lawsuit goes to the judge

Idaho Education News: Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s legal team and the State Board of Education’s hired attorneys wrapped up three days in court Thursday afternoon, arguing an open meetings case that revisits the University of Idaho’s behind-the-scenes courtship of the University of Phoenix. It’s unclear when a judge will rule, but the decision won’t come until next week at the earliest.

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AI electioneering manipulation bill heading to House

Idaho Capital Sun: Under House Bill 426, a candidate whose image, speech or actions is altered by artificial intelligence in election communications would be able to seek a court order blocking the publication of manipulated materials and seek financial damages.

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Charter school overhaul clears major hurdle, advances to House

Idaho Education News: The House Education Committee almost unanimously advanced a sweeping revision of the rules governing charter school applications, operations and reauthorizations. Charter school administrators and policymakers mostly praised the effort, which supporters have touted as a consolidation of lessons learned in the 26 years since Idaho enacted charters.

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