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

House committee kills private school tax credit

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee killed a proposal to expand school choice in Idaho with a tax credit for private school expenses on Tuesday morning in a 10-7 vote.

Unlike the ESA bill last year, which would have redirected maintenance and operations funds from school districts to individual families, HB 447 would have decreased general revenue before the state collects it.

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Senate passes bill to fix presidential primary

Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, was one of four senators to vote against a bill to add a presidential preference vote to the primary ballot, saying he felt the legislation was rushed. The Senate waived rules to bring it up for consideration on Tuesday.

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No public funds for transgender care passes House

The bill would prohibit any physician or other health care professional employed by state or local government from participating in gender-affirming surgeries or medical interventions. No state property, facility or building would be allowed to be used for gender-affirming care, even if the patient has private health insurance.

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Senate pushes to re-adopt JFAC rules

The Idaho Senate adopted a resolution Monday that would reinstate rules for the joint committee that crafts the state budgets. The House would also have to adopt the resolution for it to take effect. It's the latest move in a long-simmering disagreement.

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Follow online for updates throughout the week:

Third ‘obscene content’ library bill advances

Prior to filing a lawsuit, the bill would require written notice to the school or public library asking them to relocate the material within 30 days to a section designated for adults. If the library fails to relocate the “obscene content,” a lawsuit may be filed for $250, as well as actual damages and any other relief.

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Podcast: A Frank Conversation on Foster Care

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Senate Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee joins producer Ruth Brown to discuss issues with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s foster care system, efforts over her legislative career to address them, and a pair of bills she's co-sponsoring this year to limit temporary placement of foster kids and to create an independent ombudsman office.

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House passes 6 months of contraception bill by 1 vote

This is at least the fifth year Democratic lawmakers have attempted to pass a bill extending the amount of birth control Idaho women can obtain at one pharmacy visit.

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Swatting bill moves to Senate floor

“Swatting is a dangerous and malicious prank or harassment tactic where an individual or group makes a false report to emergency services, typically claiming a serious threat or violent incidents,” said Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton. “It can lead to unnecessary and potentially dangerous police interventions, waste of resources, and emotional distress for the victim.”

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