Legislative Branch Chamber and 4th Floor Gallery Photo Courtesy of Taner Oz Legislative Districts 144 IDAHO BLUE BOOK Legislative Branch The Idaho Legislature is responsible success can be attributed to the fact that for translating the public will into Idaho’s legislators are “citizen” legislators, public policy for the state, levying taxes, not career politicians. They are farmers appropriating public funds, and overseeing and ranchers, business men and women, the administration of state agencies. These lawyers, doctors, sales people, loggers, responsibilities are carried out through the teachers. Elected for two-year terms and legislative process -- laws passed by elected in session at the Capitol just three months representatives of the people, legislators. each year, Idaho’s citizen legislators are able Since statehood in 1890, Idaho’s legislators to maintain close ties to their communities have enjoyed a rich and successful history and a keen interest in the concerns of the of charting the state’s growth. Much of that electorate. The Legislature’s Mission The Idaho Legislature is committed to • Preserve the state’s environment and carrying out its mission in a manner that ensure wise, productive use of the inspires public trust and confidence in state’s natural resources; elected government and the rule of law. • Carry out oversight responsibilities to The mission of the Legislature is to: enhance government accountability; and • Preserve the checks and balances of • Raise revenues and appropriate monies state government by the independent that support necessary government Legislative exercise of legislative powers; services. • Adopt a system of laws that promote the health, education and well-being of Idaho’s citizens; The Chambers The Idaho State Capitol, constructed in accommodate a growing Legislature. the same classical style of architecture as By the 1990s, crowding, outdated our nation’s Capitol, was started in 1905 mechanical systems, and decades of and the central portion was finished in hard use left their mark on the aging 1911. The east and west wings occupied building. Recognizing the need to save by the Legislature were finished in 1921. the historic Statehouse and keep the Idaho sandstone was used in facing the building a working seat of government, outside walls and Alaskan marble was used the Legislature authorized creation of the for the floors, staircases and trimmings. Idaho Capitol Commission in 1998 to plan The inside walls are of Vermont marble. for and oversee a complete restoration, The interior of the Capitol Building has refurbishment, and expansion of the Idaho been remodeled several times during it’s Capitol and its grounds. This massive 100-year history. Interior changes were undertaking was completed in December made during the 1950s and 1970s to 2009. The Membership Presently, the Idaho Legislature Census figures are published every ten years, is composed of 35 Senators and 70 realigns legislative districts proportionately Representatives elected for two-year terms. with the census population totals. This had The state is divided into 35 legislative been the responsibility of the Legislature districts, each represented by one Senator prior to 1994, when an amendment to the and two Representatives. Reapportionment, Idaho Constitution was adopted creating which must take place soon after the U.S. an independent commission to reapportion CHAPTER 4: Legislative Branch 145 starting in 2001 and thereafter. Legislative compensation is established Elections are held in November of even- by a citizens’ committee, subject to rejection numbered years, and the newly elected by the full Legislature. Legislators receive legislators officially take office December $16,684 per year, plus expenses for 1 following the election. Representatives housing and travel during the session, and and senators must be citizens of the United a constituent service allowance of $2,250. States, electors of the state and residents The President Pro Tem and Speaker receive of their legislative district for at least one an additional $4,000 per year. year prior to election. The Sessions Until 1969, sessions of the Idaho on the Monday on or closest to January 9th. Legislature were held every two years. In Extraordinary sessions of the Legislature November of 1968, the citizens of Idaho may be called only by the Governor by approved a Constitutional Amendment which proclamation and legislators may then act authorized annual sessions. Since 1969, the only upon those subjects specified in the Idaho Legislature convenes each January proclamation. The Officers Presiding over the Senate is the assistant minority floor leaders, who are Lieutenant Governor, who is an elected elected by the members of the minority executive official. When presiding over the party. Senate, he is designated the President of The Speaker of the House, in cooperation the Senate. The Senate also has a President with the members of the majority party, Pro Tempore, who is elected each session assigns the chairmanships of all committees by the Senate membership. In the House of and the memberships of the committees Representatives, the Speaker of the House in the House. In the Senate, the President presides over the sessions. He is elected at Pro Tem, with the approval of the Senate, the beginning of the session by the members assigns members to committees. and is a member of the majority party. The President of the Senate and the The majority party of both houses also Speaker of the House assign all bills to selects majority and assistant majority floor committees as they are processed “across leaders, who assist in the orderly process the desk” during the sessions. of the session, along with the minority and Senate Leadership Lt. Governor Brad Little (208) 334-2200 President Pro Tempore Brent Hill (208) 332-1300 Majority Leader Bart M. Davis (208) 332-1305 Assistant Majority Leader Chuck Winder (208) 332-1308 Majority Caucus Chair Todd M. Lakey (208) 332-1304 Minority Leader Michelle Stennett (208) 332-1410 Assistant Minority Leader Cherie Buckner-Webb (208) 332-1411 Minority Caucus Chair Grant Burgoyne (208) 332-1412 146 IDAHO BLUE BOOK House of Representatives Leadership Speaker of the House Scott Bedke (208) 332-1111 Majority Leader Mike Moyle (208) 332-1120 Assistant Majority Leader Brent J. Crane (208) 332-1120 Majority Caucus Chair John Vander Woude (208) 332-1120 Minority Leader John Rusche (208) 332-1130 Assistant Minority Leader Mat Erpelding (208) 332-1078 Minority Caucus Chair Donna Pence (208) 332-1130 Lobbyists Any person who contacts a legislator Chapter 66, Idaho Code), was enacted into or a legislative committee with the intent law by an initiative in the 1974 general to influence the approval, modification or election by 78 percent voter approval. rejection of any legislation is a lobbyist. If The law was effective upon the Governor’s this person accepts payment for his services proclamation on November 27, 1974. as a lobbyist, he must register with the office Registered lobbyists are required to file of the Secretary of State and comply with periodic reports of their activities which the “Sunshine Law” for political funds and disclose contributions and expenditures. lobbyist disclosure. The following tables are from records on Legislative The Sunshine Law for Political Funds file in the Secretary of State’s office. and Lobbyist Activity Disclosure, (Title 67, Year No. of Registered Lobbyists Total Expenditures 1974* 28 $3,812.70 1975 488 $128,537.32 1976 424 $140,177.65 1977 298 $264,143.25 1978 278 $134,179.01 1979 290 $105,560.31 1980 274 $126,950.16 1981 296 $169,693.58 1982 268 $150,884.74 1983 258 $137,924.59 1984 290 $154,304.95 1985 291 $165,162.40 1986 289 $160,120.39 1987 262 $220,746.88 1988 283 $233,383.37 1989 284 $228,539.28 1990 304 $329,419.01 1991 269 $293,655.21 1992 300 $268,455.78 1993 290 $280,516.82 1994 287 $272,151.84 1995 296 $266,523.93 1996 312 $271,648.14 1997 325 $278,374.37 CHAPTER 4: Legislative Branch 147 1998 322 $457,151.62 1999 340 $403,446.49 2000 355 $368,657.36 2001 331 $464,249.76 2002 336 $397,031.48 2003 366 $492,137.78 2004 309 $487,340.65 2005 321 $506,766.91 2006 392 $869,663.60 2007 372 $502,528.22 2008 393 $588,188.18 2009 395 $505,977.75 2010 408 $503,862.17 2011 423 $942,631.35 2012 422 $650,863.58 2013 414 $667,047.27 2014 421 $565,609.34 *The expenditures of lobbyists registered in 1974 were incurred from the effective date of the law, November 27, 1974 through December 31, 1974. The Legislature at Work Each daily session of each house of the at times, members will be away from their Legislature begins with the roll call of the desks. Some may be in caucuses, which members and a prayer by the Chaplain, are informal meetings of the members of who is selected by the members the first one political party, or perhaps testifying day of the session. for their own bills before Senate or House Traditionally, the sessions begin at committees. Others may be involved in 10:00 a.m. each morning and last until hurried conferences with other members, all immediate business to be considered or be seeing constituents or groups from is finished. In the early morning and their home districts who are visiting the late afternoon, committee meetings are Capitol. Some of the informal conferences scheduled to prevent any conflict with the on controversial issues will occur on the sessions. Late in the session, late afternoon floor itself. sessions are common. The sessions held at Press, radio and television the beginning of the year are of a shorter correspondents assigned to the Legislature duration as committees are meeting much have been allocated desks along the sides of the time to consider legislation referred of the podium of the chamber floor so they to their committees.