The Bad Bills of 2020
This legislative session brought forward many bills that were shocking on all levels of common sense, as well as a handful of others that I support. I wanted to write a recap of the more horrific legislation that was passed by both House and Senate this session and ask you to contact the Governor so we can get these bills vetoed. Many thanks to groups such as Idaho Women in Action for gathering all this information.
Governor Little can be contacted through March 31st on these bill by emailing him at Governor@gov.idaho.gov and by calling 208-334-2100.
HB440 State Sanctioned Discrimination, Public
Framed as a con on affirmative action, this bill will undermine much-needed efforts to rectify unconscious bias and bring diversity to our workforce. It removes diversity as a criteria in public employment, education, and contracting.
HB500 “Fairness in Women’s Sports”
Prohibits all transgender women from participating in sports from birth to college.
There has not been a single instance of a problem with female transgender athletes in Idaho- this is legislation is search of a problem.
All girls can be challenged and subjected to scrutiny, exams, blood tests, etc. In the bill there is no criteria, rules, due process, or boundaries for challenging the athlete. Anyone can challenge any athlete at any age for no reason.
Who pays for the exams, blood tests, DNA tests, and how available are these in all parts of Idaho, what is the turn-around and how long will the athlete have to sit on the sidelines?
This will be challenged in court and will probably be struck down.
Idaho High School Association, NCAA and IOC already have rules and guidelines that have served Idaho well. None of these groups (who are experts on fairness in sports) have found it necessary to ban all female transgender athletes from sports.
HB509 No Change to Gender Marker on Birth Certificates
US District Court in Idaho ruled in 3/2018 that prohibiting a change to the gender marker on birth certificate violates the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
This will be challenged in court - do we want to spend thousands of Idaho tax dollars defending a case that already has precedent and will lose?
SB1385 Trigger law to criminalize ALL abortions in Idaho, if Roe v Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court
There is no exception for the health of the mother.
For rape, you must go through an arduous process in court to prove you were raped.
HB516 Concealed Weapons, any citizen over 18 can carry anywhere in Idaho
Would allow just about anyone to legally carry concealed handguns in public places across our state with no training or background check.
This is a threat to public safety.
Boise City Council “Gerrymandering” Bill – The legislature mandated that only Boise create geographic districts and city council candidates must live in the district for which they run. This takes local control away from the citizens of Boise, and this only applies to Boise, - no other city in the state of any size. Blatant partisanship and usurpation of local control.
I am running for office knowing that bills like the ones above will continuously be presented in Idaho but I am ready to continue Maryanne Jordan’s legacy in fighting for equity and representation for ALL Idahoans.
Thank you for your support!
