For over 100 years, the League’s nonpartisan mission has been to facilitate informed citizen participation in government. That participation is integral to our democratic republic.

H652 is just another step in an ongoing effort to deny Idahoans their constitutionally protected role in bringing public matters before the voters of Idaho.

The current rules for qualifying an initiative mean that few make the ballot. Reducing the period to collect signatures by one month, having a nuisance rule of monthly submissions and a 60-day public review period will have a detrimental impact on the peoples right granted by the Idaho Constitution. 

At this point thousands of Idahoans have participated in this popular process. Instead of feeling threatened by participation, the Legislature would do well to support the will of the people and stop trying to short circuit the initiative process.

This bill is a bad idea, and its message is bad politics. Please send H652 back to its sponsor. 

Thank you.

Submitted on 3-1-2024 to the Idaho House State Affairs Committee by Kendal Shaber of the GB MAL Unit