Transportation, immigration among session's top issues

I hope all is well. It feels like spring is finally beginning. 

The 14th week of the legislative session is beginning a little late April 10. Both the House and Senate voted to recess last week for six days to provide some time for an abundance of bills to be processed. The declaration of a recess stops the daily costs associated with 105 legislators being in Boise. 

In late March, we are usually voting on budget appropriations. However, this year we are addressing many policy issues as well. 

Immigration is a growing concern across our state. Although it’s mostly a federal problem, there are many issues we are experiencing here. Earlier this session, we passed bills addressing our fentanyl crisis and human-trafficking. Both of these issues are exacerbated by our porous southern border. 

We have sent our Idaho state troopers to assist other law enforcement agencies at the border. Besides providing their labor at the border, our troopers learn from the experience and then train our law enforcement agencies throughout the state on the latest drug smuggling and human trafficking techniques. 

The legislature also acted by passing a Senate Joint Memorial (SJM102) in late March. SJM 102 sends a clear message to our federal representatives and to the federal government that Idahoans want something done with the immigration problem. The message addressed the need to deter, detect, and stop immigration at the border. It provided no amnesty. 

SJM 102 did note that our state has other needs relative to immigration. It is estimated that we have as many as 35,000 agricultural workers in our state working year-round. This workforce is managed by the farm and dairy industries. Currently, our country has an agricultural "guest worker" program in place that fills some of the need for labor for seasonal work. However, the year-round needs of Idaho’s dairy farmers are not served by this system. We need a year-round immigration worker policy from the federal government.

Our dairy production is ranked third in the country. Idaho dairies generate almost 11 billion dollars in total sales. It is estimated that over 30,000 jobs are created from the operation of over 400 Idaho dairies. Ninety percent of the labor at the dairy farms is foreign-born. So clearly, immigration practices matter for the dairy industry and the Idaho economy. 

We also passed HB753 in the House last week. The bill classifies individuals here illegally as guilty of an offense against the state. It empowers law enforcement officers to act when, in the course of their duties and with probable cause, they find someone to be here illegally. There are defenses provided for those here with proper approvals.  During the debate of the bill, several representatives stood to talk about incidents involving situations where an illegal immigrant had caused a traffic accident and remained in the state after the incident. If this bill becomes law, the state would be empowered to order the deportation of such persons.  The bill has passed the House and is in the Senate now.  

The House also passed a transportation appropriations bill (HB770) that includes over half a billion dollars in infrastructure spending. This bill supports road and bridge work throughout the state. HB770 also includes directions for state transportation officials to stop the sale of a valuable piece of state ground in Boise. This issue has drawn considerable concern from many as it mixes appropriation decisions with a policy matter. The Idaho constitution directs legislation to be a single subject, but the courts have allowed a broad interpretation of this by the Legislature. 

I’m returning to Boise to represent our district Tuesday, April 9, to finish this session and hopefully return later this week. I will be vigorously campaigning for re-election until the primary election May 21, when I return. I look forward to seeing you around the district. 

I will write a wrap-up piece in the next couple of weeks.

You can reach me at msauter@house.idaho.gov with your feedback and insight.