Unusual Idaho legislative session ends in uncharted ground

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The longest ever Idaho legislative session has been filled with unusual events and ended in uncharted ground shortly before midnight Wednesday.

The Idaho Senate voted to officially adjourn while the House voted to recess up to Dec. 31.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, an attorney, said that means Republican House Speaker Scott Bedke could potentially call the House back into session this year and, with a vote of its members, force the Senate to return as well.

“Under the spirit of the Idaho Constitution, it’s contemplated that we go home,” Anthon said of the part-time Legislature. “That we are not here in Boise year-round. Even if there can be a procedural loophole around that, there’s not a desire for that in the Idaho Senate Republicans.”

During the extended recess, lawmakers would not get per diem expenses. Wednesday marked day 122 of the session, eclipsing the 118-day session of 2003.

The Republican-dominated Legislature has been engaged in a bruising, months-long battle with Republican Gov. Brad Little over balance of power issues involving coronavirus pandemic restrictions and spending federal rescue money. The Senate is satisfied with the results, while the House has concerns.

The session included a two-week break when COVID-19 infected a half-dozen House members, mainly Republicans who typically don’t wear masks. And a freshman Republican lawmaker resigned amid rape allegations and after an ethics panel recommended he be expelled from the House.

The session resulted in a big income tax cut and rebate; a new property tax relief law rushed through in the waning days of the session that opponents say is deeply flawed and backers say is better than nothing; significant funding for transportation; and a new law that could lead to...