Sb1392 passed the House and is on its way to the governor (The bill morphed into Sb 1431a after heading to the amending order out of committee). This bill provides protections to homeowners subject to foreclosures. It requires that when a notice of foreclosure is served--a filing at the first stage of foreclosure--It must give information pertaining to foreclosure rescue schemes and this must be done in the language that the original agreement was negotiated in.
In addition, the bill requires that if a jeopardized home-owner enters into agreements with a "foreclosure rescue service provider" that they have a five-day right of recision . Wise legislation. The legislation was pounded in Senate committee, and saw an interesting exchange on the floor. At first it had an easy time in House committee, but then the other dems (of all things) almost held the bill and considered sending it to the amending order. Thankfully, that didn't happen. The Department of Finance and the AG's office were instrumental in helping with information and testimony in favour of the bill.
Sb1443 relating to allowances for the self-administration of life-saving medications by auto-injector in public schools. This legislation seemed to be a no brainer--and it turned out it was. Sometimes though, rationality does not prevail, so we were very prepared with nursing association representatives and an emergency physician. The legislation breezed through committee and it should have an easy time on the floor--Although the House is known for lengthy debates over simple issues. Arguing over whether 100% fruit juice is better than corn-syrup is one example that comes to mind.
Both bills will have a positive affect on the citizens of Idaho. Their easy passage was a relief. Bills can take many paths when they enter the system: they can be held without a hearing; they can be held with a no vote hearing; they can have a hearing and be held (this is when a bill is "killed in committee"; they can be sent to the amending order (where they can end up intact, bleed to death, or be radically transformed); they can go to the floor and die; they can go to the floor and live and die at some point on the other side of the process; or they can make it all the way to the Governor. It is always satisfying when a good bill makes it to its destination, it is upsetting when a good bill doesn't, and it is really awful when a bad bill sails through.
My postman today mentioned he hadn't seen me lately. I told him I had started working and he, of course, asked where. When I told him "the legislature" he said, "Oh, do they have some good laws going this year?" and I said (in my typical provocative style) "Not as many good as bad." He was slightly taken a-back and mumbled something about change coming. "Yep" I said, "We'll see what happens in the next election."
That really is it. People don't realize that policy making sets the tone for a great deal of our daily lives that we take for granted. (It also misses a lot--which continues to persuade me towards subversivity). It is time to change paths. In so doing we will clear the way for progressive legislation that reflects caring and committed policy choices that truly serve all our citizens. Something to believe in.
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