November 12, 2022
Throughout the pandemic, Idahoans clamored for their elected representatives to be called to Boise to assist in setting pandemic policy and to supervise the disbursement of federal COVID-relief dollars. Governor Little refused to heed the repeated demands of the people of Idaho, choosing to keep pandemic management solely in the hands of the executive branch. In response, the legislature proposed amending section 8 Article III of the Idaho Constitution, adding the underlined text was added, and deleting the struck-through text:
Text of Section 8:
Sessions of Legislature
(1.)The regular sessions of the legislature shall must be held annually at the capital of the state, commencing on the second Monday of January of each year, unless a different day shall have been appointed by law, and at other times in extraordinary sessions when convened by the governor and in organizational sessions commencing on the first Thursday of December after the general election, unless a different day shall have been appointed by law.
(2) The legislature, while remaining a part-time, citizen legislature, must also be convened in special session by the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives upon receipt of a joint written petition of at least sixty percent of the membership of each house, specifying the subjects to be considered. Such special session must commence no later than fifteen days after the petition is received by the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. At a special session convened pursuant to this section, the legislature shall have no power to consider or pass any bills or resolutions on any subjects other than those specified in the petition and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.
The proposed amendment appeared on the ballot for the general election. It was adopted, with 52.02% of voters in favor and 47.98% opposed.
