What to Watch as the Legislature Convenes

The Idaho Legislature convenes today at the Statehouse, commencing a months-long process of budget-setting, the push and pull between Republicans, and Democrats fighting for scraps. New topics will certainly arise (AI, anyone?), but the policies up for debate will largely be a continuation of issues that have dominated the last few sessions.

Major Conflicts and Topics

Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog (R-Meridian) told KTVB that school choice policies will again be a “hot topic” of conversation — though she, like many Republicans, still wants to avoid the term “school vouchers” — after a school voucher program failed last year.

As it has every session for decades, abortion will also return to the floor as a topic of conversation. Republicans haven’t been able to settle on a medically applicable definition of the terms “health” and “life” of a pregnant person, nor are they content with the way hospitals and physicians are reacting to the state’s abortion bans.

Another topic that will determine the course of the legislation isn’t a policy at all, but the continuation of the saga that is the Idaho GOP’s identity-finding mission. Last year, Republicans made a rare leadership change mid-session, and since then two GOP leaders have either been ousted or resigned. Expect more oxygen-consuming conflict between extreme and moderate Republicans in 2025.

Your District and Legislators

Use the interactive map above to find your specific district, which will also show you your representatives and senators.

With plenty of small exceptions, the valley’s districts generally contain the following areas:

We want to know: What are you keeping an eye on this session?