What is HJR 5?

On November 8th voters will have the chance to either vote “yes” or “no” on HJR 5, however some may not understand what they are voting for or against.

Former Idaho lawmaker Linden Bateman said the Legislature has the right to review regulations adopted by an agency.

Bateman said HJR 5 has been on the ballot a couple of times before, and voters didn’t understand it.

“All HJR 5 does is lock this power in by putting it in the state constitution. That way some state Supreme Court judge in the future couldn’t rule this power is ‘not’ the lawmakers because it’s ‘not’ in the constitution. The bill would put it in the constitution,” Bateman said.

“Lawmakers think they should have the final say because they’re not bureaucrats. They’re elected by the people,” Bateman said.

Attorney General Lawrence G. Wasden shared a different opinion on how voters should vote “no”on HJR 5, “I hope you will join me in agreeing that this amendment should once again be rejected. HJR 5 ignores the will of the people as expressed just two years ago. More importantly, HJR 5 threatens to permanently invade the executive and judicial branches of Idaho’s government, disrupting the balance and separation of powers contemplated by Idaho’s founders.”