1 of 2 proposed Idaho committees on federal issues advancing

Legislation creating an Idaho Council on Federal Lands appears to be dead while another amended bill creating a Committee on Federalism remains viable.

The bill creating the Idaho Council on Federal lands has stalled in the Senate’s amending process, and Republican Sen. Mark Harris said Wednesday that it’s likely dead this session.

The Senate on Tuesday approved an amended version of the bill creating the Committee on Federalism.

The amendment removed the committee’s ability to hire attorneys.

However, the committee could still hire attorneys if it received approval from Republican House Speaker Scott Bedke and Republican Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill.

The Committee on Federalism would monitor how federal laws and regulations impact Idaho’s sovereignty.