House panel OKs amended version of federalism committee

An amended version of legislation creating a panel of 10 lawmakers to monitor how federal laws affect Idaho’s sovereignty is headed to the House.

The House State Affairs Committee on Thursday voted to approve creating the Committee on Federalism.

A previous version passed the House but was amended in the Senate to remove the committee’s ability to hire attorneys because of the potential costs.

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.

Republican Rep. Jason Monks says the amended bill also includes ideas in another bill creating an Idaho Council on Federal Lands that appears dead this session.

Monks also says the committee could include subcommittees to look at particular issues involving the state’s relationship with the federal government.