GREATER IDAHO BILL INTRODUCED INTO IDAHO STATE LEGISLATURE

February 3, 2023 3:00 a.m.

A bill that would invite Oregon to begin talks with the Idaho Legislature about relocating their state line was awarded a bill number, HJM 1, by the Idaho House of Representatives’ State Affairs Committee on Wednesday, after a short discussion. It was then read on the floor of the House. A full hearing before the committee has been scheduled for February 13th at 9:00 a.m.

A release from Greater Idaho said Representatives Judy Boyle and Barbara Ehardt are the bill’s leads sponsor, and three cosponsors signed onto the bill immediately after it was printed. Representative Boyle, whose district shares a border with Oregon said she supports the legislation because her county has been overwhelmed by drugs since Oregon changed its laws on marijuana and decriminalized hard drugs. Boyle said moving the state line would move the problem farther away.

Representative Boyle cited a forthcoming final report on an economic analysis that was funded by the Claremont Institute. The study found that relocating the state border would provide a net benefit to the government of Idaho’s budget of $170 million annually.

The release said the legislation mirrors a bill introduced into this session of the Oregon Legislature by Senator Dennis Linthicum.

More information about the Greater Idaho movement is linked: https://www.greateridaho.org/