Capitol Letters: Bill could protect Idaho renters from ‘predatory’ landlord fees

By Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter

Some Idaho landlords are evicting renters who can’t afford fees applied to late rental payments, which can amount to a $500 flat fee or $100 daily rate until rent is paid, said Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise.

Rabe, who runs Jesse Tree, a nonprofit that helps people avoid eviction and homelessness, is sponsoring a bill that would require rental fees to be “reasonable” and clearly stated in lease agreements.

“This is a real problem, one of the biggest issues that I’ve seen tenants facing over the last few years,” Rabe told the Senate yesterday.

The regulations would give tenants legal recourse to challenge exorbitant fees in small claims court, Rabe said.

The Senate passed the bill with bipartisan support after property managers lobbied for it. Ten senators declared potential conflicts of interest for owning rental properties, and most voted in favor of the bill.

Read my full story here.

Bill would require school bathroom access based on sex

A new Idaho bill would allow students to sue their school if they encounter a student using a bathroom that doesn’t align with their sex at birth.

Sponsored by Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, and the Idaho Family Policy Center, a religious lobbying group, the bill comes as Idaho school boards mull best practices for addressing students’ gender identity and sexual orientation.

“This is a hot-button issue for a lot of people,” Adams told the Senate Education Committee yesterday. “That’s why this legislation is here. Imagine being a school superintendent or a school administrator and having this on your plate every day.”

The bill would require that public schools maintain male and female multi-use restrooms accessible to students based on their sex as “genetically determined at conception.” It would also direct schools to offer separate restroom accommodations for transgender students.

The Senate Education Committee cleared the legislation yesterday following a public hearing.

Most of the public testimony supported the legislation and centered on fears that transgender students would violate the privacy of other students if they were allowed to use restrooms that align with their gender identity. Others said they fear transgender students would harm other students in bathrooms.

A handful of Idaho residents who said they’re transgender vehemently opposed the bill. Emilia Connelly, of Boise, said they expected to face harm after moving to Idaho, because they’re transgender. Instead, Connelly has found “almost complete acceptance,” including from a co-worker who offers daily reminders to take estrogen.

“That kind of response doesn’t come from people who are afraid of trans folks,” Connelly said. “This Legislature is acting as though we are a threat.”

The bill now heads to the full Senate.

What to expect today

• 8 a.m. Senate State Affairs. Lawmakers will hold public hearings on a bill that would eliminate student ID cards as a valid form of voter ID and a bill to remove August and March election dates for school bonds.

• 9 a.m. House State Affairs. Legislation on abortion is on the docket. Lawmakers will also hold a public hearing on House Bill 29, which would prohibit former legislators from working as lobbyists at the Capitol six months after leaving public office.

• 9 a.m. House Health and Welfare. The committee will consider a slew of draft legislation that include Medicaid amendments and daycare licenses.

Find the full list of committee meetings and agendas for the House here, and for the Senate here.

What else happened?

Keep track of high-profile bills as they go through the legislative process. You can find yesterday’s updates here.

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