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VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO

Idaho governor declares emergency due to coronavirus

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little declared a state of emergency Friday due to the new coronavirus. The Republican governor said there are no confirmed cases in the state but he wanted the state to be prepared. He said the emergency declaration would be in effect for 30 days but could be extended. The declaration makes emergency money available and gives Little flexibility in responding to situations around the state. State officials say more than 100 people in Idaho have so far been tested, but no one has been positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

ABORTION FUNDING BAN

Idaho bill aimed at abortion funding heads to full Senate

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill in Idaho that would ban any public money from going to organizations that provide abortions is heading to the Senate. The Senate State Affairs Committee on Friday sent the measure to the full Senate for possible amendments. The amendments haven't been made public, but sponsors told the committee they are intended to avoid potential lawsuits. Federal and state law already bans public funding for abortion except in certain circumstances, such as when a pregnancy results from rape or incest or endangers the pregnant woman’s life. But health care providers who perform abortions can receive public funding for other medical services. The bill seeks to cut off that funding.

SUPREME COURT-POLICE IMMUNITY

Supreme Court petitioned on police officers' legal immunity

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — A public interest law firm is asking the Supreme Court to consider whether police officers and other government agents should have broad immunity from civil lawsuits. The court is expected to decide as soon as this month whether to take the cases. In one, a college student was restricted from suing officers who beat him up in a case of mistaken identity. Another involves a woman whose home was destroyed by agents looking for her ex-boyfriend. The Arlington, Virginia-based Institute for Justice says officers are hiding behind a doctrine called “qualified immunity” that allows them to violate citizens' rights without penalty.

ABORTION-IDAHO

Idaho bill outlaws abortion if Roe v. Wade is reversed

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate has approved legislation making abortion a crime should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, the ruling establishing abortion rights nationwide. The Senate voted 27-7 Thursday to approve the measure that includes exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Under the measure, criminal punishment would apply to the person performing the abortion, not the woman. A reversal of Roe would mean abortion policy would revert to the states. President Donald Trump has appointed two conservative judges to the U.S. Supreme Court, and there’s speculation the court could overturn the 1973 Roe decision. The measure now goes to the House.

CROP DUSTERS-REGULATION

Crop-dusting bill heads to Idaho Senate for possible changes

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation sought by pesticide-spraying crop dusters that opponents say will leave Idaho residents susceptible to getting hit with poison from above got some significant changes in a Senate committee. The Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the measure with the possible changes adding back in protections for people on the ground. Republican Sen. Jim Guthrie, the committee chairman, guaranteed the changes would become part of the final bill when it reaches the full Senate. The legislation follows an incident last year where about 20 farmworkers in southwestern Idaho said they became sick after a crop duster sprayed pesticide on a field right next to them.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO

Idaho lawmakers eye fast exit if coronavirus hits Statehouse

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little and leaders in the Idaho House and Senate have made contingency plans for a hasty end to the legislative session should someone in the Statehouse get the new coronavirus. Little said Thursday that aggregating lawmakers from all 44 of Idaho's counties as well as drawing in visitors is not the best scenario. Republican House Speaker Scott Bedke said budget bills are being expedited because they need to be passed before the Legislature can adjourn. He's considering having lawmakers work on Saturday. No one in Idaho has tested positive for the virus so far, but health officials say it's only a matter of time.

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