The Idaho House has rejected a proposal that would have allowed state lawmakers to nullify any federal laws, regulations, or U.S. Supreme Court decisions
The chamber on Monday voted 40-29 to kill legislation brought by Riggins Repulican Rep. Paul Shepherd, who said his bill was needed because he disagrees with the outcomes of recent prominent federal court cases. Shepherd pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage as an example of a case Idaho should challenge.
Several members countered the measure was likely an active obstruction of federal law and would not hold up in court – an argument backed by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.
The bill would have allowed lawmakers to claim any federal law or regulation as unconstitutional. If the Legislature then passed a measure supporting that lawmaker’s claim, the state wouldn’t be allowed to enforce the federal regulation. (AP)
