Idaho State Senate

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Idaho State Senate
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Republican
Session start:   January 8, 2024
Session end:   March 29, 2024
Term length:   2 years
Term limits:   None
Redistricting:  Commission
Salary:   $16,684/year + per diem
Members
Total:  35
Democrats:  7
Republicans:  28
Other:  0
Vacancies:  0
Leadership
President:   Chuck Winder (R)
Maj. Leader:   Kelly Anthon (R)
Min. Leader:   Melissa Wintrow (D)
Elections
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Next election:  November 5, 2024

The Idaho State Senate is the upper chamber of the Idaho State Legislature. Alongside the Idaho House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Idaho state government and works alongside the governor of Idaho to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Idaho State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Idaho State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Boise, Idaho.

  • All 35 seats in the Idaho State Senate were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Republican majority remained 28-7. Click to read more »
  • Idaho has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the Idaho State Senate.

    Party control

    Current partisan control

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Idaho State Senate as of January 2024:

    Party As of January 2024
         Democratic Party 7
         Republican Party 28
         Other 0
         Vacancies 0
    Total 35

    Members

    Leadership

    The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate. The president pro tempore, who is elected by Senate caucus, presides over the daily session when the lieutenant governor isn't present and is also the chief leadership position in the majority party.[1]

    Leadership and members


    Office Name Party Date assumed office
    Idaho State Senate District 1 Scott Herndon Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 2 Phil Hart Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 3 Doug Okuniewicz Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 4 Ben Toews Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 5 Carl Bjerke Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 6 Dan Foreman Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 7 Cindy Carlson Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 8 Geoff Schroeder Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 9 Abby Lee Republican December 1, 2014
    Idaho State Senate District 10 Tammy Nichols Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 11 Chris Trakel Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 12 Ben Adams Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 13 Brian Lenney Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 14 C. Scott Grow Republican August 15, 2018
    Idaho State Senate District 15 Rick Just Democratic December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 16 Alison Rabe Democratic December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 17 Carrie Semmelroth Democratic November 30, 2021
    Idaho State Senate District 18 Janie Ward-Engelking Democratic January 8, 2014
    Idaho State Senate District 19 Melissa Wintrow Democratic December 1, 2020
    Idaho State Senate District 20 Chuck Winder Republican 2012
    Idaho State Senate District 21 Treg Bernt Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 22 Lori Den Hartog Republican December 1, 2014
    Idaho State Senate District 23 Todd Lakey Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 24 Glenneda Zuiderveld Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 25 Linda Wright Hartgen Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 26 Ron Taylor Democratic December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 27 Kelly Anthon Republican 2015
    Idaho State Senate District 28 Jim Guthrie Republican December 1, 2012
    Idaho State Senate District 29 James Ruchti Democratic December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 30 Julie VanOrden Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 31 Van Burtenshaw Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 32 Kevin Cook Republican December 1, 2022
    Idaho State Senate District 33 David Lent Republican December 1, 2018
    Idaho State Senate District 34 Doug Ricks Republican December 1, 2020
    Idaho State Senate District 35 Mark Harris Republican December 1, 2022


    Salaries

    See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislative salaries, 2023
    SalaryPer diem
    $19,913/yearFor legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $74/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $221/day.

    Swearing in dates

    See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

    Idaho legislators assume office ​on the first day in December following the general election.[2]

    Membership qualifications

    See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

    Article III, Section 6 of the Idaho Constitution states: "No person shall be a senator or representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the United States, and an elector of this state, nor anyone who has not been for one year next preceding his election an elector of the county or district whence he may be chosen."[3]

    Historical party control

    Republicans won control of the Idaho State Senate in 1992. In 2022, they won a 28-7 majority.

    The table below shows the partisan history of the Idaho Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Idaho State Senate election results: 1992-2022

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
    Democrats 12 8 5 4 3 7 7 7 7 7 6 7 6 7 7 7
    Republicans 23 27 30 31 32 28 28 28 28 28 29 28 29 28 28 28

    Trifecta history

    A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Idaho was under the following types of trifecta control:

    • Democratic trifecta: None
    • Republican trifecta: 1995-2023
    • Divided government: 1992-1994

    Idaho Party Control: 1992-2024
    No Democratic trifectas  •  Thirty years of Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
    Governor D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    House R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

    Elections

    Elections by year

    Idaho state senators serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Idaho holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2024

    See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2024

    Elections for the Idaho State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is May 21, 2024. The filing deadline is March 15, 2024.

    2022

    See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2022

    Elections for the Idaho State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 11, 2022.

    In the 2022 elections, the Republicans in the Idaho State Senate retained their 28-7 majority.

    Idaho State Senate
    Party As of November 8, 2022 After November 9, 2022
         Democratic Party 7 7
         Republican Party 28 28
    Total 35 35

    2020

    See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2020

    Elections for the office of Idaho State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was March 13, 2020.

    On March 30, 2020, Governor Brad Little (R) and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney (R) announced that Idaho's primary election would be conducted by mail. On March 24, 2020, the secretary of state announced the implementation of online absentee ballot application process, which can be accessed here. The primary date effectively changed from May 19, 2020, to June 2, 2020—the day on which ballots were due.[4]

    In the 2020 elections, the Republicans in the Idaho State Senate retained their 28-7 majority.

    Idaho State Senate
    Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
         Democratic Party 7 7
         Republican Party 28 28
    Total 35 35

    2018

    See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2018

    Elections for the Idaho State Senate took place in 2018. A semi-closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2018.[5]

    In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Idaho State Senate was reduced from 29-6 to 28-7.

    Idaho State Senate
    Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
         Democratic Party 6 7
         Republican Party 29 28
    Total 35 35

    2016

    See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2016

    Elections for the Idaho State Senate were held in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016. All 35 seats in the Idaho State Senate were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 28-7 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 29-6 majority.

    Idaho State Senate
    Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
         Democratic Party 7 6
         Republican Party 28 29
    Total 35 35

    Vacancies

    See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    If there is a vacancy in the Idaho State Legislature, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement.

    The political party committee that last held the vacant seat has 15 days after the vacancy to submit a list of three recommended candidates to the governor. The governor makes the selection based on the recommendations.

    If any party committee fails to submit a list of recommended candidates after the 15-day deadline, the governor has 5 days to appoint a person from the political party that last held the seat. The person appointed to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[12]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Idaho Code §59-904A

    District map

    See also: Idaho state legislative districts

    The state of Idaho has 35 legislative districts. Senators are elected from the same legislative districts as are members of the Idaho state House. Each district elects one senator and two representatives.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.



    Redistricting

    See also: Redistricting in Idaho

    In 37 states, legislatures are primarily responsible for drawing congressional district lines. Seven states have only one congressional district each, rendering congressional redistricting unnecessary. Four states employ independent commissions to draw the district maps. In two states, politician commissions draw congressional district lines.

    State legislative district lines are primarily the province of the state legislatures themselves in 37 states. In seven states, politician commissions draw state legislative district lines. In the remaining six states, independent commissions draw the lines.[13]

    In Idaho, an independent commission is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. The commission is composed of six members.[14]

    1. One member is appointed by the majority leader of the Idaho State Senate.
    2. One member is appointed by the minority leader of the Idaho State Senate.
    3. One member is appointed by the majority leader of the Idaho House of Representatives.
    4. One member is appointed by the minority leader of the Idaho House of Representatives.
    5. The chairs of the state's two largest political parties each appoint one member.

    According to the Idaho Constitution, no member may be an elected or appointed official while serving on the commission. The state constitution further requires that the commission produce draft congressional and state legislative maps within 90 days of the commission's formation. There is no explicit deadline for final plans.[14]

    The state constitution requires that state legislative districts "be contiguous, and that counties be preserved intact where possible." State statutes require that both congressional and state legislative districts meet the following criteria:[14]

    • County lines must be maintained "to the extent possible."
    • Districts must "preserve traditional neighborhoods, communities of interest, and (if possible) voting precinct boundaries."
    • Districts should not be "oddly shaped."
    • In districts comprising more than one county or a portion thereof, "those constituent pieces must also be connected by a state or federal highway."

    2020

    See also: Redistricting in Idaho after the 2020 census

    On November 12, 2021, the Idaho Independent Redistricting Commission formally submitted its final legislative map to the secretary of state. On November 10, 2021, the commission voted 6-0 in favor of the final legislative map.[15] The commission had earlier voted in favor of the map on November 5, 2021, but chose to recast their votes on November 10, 2021, due to concerns regarding Idaho's open meetings laws.[15][16][17] Idaho has 35 legislative districts, each of which elects one senator and two representatives.

    District map before and after 2020 redistricting

    Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

    Idaho State Senate Districts
    until November 30, 2022

    Click a district to compare boundaries.

    Idaho State Senate Districts
    starting December 1, 2022

    Click a district to compare boundaries.


    2010

    See also: Redistricting in Idaho after the 2010 census

    Idaho received its local census data on March 20, 2011. These tables show the change in population in the five largest cities and counties in Idaho from 2000-2010:[18]

    Top Five most populous cities
    City 2000 Population 2010 Population Percent change
    Boise City 185,787 205,671 10.7%
    Nampa 51,867 81,557 57.2%
    Meridian 34,919 75,092 115.0%
    Idaho Falls 50,730 56,813 12.0%
    Pocatello 51,466 54,255 5.4%
    Top Five most populous counties
    County 2000 Population 2010 Population Percent Change
    Ada 300,904 392,365 30.4%
    Canyon 131,441 188,923 43.7%
    Kootenai 108,685 138,494 27.4%
    Bonneville 82,522 104,234 26.3%
    Bannock 75,565 82,839 9.6%

    Each party on Idaho’s bipartisan redistricting commission released its legislative redistricting proposals in August of 2011. On August 17, 2011, the Idaho Commission on Reapportionment adjourned until August 30, citing progress on the maps. The commission did not agree to a new map of the state's legislative districts by the 5 p.m. deadline on September 6, 2011, and a reformed Reapportionment Commission was created. On October 14, 2011, the reformed commission unanimously adopted a plan for the new legislative districts, formally known as L-87.

    Sessions

    Legislation

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Idaho State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in Idaho by year

    2024

    See also: 2024 Idaho legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

    In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on March 29, 2024.

    2023

    See also: 2023 Idaho legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

    In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on April 6, 2023.



    About legislative sessions in Idaho

    The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[23] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    Article III of the Idaho Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session; section 8 of Article III allows the Legislature to change the starting date by law. According to 67-404 Idaho Code, the Idaho Legislature convenes annually at 12:00 noon on the Monday closest to the 9th of January. Section 8 also states that the Governor of Idaho can convene special sessions of the Legislature at any time.[24][25]

    Legislative roles and procedures

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

    Veto overrides

    Veto Override Graphic-Republican Party.png

    See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

    State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Idaho are listed below.

    How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

    Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 47 of the 70 members in the Idaho House of Representatives and 24 of the 35 members in the Idaho State Senate. Idaho is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

    Authority: Article IV, Section 10 of the Idaho Constitution.

    "Every bill passed by the legislature shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it, and thereupon it shall become a law; but if he do not approve, he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it originated, which house shall enter the objections at large upon its journals and proceed to reconsider the bill. If then twothirds (2/3) of the members present agree to pass the same, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered: and if approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present in that house, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the objections of the governor."

    Role in state budget

    See also: Idaho state budget and finances
    Idaho on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
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    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    Idaho operates on an annual budget cycle with each fiscal year beginning in July. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[26]

    1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
    2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by September 1.
    3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the Idaho State Legislature five days after the session convenes in January.
    4. In February or March, the legislature adopts the budget. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.

    Idaho is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[26]

    The budget the governor proposes must be balanced. The legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget, and the governor must sign a balanced budget into law.[26]

    Committees

    See also: List of committees in Idaho state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Idaho State Senate has 10 standing committees:


    Constitutional amendments

    In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

    The methods in which the Idaho Constitution can be amended:

    See also: Article XX of the Idaho Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Idaho

    Article XX of the Idaho Constitution establishes two ways in which the constitution can be amended, either via legislatively referred constitutional amendments or constitutional conventions. Idaho does not feature the power of citizen initiative for initiated constitutional amendments.

    Legislature

    See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

    A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Idaho State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 47 votes in the Idaho House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Idaho State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

    Convention

    See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

    According to Article XX of the Idaho Constitution, a constitutional convention can be called if two-thirds of the members of each house of the Idaho State Legislature vote to place before the people a question as to whether the people want to call a convention. If a majority of all the voters voting at the election vote for a convention, the legislature must arrange to have a convention.



    2025 measures:

    See also: 2025 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

    No measures to list

    2024 measures:

    Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.

    See also: Idaho 2024 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.
    Idaho Initiative Signature Requirement Per Legislative District AmendmentDemocratsRepublicans
    Senate:Required: 24Yes votes: 27 (77.1%)No votes: 8 (22.8%)Yes: 0; No: 7Yes: 27; No: 1
    House:Required: 47Yes votes: 39 (55.7%)No votes: 31 (44.2%)Yes: 0; No: 11Yes: 39; No: 20

    See also

    Elections Idaho State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Idaho State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. Idaho State Legislature, "Idaho’s Citizen Legislature," accessed February 15, 2021
    2. Idaho Constitution, "Article III, Section 3," accessed December 18, 2019
    3. Idaho Legislature, "Article III Legislative Department - Section 6," accessed January 25, 2023
    4. ‘’The Office of the Governor,’’ “Proclamation,” accessed April 24, 2020
    5. Idaho Secretary of State, "Elections - 2018 Primary and General Election Calendar," accessed August 7, 2017
    6. Follow the Money: "Idaho Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
    7. Follow the Money, "Idaho 2008 Candidates," accessed July 18, 2013
    8. Follow the Money, "Idaho 2006 Candidates," accessed July 18, 2013
    9. Follow the Money, "Idaho 2004 Candidates," accessed July 18, 2013
    10. Follow the Money, "Idaho 2002 Candidates," accessed July 18, 2013
    11. Follow the Money, "Idaho 2000 Candidates," accessed July 18, 2013
    12. Idaho Legislature, "Idaho Statutes," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statute 59-904A)
    13. All About Redistricting, "Who draws the lines?" accessed March 25, 2015
    14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 All About Redistricting, "Idaho," accessed April 20, 2015
    15. 15.0 15.1 Boise State Public Radio, "Commission for reappointment recasts votes on Idaho’s new political district maps," Nov. 11, 2021
    16. FiveThirtyEight, "The partisan breakdown of Idaho’s new map," accessed Nov. 16, 2021
    17. Boise State Public Radio, "Final iterations of Idaho's districting maps are proposed," Nov. 7, 2021
    18. U.S. Census Bureau, "Idaho Custom tables 2010," accessed March 10, 2011
    19. Teton Valley News, "A sneak peek at the 2015 legislature," January 8, 2015
    20. spokesman.com, "Idaho’s 2014 legislative session underscored by election," January 5, 2014
    21. Idaho Statesman, "Otter facing battles within GOP as Legislature convenes," January 7, 2013
    22. Times News Magic Valley, "See What the Idaho Legislature's Toughest Issues Are This Session," January 9, 2012
    23. Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
    24. Idaho Secretary of State, "The Constitution of the State of Idaho," accessed August 8, 2013
    25. Idaho State Legislature, "Title 67; State Government and State Affairs," accessed August 8, 2013
    26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023