Summary — SCR 102 (Idaho): Legislative findings and authorization to study Idaho’s COVID‑19 response
Status
- Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 102 (Sixty‑eighth Idaho Legislature, 2025) — adopted by the Legislature and delivered to the Secretary of State (reported 02/14/2025). Introduced by the State Affairs Committee; floor sponsor: Sen. Daniel D. Foreman.
Purpose / intent
- To document the Legislature’s findings about the state’s experience during the 2020–2022 COVID‑19 pandemic and to authorize the Legislative Council to appoint a legislative committee to investigate Idaho’s governmental response to COVID‑19. The committee is to determine whether constitutional provisions or state law were violated or circumvented and report its findings to the next session.
Key findings stated in the resolution (selected)
- Idaho experienced the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020–2022, with the resolution citing over 500,000 suspected cases and over 5,000 deaths in Idaho.
- The Governor declared a state of emergency (March 2020) and issued orders including a “stay at home” order; the National Guard was activated; certain businesses and houses of worship were ordered closed; and some local governments imposed masks/gathering restrictions.
- The State accelerated vaccine distribution and received federal funds (American Rescue Plan Act).
- Hospitals experienced record emergency‑room demand; crisis standards of care were activated in some instances.
- The resolution asserts (as legislative findings) that some pandemic measures caused economic harm to businesses and individuals and expresses concern about vaccine efficacy and public‑health impacts (as stated by the Legislature).
Key provisions
- Authorizes the Legislative Council to appoint a committee of legislators (Council determines size and house representation).
- Directs the committee to investigate the conduct and overall response of the State of Idaho to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
- Requires the committee to report its findings to the Second Regular Session of the Sixty‑eighth Idaho Legislature, specifically addressing whether the U.S. Constitution, the Idaho Constitution, or state statutes were violated or circumvented resulting in infringement of Idahoans’ constitutional rights.
Who would be affected
- State government entities and officials whose actions during the pandemic may be reviewed (executive branch, state agencies, local governments).
- Institutions cited in findings (hospitals, universities, businesses, places of worship).
- Idaho citizens generally, insofar as the study examines the impact of pandemic measures on rights, health care, and the economy.
- The Legislature: members serving on the appointed committee and the Legislative Council.
Procedural/timeline notes
- SCR is a concurrent resolution: it does not create binding statutory obligations or change law but authorizes a legislative study and reporting.
- The appointed committee must report to the Legislature at its next (Second Regular) session following the study.
- Fiscal note: estimated to have no General Fund impact; the Legislature’s appropriated funds can support the study and the total demand on appropriated funds is not expected to exceed $10,000.
Limitations / implications
- As a concurrent resolution, SCR 102 authorizes inquiry and sets reporting expectations but cannot on its own compel executive action or impose remedies. Any findings of violations would be informational and could prompt later legislative, administrative, or legal actions.
