BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho lawmakers at the capitol are continuing the conversation on the Greater Idaho movement. Testimony was heard on Monday for HJM1, a piece of legislation that was proposed in the House State Affairs Committee.
The legislation is a call to action that allows Idaho lawmakers to begin discussing the movement with Oregon lawmakers.
The plan calls for expanding Idaho to include parts of rural Oregon. So far, 11 Oregon counties have signed a petition for the expansion.
On Monday, several people testified in support of the legislation, including Oregon’s former Republican House Speaker, Mark Simmons. When questioned about how the process would happen, he says it starts with lawmakers from both states coming together.
“The constitution prescribes that the legislators from both states come together,” Simmons said. “Who will negotiate is not prescribed in the constitution, so I would think that whoever you appoint would be the ones who sit down with legislators from Oregon and negotiate this,” he said.
It would then go to the federal government, where congress would decide if the expansion is approved.
Lawmakers say this would not be easy, but the measure did pass the House State Affairs Committee. They have now sent it to the house floor with a do-pass recommendation.
