Many new laws go into effect in Idaho
Monday, July 2, 2007 12:29 PM PDT
BOISE (AP) — A raft of new laws passed by the Idaho Legislature took effect on Sunday, ranging from a smoking ban in bowling allies to making English the official language of the state to limiting the number of unrelated passengers in vehicles operated by newly licensed drivers under age 17.
As of Sunday, it’s also a misdemeanor to maliciously and willfully disrupt a funeral or memorial service, a law partially aimed at a Kansas group that sends protesters to the funerals of soldiers and has done so in Idaho.
Another new law dealing with drive-by shootings raises the maximum sentence for firing at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle from five years to 15 years.
Minors seeking an abortion must now get parental consent, though similar parental consent laws have been overturned in court.
Annual snowmobiler registration was bumped from $21 to $31, and registration fees for boats up to 12 feet long jumped from $13 to $20.
Boats larger than that are charged $2 for each additional foot.
Sarah Friedman, a 15-year-old planning to start driver’s education in the fall, saw the logic behind restricting the number of unrelated passengers in a vehicle being operated by a newly-minted driver.
‘‘I’ve driven in the car with some friends, and they’re kind of crazy,’’ she told The Spokesman-Review. ‘‘I like that rule. I’m extremely easily distracted.’’
Bowling alley owners were also adjusting to the new laws.
‘‘We are family oriented, so in a way it works out with our theme,’’ Darlene Burke, owner of Burke’s Valley Bowl in Caldwell, told The Associated Press. ‘‘But I do object to the government telling me what I can do.’’
Gov. C.L. ‘‘Butch’’ Otter vetoed the bowling alley smoking ban bill for exactly that reason, but was overridden by both houses.
Burke said she will enforce the law and bowlers at her alley who smoke will now have to go outside or into the lounge.
In all, Idaho lawmakers passed 363 new laws this year, with most of them taking effect Sunday.
Shae wrote on Apr 21, 2009 11:57 AM: