The Idaho Legislature is now in full swing in Boise.  Last week several important pieces of legislation advanced.  One significant bill I’m co-sponsoring this year will be heard on the Senate floor in the coming weeks – H406.  The legislation finally tackles the growing fentanyl problem in Idaho and is poised to become law this session. 

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that comes in both pharmaceutical and illicit forms.  It is illegally brought into our country primarily through the unsecure border with Mexico by cartel drug dealers.  Much of it is manufactured in China.  The worsening security at the southern border under the Biden Administration has created the deadliest illegal drug crisis the United States has ever seen due to the deadly nature of fentanyl.  Fentanyl is 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine; tiny amounts of the drug can kill.  From 2020 to 2022, the rate of fentanyl-related overdose deaths tripled in Idaho—with approximately 49% of Idaho’s drug overdose deaths caused by fentanyl. H406 will provide severe new criminal punishments for drug dealers who push fentanyl on our streets and provide prosecutors and law enforcement with new tools to put these drug dealers behind bars.  Idaho has learned over the years that these harsh punishments deter many drug dealers from preying on
our families.

  The fentanyl crisis in Idaho also highlights the ongoing problem of illegal immigration.  In addition to H406, this week, I am introducing another piece of legislation calling on the federal government to secure our border, hold illegal immigrants accountable, provide for better immigrant labor laws, and reject any amnesty forgiveness program for those who have broken our immigration laws. 

  There are many other pieces of legislation on the horizon.  If you have any questions or concerns about pending legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  My office number in Boise during the session is
(208) 332-1327.

It is my honor to represent Oneida County in the Idaho State Senate and I want to do a good job for our
community.