A majority vote of a committee is required for a bill to be printed. After printing, committee members further debate bills, take public comments, and may send them on to the full House and Senate for debate and possible approval. However, Jaquet said she was dismayed that her colleagues would not allow printing of the bill. State law prohibits smoking in indoor public places, both commercial and municipal, except in designated smoking areas. Bars and bowling alleys are exempt.
Proprietors can prohibit smoking from their establishments completely if they wish.
It wasn t the first time such an ordinance has been introduced at the state level. Ten years ago this winter, then Sen. Russ Newcomb, R-Twin Falls, introduced nearly identical legislation, which lost on the Senate floor by a tie vote. Newcomb said he introduced the legislation on behalf of several south-Idaho cities, including Twin Falls. The issue is relevant locally because the Ketchum City Council last February unanimously voted to pursue no-smoking regulations for the city s bars and restaurants. Almost immediately, the proposal ran into a buzz saw of opposition, including resistance from Mayor Guy Coles.