BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers returned to the Capitol Monday for a special session to address failed legislation that jeopardizes U.S. participation in an international treaty that aims to make it easier for parents worldwide to collect child-support payments.
Critics have given passionate, emotional testimony, reiterating fears that killed the bill last month. They’ve called the legislation an unconstitutional overreach by the federal government that could allow Islamic law to influence U.S. courts.
Supporters, however, are saying Idaho’s rejection would leave families with a burdensome system that makes it difficult — sometimes impossible — for parents to collect payments.
Much of the early debate has centered on about $46 million in federal funds and payment processing systems that include payroll deductions, both of which are tied to the legislation. Idaho would lose access to both if the rejection stands.
Katherine Frazier told lawmakers that such a setup amounts to bribery and cited the Bible in her opposition, saying “fire shall devour the houses of bribes.”
Bob Neugebauer, another opponent, said the bill “is not about child support. It’s about extortion by our federal government trying to engage all of our states of the union to ratify a treaty.”
Idaho’s rejection last month, by one vote on the last day of the legislative session, threatens an effort involving dozens of nations that set out more than a decade ago to improve procedures regarding cross-border child support payments. There are about 150,000 active international child-support cases involving about $600 million annually.
Member nations have been ratifying the treaty since negotiations concluded in 2007. In the U.S., that process involves state-by-state approval.
Experts have declined to speculate on whether the U.S. could find an alternate way to approve the deal if Idaho refuses to reconsider. They say federal funding has always been linked to uniform legislation required of all states and that language in the treaty allows states to reject rulings that don’t uphold American-style standards of legal fairness.
The joint Senate and House Judiciary and Rules Committees passed the bill Monday afternoon, an early step in the legislative process. The bill faces a vote from the full House. If it passes, it would head to the state Senate.
Republican Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has said he’s ready to sign the legislation into law. He drafted a revised version that sought to ease opponents’ concerns ahead of the special session.
House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, a Republican, opposes the bill, but other legislative leaders have said they hope to pass the legislation and adjourn by Monday evening.
Special sessions cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars each day.
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