House passes bill banning mask mandates

BOISE — A bill that would prohibit government entities from enforcing mask mandates has passed the Idaho House.

Introduced by bill sponsor Rep. Rob Beiswenger, R-Horseshoe Bend, House Bill 32 aims to keep government officials from issuing mandatory masking ordinances to citizens. There are exceptions for hospitals and prison facilities.

The bill passed in a 52-16 vote on Wednesday, with two members absent.

In debate, Beiswenger emphasized the bill would still allow for people to practice masking if they personally choose to.

“This bill will increase the amount of freedom for Idahoans,” Beiswenger said. “This bill really respects people on both sides.”

Beiswenger referred to committee hearing testimony from Yvonne St. Cyr, saying the bill would protect people like St. Cyr from fines or jail time.

“We heard Yvonne St. Cyr testify, who was just pardoned by President Trump as a January 6-er,” Beiswenger said. “She’s come back to Idaho here and is facing potentially four days in jail for simply not wearing a mask.”

Court records show St. Cyr’s charges in Idaho were criminal trespass in December 2020 related to a Central District Health board meeting protest.

At the federal level, St. Cyr was sentenced in Washington, D.C., on two felonies and four misdemeanors for her participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, according to records from the U.S. Department of Justice. St. Cyr was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump for the incident. Beiswenger said he planned to ask Gov. Brad Little for a pardon for St. Cyr. In Idaho, the only offenses that require a pardon from the governor include murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, kidnapping and lewd conduct with a minor.

Debate on the bill was limited, with some concerns arising about current disease outbreaks in the U.S.

Rep. Rick Cheatum, R-Pocatello, spoke to his concerns that the bill would hamstring future decisions.

“We pass a bill like this, and who knows what we may be facing in the future at a local level,” Cheatum said. “Right now, there’s an outbreak of tuberculosis in the center part of our country, and masks are being recommended to protect those people. Putting a preemption like this in place that doesn’t allow local officials to take action when it may be recommended by a local health department is not the right way to handle a local problem.”

Cheatum was likely referring to an outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas, which has killed two people since January of last year, and where 67 active cases are being treated, the Associated Press reported. The outbreak is among the largest in U.S. history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lawmakers have previously tried to place government bans on mask mandates. A bill with similar language, HB 493, was introduced to the Legislature last year and passed the House, but never made it to the Senate.

HB 32 now heads to the Senate.

Schwicht may be contacted at newsroom@idahopress.com.

How they voted

Yes: Kyle Harris-R, Dale Hawkins-R, Lori McCann-R, Brandon Mitchell-R, Heather Scott-R, Charlie Shepherd-R