Legislative Department.—The legislative or law-making power of the State is vested in a Legislature which is composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The sessions of the two houses are open to the public and each house keeps a journal of its proceedings in which is recorded the yea and nay votes on any question at the request of any three members.
Qualifications of Members.—The qualifications of a senator or representative in the State of Idaho are the same. He must be a citizen of the United States, an elector of the State, and he must have been an elector for at least one year next preceding his election in the county from which he is chosen.
Sessions.—The Legislature meets biennially at the State Capital, commencing on the first Monday after the first day of January in the odd years. Special sessions of the Legislature may be called by the Governor when he deems it necessary. No special session shall continue for more than twenty days.
The compensation of our legislators is five dollars per day, with an allowance of ten cents per mile going to and returning from the place of meeting.
Privileges.—Members of the State Legislature are not liable to any civil process during the session of the Legislature nor during the ten days next preceding the same. They are privileged from arrest during the same time in all cases except treason, felony, or breach of the peace. They cannot be legally called to account for anything said in debate during the session of the Legislature.
Senate.—According to the State Constitution the membership of the Senate is limited to twenty-four members. Each county is a senatorial district.
The term of office is two years and begins on the first day of December following the election. The Senate adopts its own rules of government and elects its own officers, with the exception of its president, who is the Lieutenant-Governor ex-officio. In case the Lieutenant-Governor assumes the duties of Governor, the Senate elects its presiding officer. All State officers appointed by the Governor are subject to the approval of the Senate. If the Senate is not in session when the appointment is made, such person shall discharge the duties of the office until the next session of the Senate. In the case of impeachment of State officers the Senate is the court. A majority of the senators is a quorum for the trial of impeachment, and a two-thirds vote is necessary for conviction. In case of conviction the penalty does not extend further than removal from office, but such person may be tried in the civil courts as other lawbreakers.
House of Representatives.—The House of Representatives is a more numerous body than the Senate. The members are elected for the same time and for the same term as the senators. The House of Representatives has power to choose all its officers. The special powers exercised by the House of Representatives are: originating bills for raising revenue and making appropriations, and in impeaching State officers.
Executive Department.—After the laws are made it becomes necessary to designate some one to see that they are enforced. The legislators make the laws, and it remains for the officers in the Executive Department to see that the laws are enforced.
The Executive Department consists of a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction, all of whom hold their offices for two years, beginning on the first Monday in January next after their election.