The bill pushed by the students would have officially declared the Idaho Giant Salamander as the state amphibian.  The salamander is native to Idaho and the only animal that has “Idaho” in its name.  It typically is found only in central Idaho and a small corner of Montana and can reach a maximum of 12 inches in length.  They usually inhabit cold, clear lakes, ponds, and streams and adults have been known to feed on small mice, shrews, or snakes.

The effort began when a former teacher at the school decided to give students an interesting and unique lesson in civics and government.  The teacher, along with former students, worked to create a piece of legislation that would make it all the way through the Idaho Legislature.  That teacher recently left the school to move to Washington, D.C., but the bill lived on with students.

If the bill had passed, a listing for a state amphibian would have joined the state flower (syringa), fruit (wild huckleberry), gem (star garnet), and even a state dance (square dance) on the list of state-recognized cultural symbols.

One of the two teachers still at the school who helped student push the bill, Sharon Matthews, said, via a wall posting on IdahoReporter.com, that the project of pushing the bill is helping the students to understand their role in society and government.  Matthews added that she believes that students have both a responsibility and a right to learn how legislation is enacted.

Matthews also took time to argue against those who call the bill a waste of time, saying the “bill does not cost taxpayers anything, and cannot be considered frivolous.”  She added that the “benefits of students engaging in government processes are priceless and should be encouraged.”

Students saw it similarly.  Grace, a student in the class, said that she wanted the bill, which never received a hearing in State Affairs Committee in the House, to go farther “so we could’ve learned more about the how bills work.”

Still, some are disappointed in how things ended up.  ”I’m disappointed because people thought it was useless,” said Grace.   “I think we wasted a lot of time,” said Jenna.

Not all was a loss, however.  When asked what they learned about the political process during the adventure, students responded with some truths about the workings of any legislature.

“I learned that you can’t just come up with anything and have it passed,” said Emma.  ”A lot of people have to agree that it is good.”

“We could really make a difference with a lot of support,” said Katie.

A few students even learned about the relevance and application of government during the process.  ”I learned that government is actually useful, even though sometimes we don’t think it is,” said Ellie.

So will the salamander bill be back next year?  Students say yes.  How will next year’s efforts to pass the bill be different than those put forth by students this year, which included a visit to the Capitol building wearing pro-salamander shirts?

“We should probably get more support,” said Emma.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, said that unless there is “widespread support” among school kids from across the state, the issue is likely dead.  Though the quest to get the bill through the Legislature failed, Jarvis believes the effort wasn’t a total worthless.

I think the kids learned a lot,” said Jarvis. “It allowed kids to see what happens and become involved in government.”

Wait, what?

Yes, you read that right.  Students from the school advocated for their bill, sponsored by Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, to be passed by lawmakers.  Some students even made their own t-shirts to show their support of the bill.

The bill being pushed by Jarvis and the students would officially declare the Idaho Giant Salamander as the state amphibian.  The salamander is native to Idaho and the only animal that has “Idaho” in its name.  It typically is found only in central Idaho and small corner of Montana and can reach a maximum of 12 inches in length.  They usually inhabit cold, clear lakes, ponds, and streams and adults have been known to feed on small mice, shrews, or snakes.

Should the bill be passed, a listing for a state amphibian would join the state flower (syringa), fruit (wild huckleberry), gem (star garnet), and even a state dance (square dance) on the list of state-recognized cultural items.

The students’ teacher, Sharon Matthews, said, via a wall posting on IdahoReporter.com, that the project of pushing the bill is helping the students to understand their role in society and government.  Matthews added that she believes that students have both a responsibility and a right to learn how legislation is enacted.

Matthews also took time to argue against those who call the bill a waste of time, saying the “bill does not cost taxpayers anything, and cannot be considered frivolous.”  She added that the “benefits of students engaging in government processes are priceless and should be encouraged.”

In an interview with IdahoReporter.com, Jarvis shrugged off accusations of frivolity.  When confronted by other lawmakers about losing so-called “political capital,” Jarvis responded, “I’m not too worried about that.”

Emma, a student in the class, said the class picked the salamander because “it is native to Idaho and it would get a lot of support.”  She added that she and her classmates want the salamander to become more well-known around the state and the designation would aid in that process.

As for her own political ambitions, Emma said that she would “probably not” run for office someday “because it sounds like a lot of talking and I’m an active person.”

The bill, designated as House Bill 389, is awaiting a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Read IdahoReporter.com’s first story on the Idaho Giant Salamander bill here.

Classes from the Christian Calvary School in Boise appealed to several legislators asking for the designation.  Jarvis  agreed to sponsor the bill.  The bill has been introduced into the House and will be heard before the House Ways and Means Committee, which makes Jarvis believe the death of the legislation is imminent.

“They look at it as a frivolous bill,” said Jarvis “Unless there’s some up swell of activity…there has to be that kind of activity for the House to take time and do that.”

The Idaho Giant Salamander can reach a maximum length of 12 inches and are found only in central Idaho and a small corner of Montana.  They typically inhabit cold, clear lakes, ponds, and streams and adults have been known to feed on small mice, shrews, or snakes.

Several states have official state amphibians, including Washington, New Mexico, and Arizona in the western United States.  As far as salamanders for on the list, the Idaho Giant would join the Spotted, of South Carolina, and the Barred Tiger, of Kansas varieties on the list, among others.  The list also includes several different frog varieties and a newt from New Hampshire.

To the best of Jarvis’ knowledge, this is the first attempt from a state legislator to add a state amphibian to the list of officially recognized Idaho trademarks.  Should the legislation pass, it would have no impact on the state general fund.  Though it would be recognized by the state, the Idaho Giant Salamander would be given no environmental protections as a result of the legislation.   The only change enacted by legislation would be to add the salamander to the Idaho Blue Book, which is published by the secretary of state and lists statistical and historical facts about Idaho. And though it doesn’t currently have a listing for amphibians, the state does officially recognize a state flower (syringa), fruit (wild huckleberry), gem (star garnet), and even a state dance (square dance).

So why did Jarvis agree to sponsor the bill?

“Myself, I think it’s really cool,” said Jarvis. “Because it’s… indigenous to Idaho and it’s a giant!”

He acknowledged, during his interview with IdahoReporter.com, that other legislators are not as fond of the proposal as he is and disclosed that other legislators informed him he will lose “political capital” for pushing the measure forward.  “I’m not too worried about that,” laughed  Jarvis.

The committee has yet to set a hearing date for the proposal.