 VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
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REP. STEADMAN
COME ON, MOBY. I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE.
COME TO MAMA. BIG SMILE. GO AHEAD. MAKE MY DAY.
(PHONE RINGS)
HELLO. MIKI STEADMAN.
BONNIE
IS THIS REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN?
FROM LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 40?
REP. STEADMAN
YES. YES, IT IS. HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
BONNIE
MY NAME'S BONNIE BERNARD, AND I AM JUST IN A LATHER
ABOUT THIS WHOLE RETROLUX THING. I'M MEAN...WE CAN
LECTURE AND LECTURE OUR KIDS UNTIL THEY'RE BLUE IN
THE EARS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF HEAD-BANGING MUSIC, BUT
IT TAKES A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS FOR THE PUBLIC TO WAKE
UP AND DO SOMETHING!
REP. STEADMAN
AW, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
BONNIE
I'M GLAD YOU AGREE, REPRESENTATIVE. SO, HOW DO WE PASS
A LAW TO PREVENT KIDS FROM DOING THIS KIND OF THING IN
THE FUTURE?
REP. STEADMAN
UM, MRS.--
BONNIE
-- BERNARD.
REP. STEADMAN
MRS. BERNARD. WELL, I'VE BEEN... IN MEETINGS
ALL WEEKEND. WHAT RETROLUX THING?
BONNIE
IT'S ON ALL THE NEWS CHANNELS! TURN ON YOUR TV.
THE NEWS REPORT IS ON RIGHT NOW.
REP. STEADMAN
HOLD ON. HOLD ON.
TODD
AT 10:45 LAST NIGHT , THE MUSIC CAME TO A
TERRIFYING HALT HERE AT RETROLUX, THE SITE
OF MANY ROCK CONCERTS FOR AREA TEENAGERS.
LAST NIGHT, TWO AREA STUDENTS WERE HOSPITALIZED
AS HUNDREDS OF CONCERTGOERS RUSHED THE STAGE...
NOW PARENTS AND FRIENDS ARE SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS.
TIM
MAN.WE WERE JUST DANCING IN THE PIT, YOU KNOW.
JUST LIKE SLAMMING AROUND EACH OTHER IN THIS
BIG AREA IN FRONT OF THE STAGE. THE MUSIC WAS
ALL PUMPED UP AND THINGS WERE GETTING A LITTLE
OF OUT OF CONTROL. THESE GUYS-JORDAN AND BUTANE-
THEY WERE UP ON TOP OF THE BAND'S SPEAKERS
THINKING THEY'LL DIVE OFF INTO THE DANCING CROWD.
(EXCITED) LIKE TOTAL MTV TIME, YOU KNOW.
ASPEN
WELL, AND THEN LIKE THE GUYS AND THE SPEAKERS
THEY, FELL INTO THE CROWD, AND AT FIRST I'M
LIKE, "CALL 911". AND THEN LIKE MY FRIEND BRIE,
SHE'S ALL LIKE PINNED ON THE FLOOR, AND AND THEN,
AND THEN SHE'S LIKE "HELP ME, ASPEN! HELP ME!"
AND I'M ALL-"BRIE! BRIE!" AND THEN THIS GUY.
HE JUST STARTS RUSHING THROUGH AND THEN HE STEPS
ON BRIE'S HAIR. AND I'M THEN-UPSET TOO BUT I
DON'T RUN AND I CAN'T FIND MY CAMERA, BECAUSE
YOU KNOW. AND THEN THERE'S THIS GUY OVER THERE
AND HE'S LIKE,"OH, MY SHOULDER!" BUT HE'S ALSO
LIKE-GOT A MICROPHONE STAND TOTALLY WRAPPED AROUND
HIS HEAD.
MOKE
YOU KNOW WE HAD THE KIDS, LIKE UP AROUND
DANCIN' AND YOU KNOW LEAPIN' OFF OF THINGS
AND STUFF . IN A VENUE LIKE THAT, YOU'VE
GOT YOUR ELEMENT-OF-RISK FACTOR.
KLEET
IT'S MUSIC, YOU KNOW.
MOKE
I MEAN IT'S TOO BAD ABOUT THOSE KIDS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S TOUGH, BUT YOU CAN'T
CONTROL EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
OH, HEY MATE, HEY, GOOD LUCK IN HOSPITAL.
RATPOWER RULES!
KLEET
OH, BY THE WAY, WE NEED THAT MICROPHONE STAND BACK.
TODD
A NUMBER OF PARENTS HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO DEMAND
SOMETHING BE DONE
BONNIE
AS PARENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE FEEL VERY
STRONGLY THAT ROCK CONCERTS FOR TEENAGERS
MUST BE REGULATED TO ENSURE SAFETY. WHEN
CONCERT PROMOTERS COME INTO TOWN AND LET TOO
MANY ENERGETIC TEENS CRAM ONTO SMALL DANCE
FLOORS AND THEY START HEADBANGING-THE SITUATION
CAN GET REAL DANGEROUS.
SO TOMORROW WE'RE CALLING ON OUR STATE'S SENATORS
AND REPRESENTATIVES TO CREATE A NEW LAW. A LAW
THAT ENDS DANGEROUS MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY REQUIRING
THAT EVERY TICKET BUYER AT EVERY CONCERT IS GIVEN AN
ASSIGNED SEAT. NO MORE OPEN SEATING. REMEMBER:
"OPEN SEATING IS OPEN SEASON ON OUR KIDS."
TODD
AND SO, WITH REMARKABLE SWIFTNESS, IRATE CITIZENS ARE
CALLING FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO ENSURE THIS KIND OF
TRAGEDY NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. I'M TODD BRINKLEY, NEWSPROBE
FIVE.
REP. STEADMAN
SO, YOU'D LIKED ME TO INTRODUCE A BILL AT THE
NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON CONCERT SAFETY?
WELL, I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE DETAILS
WITH YOU... MY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK-
--- IS PRETTY MUCH WIDE OPEN.
ANNOUNCER
THANK YOU TODD FOR THAT REPORT. IN OTHER
NEWS TONIGHT....
ANGIE
CAN THEY DO THAT, JOSH? JUST BECAUSE A
COUPLE OF KIDS GET HURT AT A ROCK CONCERT
THEY CAN OUTLAW DANCING?!
JOSH
THEY DIDN'T SAY THEY WERE OUTLAWING DANCING.
THEY JUST WANT EVERYBODY AT CONCERTS TO HAVE
ASSIGNED SEATS.
ANGIE
COME ON. THINK ABOUT IT, JOSH. THE FUNNEST
PART OF A ROCK CONCERT IS GOING DOWN AND DANCING
IN THE MOSH PIT, SCREAMING, HAVING A GOOD TIME,
SCREAMING AT THE LEAD GUITARIST TO COME DIVE INTO
THE CROWD.
JOSH
ANGIE.
ANGIE
THINK ABOUT IT. HOW FUN CAN A ROCK CONCERT
BE IF YOU HAVE TO SIT IN A SEAT THE WHOLE TIME?
JOSH
REMEMBER THE LAST TIME WE WENT TO RETROLUX?
SOME GUY TORE YOUR SUEDE JACKET JUMPING AROUND, AND
I JUST ABOUT LOST A TOOTH. THOSE CONCERTS GET DANGEROUS.
ANGIE
YEAH, SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I FEEL
SORRY FOR JORDAN AND BUTANE, I HOPE THEY'RE
OKAY... BUT THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN ANTI-DANCING
LAW TO ME. THINK ABOUT IT. RENT "FOOTLOOSE".
IT CAN HAPPEN.
JOSH
PERSONALLY, I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE
CONCERTS LESS DANGEROUS. AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T GO TOO
FAR.
ANGIE
YOU KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO?
JOSH
WHAT?
ANGIE
GET INVOLVED, JUST LIKE OUR GOVERNMENT
TEACHER IS ALWAYS TELLING US. FIND OUT HOW
THOSE PARENTS DID IT. CALL OUR LEGISLATOR.
FIND OUT HOW THIS LAW IS BEING PUT TOGETHER.
PUT OUR TWO CENTS IN SO WE CAN PROTECT OUR
RIGHTS. RIGHT?
JOSH
RIGHT!
WHY AREN'T WE GOING TO THE CAPITOL BUILDING? ISN'T
THAT WHERE SHE WORKS?
ANGIE
REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN TOLD US 1212 JEFFERSON STREET.
THIS IS JEFFERSON. THERE IT IS. MIKI'S OUTDOOR SUPPLY.
JOSH
MIKI? OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IS NAMED MIKI?
ANGIE
JUST SAY REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN.
JOSH
(amused) MIKI.
REP. STEADMAN
ANGIE? JOSH?
ANGIE
YOU'RE REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN?
REP. STEADMAN
YES I AM. HI. WHAT, YOU LOOKED SURPRISED.
ANGIE
WE WERE EXPECTING TO FIND YOU IN A BIG LAW OFFICE
OR SOMETHING. OR MAYBE IN WASHINGTON D.C.
REP. STEADMAN
NOPE. THIS IS MY OFFICE. BEING A STATE REPRESENTATIVE IS JUST PART TIME. MOST OF THE YEAR WE HAVE
REGULAR JOBS.
JOSH
(examining fishing pole) COOL. A LEGISLATOR WHO
SELLS TACKLE.
REP. STEADMAN
THAT'S RIGHT. YOU KNOW IN OUR LEGISLATURE WE
HAVE FARMERS, AND HOME MAKERS, BUSINESS OWNERS,
TEACHERS, RETIREES... JUST REGULAR FOLKS.
ANGIE
REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN, THE RESERVED SEATING BILL
THOSE PARENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT REALLY WORRIES US.
IT'S TARGETED AT KEEPING KIDS FROM HAVING A GOOD TIME
AT CONCERTS.
REP. STEADMAN
WELL, IT'S TARGETED AT KEEPING CONCERTS SAFE.
JOSH
THAT'S FINE. WE'RE NOT ARGUING WITH SAFETY; WE JUST
WANT THE BILL TO BE FAIR.
REP. STEADMAN
WELL, I'D LOVE TO HAVE YOUR INPUT. YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT
ROCK CONCERTS THAN I DO. WELL, THE LAST CONCERT I WENT
TO WAS FRITZ GUGGENHEIM'S POLKA WIZARDS.
ANGIE
SOUNDS WILD.
REP. STEADMAN
(in fond reflection) YES, I MET MY HUSBAND AT THE
SCHNITZEL STAND...
HEY, I'M MEETING WITH SOME PEOPLE TOMORROW AT THE
CAPITOL BUILDING TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. SINCE
YOU'RE SO CONCERNED ABOUT IT, WHY DON'T YOU JOIN US?
ANGIE
SURE.
JOSH
THAT'D BE GREAT.
REP. STEADMAN
WE COULD MEET AT THE CAPITOL STEPS AND GO IN TOGETHER?
ANGIE, JOSH
OKAY.
REP. STEADMAN
ANGIE, JOSH! HEY, I'M SO GLAD YOU MADE IT.
WELL, THIS IS WHERE I DO MY SECOND JOB. YOU KNOW,
I, EVERY TIME I COME HERE, I CAN'T BELIEVE I
GET TO WORK HERE.
ANGIE
WE WERE HERE ON A FIELD TRIP ONCE.
REP. STEADMAN
YES BUT NOW YOU'RE NO LONGER A VISITOR. YOU'RE
PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. WELL, LET'S
GET GOING.
ANGIE
WOW! SO THIS IS WHERE EVERYONE WORKS?
REP. STEADMAN
NO THIS IS THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. EACH
REPRESENTATIVE HAS A DESK AND A MICROPHONE.
AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO RUNS THE PROCEEDINGS
IS CALLED THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. AND THEY
SITS UP FRONT.
JOSH
SO WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
REP. STEADMAN
THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS HERE IN BOISE
FOR THREE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR TO DEBATE AND
VOTE ON LEGISLATION - FROM-JANUARY TO MID-MARCH
OR SOMETIMES APRIL, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT
TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. BUT EVERY REPRESENTATIVE
IS AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND TO ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED
IN LEGISLATION.
JOSH
LIKE WHO?
REP. STEADMAN
LIKE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THEIR DISTRICTS, PEOPLE
THEY REPRESENT, PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
ANGIE
SO ONCE A BILL IS DRAFTED, IT COMES HERE FOR A VOTE?
REP. STEADMAN
WELL, NOT QUITE YET. WHEN A BILL IS FIRST
INTRODUCED, IT HAS TO BE ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE TOSSES THE IDEA AROUND, LISTENS TO
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT, AND THEN DECIDES
IF IT'S WORTH COMING DOWN HERE TO THE FLOOR FOR
A VOTE.
JOSH
WHO'S ON THE COMMITTEE?
REP. STEADMAN
WELL, EACH REPRESENTATIVE IS ASSIGNED AT LEAST
ONE COMMITTEE. THERE ARE SO MANY COMMITTEES.
THERE'S THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE, THAT DEALS WITH BUDGET ISSUES. THERE'S
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, THE HEALTH
AND WELFARE COMMITTEE.
JOSH
WHICH COMMITTEE WILL OUR BILL BE ASSIGNED TO?
REP. STEADMAN
WELL, I'LL RECOMMEND TO THE SPEAKER THAT THIS BILL GO TO THE
HOUSE JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE.
ANGIE
WHY THAT ONE?
REP. STEADMAN
THE CHAIRPERSON OF THAT COMMITTEE IS THE MOST
POWERFUL, THOUGHTFUL, ASTUTE LEGAL MIND IN
THE STATEHOUSE.
ANGIE
REALLY? WHO?
REP. STEADMAN
ME! COME ON. LET'S GO OVER TO THE SENATE SIDE.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHO IS ALSO KNOW AS THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, RUNS THE PROCEEDINGS ON
THIS SIDE OF THE ROTUNDA.
SEN. VANDERBEE
REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN! REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN!
REP. STEADMAN
HELLO, VAUGHN. WHAT THE RUSH?
SEN. VANDERBEE
SOME PEOPLE I REPRESENT TOLD ME YOU'RE SPONSORING
THIS REQUIRED SEATING BILL IN THE HOUSE.
REP. STEADMAN
YES I AM. IN FACT, MY FRIENDS HERE JOSH
AND ANGIE ARE HELPING ME PUT THE BILL TOGETHER.
THIS IS SENATOR VAUGHN VANDERBEE. THE MOST
POWERFUL, THOUGHTFUL, ASTUTE LEGAL MIND IN THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE ROTUNDA.
SEN. VANDERBEE
THANKS. LISTEN, GUYS, I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA
OF REQUIRED SEATING, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU WITH
YOUR BILL IN THE SENATE.
JOSH
YEAH, BUT OUR BILL IS BEING INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE.
SEN. VANDERBEE
SURE. BUT A BILL NEEDS TO BE DEBATED AND PASSED
BY BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO BECOME A LAW.
I'LL BE YOUR STRONG VOICE OF SUPPORT IN THE SENATE.
ANGIE
IF WE COULD WORK ON A COMPROMISE...
SEN. VANDERBEE
WELL, MIKI STEADMAN HAS BEEN A REAL HELP TO ME
ON PAST LEGISLATION; AND IF MY ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE
BELIEVES IN YOU, SO DO I!
OH, BY THE WAY, I'VE GOT A BILL ON FISH AND
GAME LICENSING THAT'LL JUST KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF.
REP. STEADMAN
CALL ME.
SEN. VANDERBEE
WE'LL DO LUNCH.
JOSH
SOUNDS LIKE HOLLYWOOD. HEY, WHERE'D YA GO?
HERE YOU ARE.
ANGIE
THESE ARE LEGISLATORS FROM THE OLDEN DAYS?
REP. STEADMAN
YES. THE OLDEN DAYS.
JOSH
GEE I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS AROUND FOR SO LONG.
REP. STEADMAN
THERE IS SO MUCH HISTORY AROUND HERE. HEY,
WAIT, I'VE GOT AN IDEA. COME ON.
EXCUSE ME, MRS. PAGE...
MRS. PAGE
HELLO, REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN.
REP. STEADMAN
GOOD MORNING. I AM GIVING A TOUR OF THE CAPITOL
BUILDING TO A COUPLE FRIENDS OF MINE. THIS IS
ANGIE AND JOSH.
MRS. PAGE
HELLO, ANGIE, JOSH.
REP. STEADMAN
THIS IS MRS. PAGE SHE HAS BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.
AND SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF
IDAHO'S LEGISLATURE.
MRS. PAGE
YEA, JUST LET ME BLOW THE COB WEBS OFF OF ME HERE.
(jokingly)
BUT YOU KNOW, THIS PLACE IS FULL OF STORIES.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A VIDEO ON HOW WE BEGAN?
ANGIE
SURE.
MRS. PAGE
NOW, BE SURE TO TAKE LOTS OF NOTES. THERE'S GOING TO BE A
GNARLY QUIZ AT THE END OF THIS.
JOSH
BUT, WE--.
MRS. PAGE
I'M JUST JOKING.
NARRATOR
THE FIRST CAPITAL OF IDAHO, WHEN IT WAS JUST A
TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES, WAS IN LEWISTON
LAWMAKERS HAD TO MEET IN THIS TINY BUILDING!
TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR CALEB LYON FELT THAT THE
CAPITAL SHOULD BE MOVED TO BOISE, SINCE MORE
PEOPLE LIVED THERE.
SO IN 1865, BOISE BECAME THE CAPITAL OF THE IDAHO
TERRITORY AND THE THIRD TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE MET THERE.
25 YEARS LATER, IN 1890, IDAHO BECAME A STATE.
THE FIRST STATE LEGISLATURE HAD 54 MEMBERS INCLUDING
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POPULIST AND FUSION PARTIES
IN ADDITION TO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.
IN 1898, THE FIRST THREE WOMEN WERE ELECTED
TO THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE.
THEY HAD RECEIVED THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN IDAHO
ONLY TWO YEARS EARLIER.
IT WOULD BE ALMOST 20 YEARS BEFORE WOMEN IN THE
REST OF THE COUNTRY COULD VOTE.
CONSTRUCTION ON THE STATE CAPITOL STARTED IN 1905
AND WASN'T FINISHED UNTIL 1920.
IN THOSE DAYS, THE BUILDING COST TWO POINT ONE
MILLION DOLLARS.
AT TODAY'S PRICES, THAT COULD BE AS MUCH AS 75
MILLION DOLLARS!
PRISONERS CUT THE SANDSTONE FOR THE OUTSIDE OF
THE BUILDING AT TABLEROCK HILL NEAR BOISE.
FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF MARBLE WERE USED ON THE
INSIDE OF THE STATEHOUSE.
BUT LOOK CLOSELY-- THE PILLARS AREN'T ACTUALLY MARBLE.
THEY'RE A MIXTURE OF GYPSUM, MARBLE DUST AND GRANITE
DYED TO LOOK LIKE MARBLE.
JUST AS UNIQUE, OUR STATEHOUSE IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE
COUNTRY TO BE HEATED WITH GEOTHERMAL WATER FROM UNDERGROUND.
THAT KEEPS THE 35 SENATORS AND 70 REPRESENTATIVES NICE
AND WARM DURING THE SESSION.
JOSH
THANKS, MRS. PAGE. THAT WAS REALLY NEAT.
MRS. PAGE
IF YOU LIKED THAT, I HAVE A FIVE-PART SERIES ON
BUTTER CHURNING. WHERE IS IT?
ANGIE
ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A MEETING WE HAVE TO GO,
RIGHT REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN?
REP. STEADMAN
THAT'S RIGHT! WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF VERY
CONCERNED PEOPLE WAITING UPSTAIRS. NOW
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HOW GOVERNMENT REALLY
WORKS.
THANKS MRS. PAGE.
ANGIE
THANKS. NICE TO MEET YOU.
REP. STEADMAN
ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! NOW, WE ALL WANT
TO MAKE CONCERTS SAFER, RIGHT? BUT LEGISLATION
TAKES COMPROMISE . GIVE AND TAKE. NOW BONNIE,
YOU'RE HERE TO REPRESENT THE CONCERNED PARENTS
GROUP. DALE IS HERE TO LOBBY FOR THE CONCERT
HALL OWNERS. ANGIE AND JOSH ARE HERE AS CONCERNED
YOUNG PEOPLE. LET'S PUT TOGETHER A BILL WE
CAN ALL SUPPORT. OK NOW WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT....
BONNIE
LOOK, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE REQUIRED SEATING.
ANGIE
WELL WHAT ABOUT THE FOLK SINGER AT THE
COFFEE SHOP? IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.
BONNIE
WELL... I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.
JOSH
WE COULD PUT A LIMIT ON THE SIZE OF AUDIENCE
THAT THE LAW COVERS.
DALE
GOOD, JOSH. LIKE CONCERTS THAT SEAT MORE
THAN... UH... 50 PEOPLE.
JOSH
FIFTY?! I COULD FIT FIFTY PEOPLE IN MY
FAMILY ROOM!
DALE
WELL, YOU GOT A BETTER IDEA?
BONNIE
IT'S ABOUT TEENAGERS. WHY CAN'T THE BILL
JUST SAY "TEEN AGE ROCK CONCERTS"?
REP. STEADMAN
BECAUSE THE LAW CAN'T SINGLE OUT ONE AGE GROUP OR ONE
TYPE OF MUSIC.
JOSH
WHAT ABOUT POLKA BANDS.
REP. STEADMAN
DON'T MESS WITH POLKA! YOU HEAR ME?! DON'T
MESS WITH POLKA!
(tick tock tick tock. )
ANGIE
OKAY, SO WE'RE DEALING WITH INDOOR, AND OVER
TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE. YOU KNOW, I WAS REALLY
WORRIED ABOUT THIS BILL, BUT I THINK WE'VE
COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT MIGHT WORK.
BONNIE
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
ANGIE
RIGHT.
REP STEADMAN
WELL, FOLKS, I THINK WE HAVE COME UP WITH
A STRONG COMPROMISE BILL. GOOD JOB EVERYBODY...
I'M AFRAID THIS IS THE EASY PART THOUGH. THE
REAL TEST IS GOING TO BE WHEN I INTRODUCE THIS
BILL TO THE LEGISLATURE IN JANUARY.
TODD
I'M TODD BRINKLEY IN FRONT OF THE IDAHO STATEHOUSE
WHERE THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS UNDERWAY.
ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT BILLS IS HOUSE BILL
261, WHICH REQUIRES RESERVED SEATING FOR INDOOR
CONCERTS WITH MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE. THE
BILL FIRST WENT TO THE JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE
WHERE CITIZENS TESTIFIED FOR AND AGAINST THE MEASURE.
DUSTY COBURN
EVERY YEAR WE BRING TWO TO THREE THOUSAND FOLKS
DOWN TO THE DAIRY EXPO CENTER. FIRST THING IS,
WE DON'T HAVE 2000 CHAIRS. AND THE SECOND THING
IS THAT THEY'RE GONNA DANCE WHETHER I WANT THEM
TO OR NOT. NOW THE QUESTION IS ARE YOU GOING TO
SHUT ME DOWN BECAUSE OF THAT?
BUTANE
I DID A DIVE AT THE RETROLUX CONCERT LAST FALL AND
I'M STILL NOT THE SAME. I GOT A METAL PLATE IN MY
HEAD THAT PICKS UP HBO. PLEASE, VOTE FOR THIS BILL.
IT'S THE BEST WAY TO HAVE SAFE CONCERTS. SAFE CONCERTS.
SAFE CONCERTS.
DALE
I HELPED DRAFT THIS BILL BUT I'VE BEEN HAVING SECOND
THOUGHTS. SPEAKING FOR THE CONCERT HALL OWNERS, THEY
WORK WITH PROMOTERS WHO DEAL WITH VARIOUS DIFFERENT
ACTS FROM HARD ROCK TO POLKA. NOW IF THE PROMOTERS
DON'T LIKE RESERVED SEATING BECAUSE IT RAISES THEIR
COSTS, MY CLIENTS LOSE THEIR BUSINESS. THAT MEANS NO
MORE HARD ROCK. NO MORE POLKA.
ASPEN
HOUSE BILL 261 IS LIKE, TAKES AWAY MY RIGHT TO ROCK.
I MEAN, IF PEOPLE CAN' TAKE THE WILDNESS DOWN IN THE
PIT THEN, THEY SHOULD LIKE GET SEATS IN THE BLEACHER
OR LIKE DON'T GO. BUT DON'T LEGISLATE MY GOOD TIME.
ANGIE
THIS LAW DOES NOT RESTRICT OUR RIGHTS TO DANCE IN CLUBS
OR SMALLER CONCERTS. THAT IS A MISCONCEPTION. PEOPLE
NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT. THE BILL IS ADDRESSING LARGER
CROWDS AND RUSHING FOR SEATS.
TODD
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DEBATE. THE COMMITTEE
FINALLY TOOK A VOTE.
REP. STEADMAN
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
COMMITTEE
AYE.
REP. STEADMAN
ALL THOSE OPPOSED?
COMMITTEE
NO.
REP. STEADMAN
THE AYES HAVE IT. HOUSE BILL 261
WILL GO TO THE FLOOR WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
TODD
THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR DEBATE
BY THE ENTIRE BODY. OBSERVERS PREDICT THE VOTE
WILL BE CLOSE.
I'M TODD BRINKLEY, NEWSPROBE FIVE.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
THE HOUSE WILL NOW CONSIDER HOUSE BILL 261. THE
SPONSOR MAY OPEN DEBATE. REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN?
REP. STEADMAN
MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.
THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE RESERVED SEATING FOR
INDOOR CONCERTS OF MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE.
WE'VE EXEMPTED SCHOOL FUNCTIONS AND CONCERTS FOR
RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND, OF COURSE, OUTDOOR CONCERTS.
BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING NOW ABOUT THIS RISING
PROBLEM OF INJURIES AT GENERAL SEATING CONCERTS.
I HOPE YOU GIVE THIS BILL YOUR GREEN LIGHT.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
IS THERE FURTHER DEBATE?
REPRESENTATIVE BRUNEEL.
REPRESENTATIVE BRUNEEL
MR. SPEAKER, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE.
HOUSE BILL 261 IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF WHERE
THERE'S BEEN A TRAGEDY THAT'S OCCURRED IN SOCIETY
AND SOMEONE HAS SAID, "THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW."
I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT THIS AS WHETHER IT IS A BURDEN
ON SOCIETY, WHETHER IT REALLY ACCOMPLISHES ANYTHING AND
EVALUATE THE IMPACT THIS CAN HAVE ON BUSINESS.
BUSINESS IS CAPABLE OF POLICING ITSELF BECAUSE OF OUR
LIABILITY LAWS AND DOES NOT NEED THIS ENCROACHMENT THAT
WILL BE AN ADDED BURDEN.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
IS THERE FURTHER DEBATE?
REPRESENTATIVE FIELD.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELD
MR. SPEAKER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE.
THE HEADLINES OF THIS NEWSPAPER ARTICLE IS WHAT
THIS BILL IS ALL ABOUT. IN MAY, SEVERAL CHILDREN,
ELEVEN WERE TRAMPLED WHILE ATTENDING A LOCAL CONCERT.
PARAMEDICS, AMBULANCES RESPONDED AND SEVERAL WERE
TREATED LOCALLY FOR LACERATIONS. THIS BILL DOES
NOT REGULATE WHICH BANDS CAN COME TO A CONCERT.
IT DOESN'T REGULATE FUN AT CONCERTS. THIS BILL
PUTS SAFETY ABOVE ANY OTHER CONCERN.
TODD
I'M NOW LIVE INSIDE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WITH TWO OF THE CHIEF PROPONENTS OF THE RESERVED
SEATING BILL AS MEMBERS DEBATE THAT BILL. ANGIE
AND JOSH, YOU MUST BE NERVOUS.
ANGIE & JOSH
Angie: YES. (overlap) Josh: NO.
Angie: I MEAN, NO.
Josh: I MEAN, YES
ANGIE
WELL, WE KNOW A LOT HAS TO GO INTO A BILL
BEFORE IT BECOMES LAW.
TODD
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
ANGIE
WELL, LET'S SAY IT PASSES THE HOUSE.
THE BATTLE STILL ISN'T OVER. IT HAS TO GO
TO THE SENATE SIDE, AND THEN IT GOES THROUGH
THE EXACT SAME PROCESS ON THE SENATE SIDE OF
THE BUILDING
JOSH
SO THAT MEANS THE BILL IS ASSIGNED BY THE PRO TEM
OF THE SENATE TO A COMMITTEE.
THE SENATE COMMITTEE GETS MORE PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT
RESERVED SEATING-
ANGIE
AND THEN THE COMMITTEE VOTES WHETHER IT GOES
TO THE SENATE OR NOT. IF IT VOTES NO, THEN
THE BILL IS DEAD EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSE PASSED
IT.
IF IT VOTES YES, IT GOES TO THE SENATE FOR
FULL DEBATE.
TODD
AND IF THE SENATE APPROVES IT, YOU'VE
GOT YOURSELF A LAW.
JOSH
NOT QUITE. EVEN IF A BILL IS APPROVED BY BOTH
THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, IT STILL HAS TO GO TO
THE GOVERNOR AND GET THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE
TO BECOME LAW.
TODD
THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE. HOW EXCITING.
JOSH
BUT SOMETIMES THE GOVERNOR CAN PREVENT IT
FROM BECOMING A LAW BY VETOING IT.
ANGIE
BUT THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE CAN OVERRIDE
THE VETO WITH A 2/3RDS MAJORITY VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THE BILL.
BUT IT'S OUR HOPE HOUSE AND THE SENATE APPROVE
THE BILL, SEND IT TO THE GOVERNOR, AND GETS
ITS SIGNATURE.
JOSH
BUT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE BILL IS GOING
TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE HOUSE YET.
TODD
WELL, GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH! FOR NEWSPROBE
FIVE, I'M TODD BRINKLEY. BACK TO THE STUDIO.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
IS THERE FURTHER DEBATE? HEARING NONE, DOES
THE LADY CARE TO CLOSE DEBATE?
REPRESENTATIVE STEADMAN?
REP. STEADMAN
MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, I APPRECIATE
YOUR THOUGHTFUL DEBATE ON THIS BILL. THERE IS
NEVER A PERFECT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BUT THE
PARTIES INVOLVED, I BELIEVE, HAVE CREATED A
STRONG COMPROMISE...ONE WHICH WILL ENSURE SAFETY
WITHOUT BURDENING THE FREE ENTERPRISE PROCESS.
THIS IS A GOOD BILL AND SHOULD PASS.
MR. SPEAKER, DEBATE IS NOW CLOSED.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
THE QUESTION IS SHALL HOUSE BILL 261 PASS?
THE CLERK WILL UNLOCK THE MACHINE AND THE
MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES.
(BELL Rings)
REP. STEADMAN
AH, THIS IS THE LIFE.
YEA! MOBY DICK. I KNEW YOU WOULDN'T FORGET ME...
(PHONE RINGS)
