Christy Zito

Christy Zito is a Republican Idaho State Representative since 2016 representing District 23 in seat A.[1] Zito announced her candidacy for State Senate in District 23 in the 2020 election.[2]

Representative

Christine Zito
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
from District 23 Seat A
Assumed office
December 1, 2016
Preceded byRich Wills
Personal details
BornUtah
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Children5
ResidenceHammett, Idaho
Alma materBridgerland Vocational Center farm and ranch management
ProfessionHomemaker

Gun Rights legislation

Zito is a self-described gun rights activist, having a hand in several bills on the subject of firearms and litigation involving citizens rights concerning them.

House Bill 444 (2018)

In 2018, Zito co-authored House Bill 444 [3] which intended to shift the focus of deadly force litigation and prosecution. The bill did not receive a full hearing.

House Bill 206 (2019)

In 2019, Zito authored House Bill 206 [4] which changed Idaho Code to allow for nonresident adults between ages 18–21 to conceal carry without a permit.[5] Despite resistance in both the Idaho House and the Idaho Senate, House Bill 206 passed in the House 53 Ayes to 14 Nays, passed in the Idaho Senate 28 Ayes to 7 Nays, and was signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2019.

Time Zone legislation

Zito also sponsored, and was responsible for, ill-fated legislation that if passed would have exempted Idaho from Daylight Saving Time. Subsequently after clearing the lower Idaho House State Affairs Committee, and after requisite debate on the matter, the bill failed with only 15 Yea votes to 55 Nay votes. After the failure, Idaho House Speaker Scott Bedke commented, “Where’s the crow?”, referring to an informal award "won" by the most recent Idaho State Representative sponsoring legislation that receives less than 20 votes in the Idaho House.[6]

Anti-Transgender Legislation

Zito is the sponsor of HB465[7] which was introduced on February 10, 2020. The measure, as drafted, criminalizes the gender-affirming care model for minors. Prohibited practices include any surgical intervention as well as the administration of puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones. If enacted, health care workers who violate the law would be felons who could be imprisoned for "a term not more than life."

HB465 directly contradicts the clinical practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics[8] and the Pediatric Endocrine Society[9]. According to the Endocrine Society: "There is a durable biological underpinning to gender identity that should be considered in policy determinations."[10]

Criticism of Child Marriage Bill opposition

Zito received scattered criticism for opposing a bill (House Bill 98 in 2019) intended to end "child marriage for those under age in Idaho".[11][12] Zito would later be quoted as linking the issue to abortion.[13]

References
  1. "Rep. Christy Zito". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Legislature. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  2. "Press Release: Rep. Christy Zito Announces Candidacy for Idaho State Senate, District 23". christyzito.com. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  3. "HOUSE BILL 444". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Legislature. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  4. "HOUSE BILL 206". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Legislature. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  5. "Idaho House votes to lower age to carry a concealed handgun in cities without a permit". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Statesman. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  6. "Daylight saving bill dies on the House floor". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Press. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  7. "Idaho HB 465" (PDF). Idaho State Legislature. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. "Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents". Pediatrics - The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  9. "Statement Against Public Discourse that Risks the Well-being of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth and their Families" (PDF). Pediatric Endocrine Society. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  10. "Transgender Health". Endocrine Society. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. "This bill would have ended child marriage for those under age in Idaho. The House voted it down". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Statesman. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  12. "Idaho House nixes child marriage ban". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Press. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  13. "REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED IDAHO CONGRESS REJECTS BILL TO END CHILD MARRIAGE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 16". Boise, Idaho: Newsweek. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
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