House Republicans overwhelmingly signed off on a bill setting a minimum, mandatory fine for those convicted of simple possession of marijuana.

The Idaho House of Representatives voted largely along party lines Tuesday to pass a new bill that would create a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for anyone convicted of marijuana possession. Following a lengthy debate at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, House members voted 54-14 to pass House Bill 7.

HB 7, which passed the Idaho House on Tuesday in a 54-14 vote, now moves to a Senate committee for consideration.

If an Idaho bill becomes law, the minimum fine for possessing even a small amount of marijuana will be higher than almost any other misdemeanor in the state, including a number of violent crimes, such as assault, battery, domestic violence and attempted strangulation.

In current Idaho law, it is a felony to possess more than 3 ounces of marijuana, punishable by up to five years in prison, or up to a $10,000 fine, or both. Possession of less than 3 ounces is a misdemeanor crime with a fine up to $1,000 and no set minimum.

A controversial bill, H-B 7, is advancing in the Idaho state legislature, proposing a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for possession of less than three ounces of

Possessing marijuana in Idaho could soon be punishable by a minimum $300 fine. Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, introduced a bill Thursday to add the mandatory minimum penalty, because he said first-time offenders receive punishments with inconsistent sanctions. The new minimum fine would not apply to minors.

Idaho lawmakers are considering a bill that could impose harsher penalties for marijuana possession. House Bill 7 aims to enforce a minimum $300 fine for anyone caught

BOISE, Idaho — After two hours of testimony, a House committee voted to send to the floor a bill creating a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for possession of marijuana, less than 3 ounces.

presented a proposed bill Thursday afternoon that would create a mandatory minimum $300 fine for possession of 3 ounces or less of marijuana. He proposed similar legislation last year that would have set the fine at no less than $420. The Idaho State ...

A bill aimed at increasing penalties for drug-related offenses has passed the Idaho House of Representatives. House Bill 7 aims to amend an existing law that sets penalties for marijuana possession, now heads to the Senate.

A bill to implement a minimum $300 fine for adults possessing three ounces of marijuana or less is moving forward to the Idaho House floor.