Idaho Senate Votes To Ban Camping On Capital Mall

(AP) - The Idaho Senate voted to ban camping from state-managed land, a move that would expel a tent encampment erected by Occupy Boise protesters in early November on the old Ada County Courthouse grounds. Tuesday's 26-9 vote sends the measure back to the House. Representatives must vote again because of changes added by the Senate to give protesters 90 days to reclaim property they left behind before it's thrown away. If the House agrees, however, the measure would be sent to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for signature. After that, state officials could dispel the Occupy group. Democrats opposed the measure, saying it was a statement against freedom of speech. Members of the Republican majority countered the ban against camping is content-neutral and follows an approach vetted by the U.S. Supreme Court.