BOISE, Idaho — A bill introduced Wednesday in the Idaho House Local Government Committee would limit what cities and counties can include in local nondiscrimination rules.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, would stop local governments from adding protections that are not already part of state law. The Idaho Family Policy Center, a conservative advocacy group, helped draft the proposal.

More than a dozen Idaho cities and counties, including Boise and Meridian, have local rules that include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Leaders with the Idaho Family Policy Center say those rules can put business owners in conflict with their religious beliefs.

“Government officials have forced bakers, photographers, florists, graphic designers, and wedding venue operators to participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies and pride festivals,” said the center’s president, Blaine Conzatti. “And that has even taken place here in Idaho… We call on the Idaho Legislature to rein in these rogue local governments by ensuring that these local antidiscrimination ordinances align with state law.”

Rep. Steve Berch said in committee that he would not be supporting the motion, arguing that the legislation is “irreconcilable with the principle that government is best when it’s closest to the people.”

Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates echoed Rep. Berch’s sentiment, stating in a press release that the bill would take needed power away from local leaders.

“Local communities know their people, their needs, and their values better than anyone else,” Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates wrote. “When the state strips local leaders of the ability to respond to issues and protect their residents, it isn’t preserving neutrality – it’s government overreach at best.”

The committee voted 14-2 to formally introduce the bill, which will occur at a later date.

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Roland Steadham, the chief meteorologist at CBS Boise affiliate KBOI, died in a small plane crash on Tuesday, his employer confirmed. 

The station reported that Steadham and one other person were aboard a plane that crashed into the Payette River near Emmett, Idaho. KBOI said that Steadham was an “accomplished pilot” and operated a small aircraft out of the Emmett Municipal Airport. 

Steadham was a commercially licensed pilot and avid skydiver, according to his KBOI biography. His biography notes that he had “logged over 3,000 hours flying everything from competition aerobatics to twin-engine jets and gliders.” 

The plane appeared to have clipped a power line before crashing into the icy river, the Gem County Sheriff’s Office said. The crash was reported at 10:58 a.m. Tuesday, the office said. Both occupants were fatally injured in the crash, the office said. 

The other occupant of the plane has not been publicly identified. KBOI and the sheriff’s office did not specify if Steadham was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.  

Steadham is survived by his wife, Erin, his six children, and his grandchildren, according to KBOI. 

Steadham was a meteorologist for 35 years, won multiple awards during his career and “trained countless Meteorologists who continue to inform the public across the country,” according to his KBOI biography, He was previously the chief meteorologist at CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City from 2005 to 2009, and had degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.

Steadham was also an avid hiker and animal lover who would sometimes bring his dog to the station to watch his forecasts. 

“Our community won’t be the same without him,” KBOI said. 

CBS News senior national weather correspondent Rob Marciano said he had known Steadham for over 20 years and remembered him as “a great guy, a total pro, and a gentleman.”  

“This is such sad and shocking news for the weather community,” Marciano said.