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

A bill aimed at increasing penalties for drug related offenses has passed in the Idaho House of Representatives.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, introduced the bill to the Idaho House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, noting that Idaho judges can apply fines ranging from $2 to $500 for people possessing three ounces or less of marijuana.

House Bill 7 aims to amend an existing law that sets penalties for marijuana possession, now heads to the Senate. The bill passed the House Tuesday by a vote of 54 to 14. It adds a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for first-time adult offenders.

The House voted Tuesday to approve a bill creating a mandatory minimum fine for possessing 3 ounces or less of marijuana.

The man who was shot in Boise last weekend after an alleged robbery died in a local hospital, leading to murder charges for a 19-year-old Meridian man and two juveniles.