Christy Zito


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

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 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 which changed Idaho Code to allow for nonresident adults between ages 18–21 to conceal carry without a permit. 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.

Anti-Transgender Legislation

Zito is the sponsor of HB465 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 and the Pediatric Endocrine Society. According to the Endocrine Society: "There is a durable biological underpinning to gender identity that should be considered in policy determinations."

Criticism of Child Marriage Bill opposition

Zito received scattered criticism for opposing a bill intended to end "child marriage for those under age in Idaho". Zito would later be quoted as linking the issue to abortion.