The first session of the 66th Idaho Legislature gavels in today (Monday).

At 1 p.m., Gov. Brad Little’s State of the State address will highlight the opening day. He will speak remotely from a Statehouse auditorium, a departure from the traditional practice of speaking from the House floor with all three branches of government squeezed into one room.

The Idaho Press reports, this year’s session promises to be especially unpredictable.

Legislators are moving ahead with an in-person session at a time when public health orders limit gatherings and restrict group sizes across the state.

And the Legislature is gearing up for a showdown over separation of powers. Many lawmakers expressed frustration with Little’s pandemic response, and executive actions issued after the 2020 Legislature adjourned in March.