BOISE -- It's the public's house but as state lawmakers move into the newly renovated Capitol building, there's a dispute over just how much access the public should have.

The debate is over a rule to limit public exhibitions to just a single floor
which doesn't sit well with Buy Idaho, the non-profit group promoting Idaho products that's exhibited on three floors of the capitol building for 17 years.

They say one floor isn't enough for the thousands of people involved each year.

"The real value of the Capitol exhibit is the networking that takes place on all three floors between the 100 exhibitors and lawmakers, lobbyists, employees of the state and the general public is invited in," said Buy Idaho Director Dale Peterson.

But Legislative Services Director Jeff Youtz, a member of the Capitol Commission, says the new, more restrictive guidelines are aimed at protecting the renovated statehouse after $122 million and two years of work.

"We don't want duct tape on the marble, or people hammering in tacks or nails during exhibits, obviously," said Youtz. "We don't want to damage the newly repaired, renovated marble in there. But it's an icon of the public, and so there's a fine line the Capitol Commission has to walk."

Buy Idaho's event is set for Feb. 17 and the group rejected a counteroffer to use the fourth floor for an entire week, saying it needs more room.

Mike Gwartney, director of the Department of Administration, which maintains the Capitol, initially supported the rule as a Capitol Commission member. But he's also a close friend of Gov. Butch Otter, who founded Buy Idaho 20 years ago.

So when the panel's majority declined to make an exception for the group at its Oct. 21 meeting, Gwartney armed himself with a legal opinion from his staff attorney concluding he had final say over the Capitol's public space.

Last Thursday, he told Peterson the event could proceed.

"In extreme cases there may be a necessity for exceptions," Gwartney informed commission members in an e-mail. "Therefore, with all due respect, I am going to overrule the Commission's recommendation."

Not so fast, said Youtz, who favors the limits.

Gwartney's agency oversees the building's upkeep but it's up to the Capitol Commission to review and approve permanent or temporary exhibits, Youtz said.

The Legislature is now entering the fray.

By law, its presiding officers govern all space in the Capitol basement and on the first, third and fourth floors, while Otter controls the second floor, where his offices are located.

Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes and House Speaker Lawerence Denney hope to settle the dispute at Wednesday's Capitol Commission meeting. In an interview with the Associated Press, Geddes said he was sympathetic to Buy Idaho's concerns but doesn't want to jeopardize the recent renovations.

And late Tuesday, there was talk of compromise when it comes to Buy Idaho.

(Associated Press Reporter John Miller contributed to this report.)