After intense debate, the House has voted 31-39 on HB 155a,
Rep. Raul Labrador’s local vehicle-registration fee bill, killing the bill. “We
have different needs around the state, and sometimes we need some local
authority to take care of those needs,” Labrador
told the House. The bill had earlier been amended to require a two-thirds local
vote to approve the fees, which would have to be for specific road or bridge
projects, rather than a simple majority. Among those speaking in favor of the
bill was Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, who said, “I think we need to give the
counties something right away to help deal with these transportation issues.”
But Rep. Jim Clark, R-HaydenLake, said, “What we have
here now, of course, is just another back-door approach of how we should get
local-option taxing.” Clark said he’s against
local-option tax legislation that doesn’t include a constitutional amendment.
Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, asked what happens if projects
cost more than anticipated. Labrador said
officials would have to go back to voters for approval of any increase, but
Wood said, “So in effect the voters are stuck with the bill.” Rep. Frank
Henderson, R-PostFalls, said he’s a
supporter of local control, but he opposed the bill. “We all know that
transportation is a major subject of the session, and I really think that until
this Legislature decides a source of revenues – and certainly automobile
registration is going to be one of the factors – I suggest that this bill may
be just a little before its time. And for that reason, I reluctantly am going
to vote no.” Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, called the bill “a viable
transportation solution” and said if the House can’t agree on it, it probably
can’t agree on any transportation issues this year.
House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly,
warned, “Those of you that don’t like this bill, I hope that you’re all
prepared to vote for a tax increase on regular registration. Because if we
don’t give some of these locals a tool … then all of us are going to have to
pay for those projects.”
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