Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, challenged the fiscal note on SB 1117, the bill to allow heavy trucks statewide; the fiscal note says there would be no cost to the state general fund. But Keough said the bill anticipates activity by the state Department of Commerce, which is funded from the state general fund, and from the Idaho Transportation Department. Jim Riley, the bill’s lead backer, said, “The question about the Department of Commerce is very specific, to say ‘using available grant funding,’ so we would not obligate additional general funds.” Plus, he said, “As you all know, the ITD is not funded through the general fund but through dedicated fund. … Whether this creates an additional fiscal impact on them … I’d have to defer to them.”
Keough said, “Under our rules, much more is required, and this fiscal note is inadequate. And I would officially challenge it.” Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, asked for unanimous consent to request a new fiscal note for the bill, but Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene objected. Rice then moved for a new fiscal note and the motion passed with only Nonini objecting. Nonini said the Legislature routinely accepts fiscal notes that don’t acknowledge fiscal impacts outside the general fund, and said the committee shouldn’t “pick on this piece of legislation.”
Committee Chairman Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, said the committee can still consider the bill; but if it passes, a new fiscal note would need to be prepared.
Betsy Z. Russell covers Idaho news from The Spokesman-Review's bureau in Boise.
Named best state-based political blog in Idaho for 2013 by The Fix
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