As Idaho prepares to debate two resolutions dealing with the pros and cons of the state wresting control of public land managed by the federal government, BSU professor John Freemuth, an expert on public land management policy and administration, offers some "starting points for conversations…
The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee has unanimously approved HB 140, the bill to clarify that land owned by tribal governments on reservations is exempt from property taxes just like land owned by any other government entity, despite last-minute opposition from Benewah County. Benewah…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Butchers, this bill is for you. Legislation that would carve out an exemption in Idaho's concealed weapons law on knives has passed the House. The measure approved unanimously Thursday allows Idahoans to carry…
Idaho is the first of 10 states that have enacted 'fetal pain' abortion laws since 2010 to have its law overturned, the Associated Press reports today. Yesterday's ruling from U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill also struck down two other Idaho laws dealing with abortion. Arizona…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A House committee has introduced a resolution calling on lawmakers to study the pros and cons of Idaho wresting control of public land managed by the federal government. The House State Affairs Committee…
The Idaho Health Exchange Alliance, a coalition of businesses, trade associations and individuals backing a state-based health insurance exchange, is lauding today's passage of the exchange legislation in the House Health & Welfare Committee; click below for the group's full statement. The alliance also reported…
Idaho state tax revenues came in 19.7 percent above forecasts for the month of February, according to the latest general fund revenue report from the Division of Financial Management. That was partly because of individual income tax receipts for the month, which came in at…
The House has voted 43-25 in favor of HB 218, legislation that would update Idaho’s school bond statutes, both removing and clearing up outdated wording and extending the maximum term for a school bond from 20 years to 30 years. Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls,…
The Senate has killed SB 1082a, Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll’s bill to create a new specialty license plate for volunteer EMS providers, a measure designed to recognize them and provide them easy access when they respond to accident scenes. Unlike most of Idaho’s specialty license plates,…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Restaurant owners in Driggs and other Idaho resort towns will have to wait a little longer for a change in state law to make liquor licenses more accessible. The House State Affairs Committee…
The House Health & Welfare Committee has voted 10-1 in favor of HB 248, the state health insurance exchange bill. Only Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, opposed it. Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, chairman of the committee, compared the state exchange vs. federal exchange issue to…
Members of the House Health & Welfare Committee are giving heartfelt statements about their thoughts on the state health insurance exchange legislation. “This has really been a difficult process for me,” said Rep Paul Romrell, R-St. Anthony. “It’s one that didn’t come easily. I’m a…
The House Health & Welfare Committee has unexpectedly finished testimony this morning on HB 248, the state health insurance exchange bill, and the committee is now debating the bill. It had set aside up to four hours this morning for testimony, plus more time tomorrow…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Counties aim to dump Idaho's personal property tax for 90 percent of businesses this year, according to a bill introduced in the House. The Idaho Association of Counties' proposal, which got its initial…
Idaho’s three community colleges, North Idaho College, College of Western Idaho and College of Southern Idaho, got a budget boost today from the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, though it fell far short of the funding the colleges requested in the face of ballooning enrollment at the…
Legislative budget writers set one of the state’s most significant budgets this morning, for the state’s colleges and universities. The successful motion shows a 3.8 percent increase in state general funds – well below Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation for a 5 percent hike – and…
At the health insurance exchange hearing this morning in the Abraham Lincoln Auditorium, time was allowed first for the governor’s chief of staff, David Hensley, to explain the bill, and for a leading opponent, Wayne Hoffman, to criticize it. Hensley told the House Health &…
There sure is a lot going on in the state Capitol this morning. The hearing on the state health insurance exchange legislation kicks off at 7 a.m. in the Abraham Lincoln Auditorium. People started lining up at 6:30; you can listen live here. The Joint…
Idaho's 'fetal pain' abortion law, banning abortions after 20 weeks based on the disputed idea that a fetus at that point can feel pain, has been overturned in federal court as unconstitutional. The law, passed in 2011, was found to be an undue burden on…