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43-25 in favor of HB 218, legislation that would update Idaho’s school bond statutes, both removing and clearing up outdated wording and extending the maximum term for a school bond from 20 years to 30 years.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, said that will allow school districts to charge lower tax levies each year for their bonds, and give them more flexibility. She said it’s an alternative to lowering the two-thirds supermajority now required to pass school bonds.

Horman, a first-term lawmaker, has four co-sponsors on the bill, Reps. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls; Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls; Hy Kloc, D-Boise; and Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree. The bill now moves to the Senate side.