HB 140, the bill brought by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe on behalf of all of Idaho’s Indian tribes to clarify that reservation property owned by tribal governments isn’t subject to county sales taxes has passed the Senate on a 33-2 vote, and now heads to the governor’s desk. Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, the bill’s Senate sponsor, said, “It was the right bill. … It’s something that should’ve been done long ago. It promotes unity.”

The only two “no” votes came from Sens. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, and Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow. Keough said after the vote, “It’s my understanding that there is a process by which tribes can take their property off the property tax rolls, through BIA and putting it into trust. I think that process as it’s been explained to me is the process that they should use.” She also questioned whether the exemption could go far beyond tribal government operations, since the tribal government could own properties not used for government purposes. “That’s why I voted that way,” she said.

The bill earlier passed the House, 64-3.