The Idaho Legislature has made it official – Gov. Butch Otter has won his biggest legislative victory in his seven years in office, persuading reluctant GOP lawmakers to approve his plan for a state-based health insurance exchange. After more than three hours of debate, the…
Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, moved to send HB 315 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it “do pass,” and Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, seconded the motion, which then passed on a unanimous voice vote. That’s the business personal property tax relief…
The House has voted 55-13, a GOP-led party-line vote, in favor of HCR 22, the resolution demanding that the federal government cede title to all federal lands in Idaho to the state. “There’s a few things that I’ll come out of the chair to debate…
Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, the chairman of the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee, has opened up public testimony on HB 315, the counties personal property tax relief, but he warned first that there’s dinner and coconut cream pie on the 4thfloor that’s calling to…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Senate has shelved a measure that sought to make it a misdemeanor for Idaho law enforcement officials to enforce any new federal firearms restrictions. The bill cleared the House on a party-line…
HB 315, the House-passed bill to exempt the first $100,000 of business equipment for each taxpayer in each county from the personal property tax, is up for a hearing this afternoon in the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee. Seth Grigg of the Idaho Association…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has appointed Lt. Col. Ralph Powell director of the Idaho State Police, also elevating Powell to the rank of colonel. Powell has been acting director since Col. Jerry Russell retired in January; he’s been deputy director since 2012 and is a…
Gov. Butch Otter has issued this statement on the final passage in the Senate today of his state health insurance exchange legislation, sending it to his desk: “I know this wasn’t easy, not for the Legislature and not for me. Nonetheless, I appreciate the civility…
The House has convened, and held all the bills on its 3rd Reading calendar for today; instead, it’ll suspend rules and take up measures that were on 2nd Reading. First up: HCR 22, the resolution demanding that the federal government transfer title to all Idaho…
The Senate has adjourned until 9:30 tomorrow morning, after its hours-long debate on HB 248. This afternoon's Senate committee meetings have been pushed back; those scheduled for 1:30 will meet instead from 2-3:30; and those scheduled for 3 p.m. will meet instead at 3:30.
After more than three hours of debate, the Senate has voted 23-12 in favor of HB 248, Gov. Butch Otter’s state health insurance exchange bill. That’s the exact same vote split as on the earlier version of the bill, SB 1042, on Feb. 21; no…
The Senate’s debate on HB 248, the governor’s insurance exchange bill, is still going, three hours in; several senators have now debated for a second time. “We all want to do the right thing,” said Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg. “Many will criticize your…
The Powerball jackpot has hit $320 million, and players have until Saturday night to buy a ticket, according to the Idaho Lottery, which is reminding people to “play responsibly.” “Big Powerball jackpots are a lot of fun and we want to remind everyone that when…
The House has voted 56-11 in favor of SB 1078, legislation to order public universities to allow student religious groups to require their leaders to adhere to their religion; that bill now goes to the governor’s desk. The House then recessed until 2:30 p.m.; now,…
Here's more from the debate on HB 248, the governor's state health insurance exchange bill, in the Senate this morning: Sen Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, said, “This exchange doesn’t implement the Affordable Care Act. It will be implemented fully with or without this bill.” Sen. Sheryl…
Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, drew an objection from Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, when he said the insurance exchange issue has prompted something “that really bothered me … lobbyists mocking people.” Hill said, “I think our rules require … discuss the merits of…
Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, spoke out against HB 248, Gov. Butch Otter’s state health insurance exchange bill, saying he rejects the idea that health care reform is “the law of the land.” Said Vick, “Those states that opposed slavery, did they say, well I…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt has finally won enough support in committee for his plan to tie strings to $12 million that school districts will get in the school budget next year for…
Idaho’s state Land Board, meeting this morning, voted 4-1 to give state cabin lease holders on Priest and Payette lakes a reprieve on their 2014 rent payments to the state, reports Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News. Tom Schultz, state lands director, told the board…
“Those of us who support a state exchange believe a state exchange would be less costly, less onerous for the citizens of Idaho, provide better product choices and make better use of the insurance professionals who are in this state,” Sen. John Tippets, R-Montpelier, told…
Sen. John Tippets, R-Montpelier, thanked Senate Secretary Jennifer Novak for her reading of the full health insurance exchange bill, HB 248. The reading, demanded by Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, took 10 minutes. “Senators, here we are again,” Tippets told the Senate. “The House took…
The time has come for the Senate to take up HB 248, the governor’s health insurance exchange bill. But Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, objected tothe unanimous consent request to waive full reading of the bill – so the Senate secretary, Jennifer Novak, has now…
The Turkish ambassador, Namik Tan, has sent a letter to Idaho Gov. Butch Otter letting him know that the Turkish Patent Institute has ruled against letting a Turkish firm trademark the word “IDAHO” for use on its agricultural products; Otter, the Idaho Potato Commission and…
The Senate was on the floor until after 7 p.m. tonight before it finally finished its amending order. It's now adjourned until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow; before adjourning, senators reordered their calendar to put HB 248, the state health insurance exchange bill, up first tomorrow.
Democratic Sens. Branden Durst, Cherie Buckner-Webb, and Dan Schmidt unsuccessfully offered amendments to SB 1147, the bill that requires that teachers get only one-year contracts. This is one of the controversial school labor laws that was proposed by the Idaho School Boards Association this year…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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