The House Revenue & Taxation Committee, on a divided vote, has agreed to introduce the streamlined sales tax legislation from Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, which would position Idaho to begin collecting sales taxes online sales should Congress authorize that. Gov. Butch Otter urged support for the move in his State of the State message to lawmakers this year, saying congressional action is likely to come soon. House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, argued against introducing the bill. He acknowledged that Idaho law already requires people to pay tax on their online purchases. “I get that,” he said. But he said the state should wait until Congress acts.

The vote today clears the way for a full hearing on the bill.