An Idaho House panel has introduced legislation that would redefine animal cruelty and torture. House Agricultural Affairs Chairman Ken Andrus of Lava Hot Springs says his proposal would create a new definition for torture that only applies to acts that intentionally cause an animal to suffer or feel pain. However, it would not apply...
The Senate Tax Committee has voted 6-3 in favor of HB 431, the bill to remove the annual indexing from Idaho’s homeowner’s exemption from property taxes. The vote moves the bill to the full Senate; if it passes there and receives the governor’s signature, it’ll…
Russ Hendricks of the Idaho Farm Bureau said the indexing of the homeowner’s exemption has been a problem for his members. He spoke in support of HB 431, the Idaho Association of Realtors’ bill to remove the indexing and fix the exemption at a maximum…
Dan Bloxsom of the Idaho Association of Counties told the Senate Tax Committee on HB 431, the bill to remove indexing from the homeowners exemption, “Over time, this will end up in a net tax shift.” He said, “If the Legislature is uncomfortable with this...
The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee is holding a hearing this afternoon on HB 431, the House-passed bill to remove the indexing of the homeowner’s exemption from property taxes. Chairman Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, said he asked the state Tax Commission for an informational presentation...
The Idaho Republican Party is slamming the Idaho Democratic Party for its complaint about the 22 billboards posted around the state by the Idaho Secretary of State’s office advertising the March 8 presidential primary election, but not mentioning that it’s only for the Republican and…
Idaho lawmakers made a mistake last year when they slapped an extra $75 annual registration fee on hybrid vehicles. That was the consensus of the Senate Transportation Committee this afternoon, as it unanimously backed legislation from Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, to repeal the new fee.…
The Senate Transportation Committee declined to introduce legislation backed by AAA of Idaho and the American Insurance Association to outlaw the use of cell phones while driving in Idaho, matching Idaho’s current law banning texting while driving. Lobbyist Mike Kane brought the bill to the…
A Legislative panel introduced a measure Thursday that would implement major reforms in the Idaho foster care program in response to complaints lodged against the program last week. Republican Rep. Christy Perry, of Nampa, says the new legislation would allow judges to oversee adoptions, while implementing a timeframe for relatives to apply...
Just four people testified at today’s public hearing in JFAC on the state budget: Rob Winslow of the Idaho Association of School Administrators; Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation; Robin Nettinga of the Idaho Education Association; and Karen Echeverria of the Idaho School Boards…
JFAC has agreed by unanimous consent to include the recommended 3 percent funding for merit-based raises for all state employees in agency budgets that it sets this year, and to funding the costs for the once-every-11-years 27th payroll period next year, a quirk of the…
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning is making the statewide budget decisions that will form the basis for all the state agency budgets it writes this year. On unanimous votes, the joint committee has adopted the revenue projections of both the governor and the Economic…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
