Senate votes unanimously for IRS conformity bill; unlike House, no debate or dissent

Unlike the Idaho House, the Idaho Senate today had no debate and a unanimous vote as it approved the annual IRS conformity bill, to conform Idaho’s state income tax code to federal changes and ensure Idaho taxpayers can file their state income tax returns and have them processed without delay.

Earlier in the House , 18 members voted against the routine bill, and Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, argued that backing it would violate lawmakers’ oaths to support the state Constitution, because the state Constitution still contains an invalidated clause forbidding same-sex marriage, while federal law allows married same-sex couples to file joint tax returns.

After Sen. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, briefly introduced the provisions of this year’s bill, HB 26, it passed on a 32-0 vote.  Senators also agreed to suspend rules to make sure the bill could be taken up and passed today, rather than waiting until next week.