Only one senator, Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, debated on HB 315, the personal property tax relief bill; he spoke in favor of it. Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, the bill’s Senate sponsor, said, “We’ve got to some way find a way to succor businesses into this…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill aimed at bringing Idaho's abortion laws in line with a recent federal court decision striking down the so-called fetal pain law has stalled in the Senate.The measure would have deleted sections…
The Senate is now taking up HB 315, the personal property tax relief bill. Though this was highly controversial earlier in the session – when a much farther-reaching bill was proposed by IACI – this measure passed the House a week ago on a 67-2…
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee’s 7-2 vote today to kill HB 286, the bill from Sen. Bob Nonini to grant $10 million a year in tax credits for scholarships to private schools. After…
Amid the late-session tumult in both houses today, the Senate Education Committee saw all its members vote against their chairman and vice-chairman to kill a bill to force school districts to use nearly $14 million in salary money to rehire teachers or restore classroom days,…
This is a sign that the Legislature really is moving toward adjournment this week - cardboard boxes are now stacked in the hallway outside the House chamber. That means the time to pack up - and adjourn sine die - is growing nigh...
The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee has killed HB 286, Sen. Bob Nonini’s $10 million tax credit bill for scholarships to private schools; only Sens. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, and Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, voted in favor of the bill. “Our time is short, but…
Sen.. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, is now pitching HB 286, his bill to grant $10 million a year in tax credits for donations to scholarships to private schools, with the idea that the state would save millions because kids would switch from public to private…
Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, pushed amendments to Sen. Marv Hagedorn’s school safety bill, SB 1133, to remove the entire bill and replace it with the text of his gun-rights bill, HB 280, which passed the House but never got a hearing in the Senate, and…
Two doctor-lawmakers, Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, and Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow, called on the Legislature today to debate Medicaid expansion, potentially saving Idaho taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and providing health coverage to 100,000 poor Idahoans. “By putting it off now, we’re harming the…
The House has recessed until 1:30, at which time it’ll go into its amending order; and the Senate has recessed until 3 p.m. The Senate just completed its amending order, the 14thOrder, in which amendments were approved to four bills: HB 259, on school teachers'…
Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, proposed legislation this morning for a 5 percent income tax surcharge on those earning more than $77,100 a year, to raise $44 million a year to spend in areas where state is failing to comply with state laws, policies or interests…
Freshman Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, proposed legislation this morning to move Idaho into position to be able to tax Internet sales should Congress pass laws enabling states to do so, by joining the multi-state streamlined sales tax project. House Rev & Tax Chairman Gary…
Sen. Chuck Winder’s drone privacy bill, SB 1134, has been killed this morning in the House State Affairs Committee. “I think this is certainly a laudable attempt to try and address an upcoming issue, but I see serious issues in this bill still,” said Rep.…
After much debate, the House Revenue & Taxation Committee has voted down HB 326, a proposal from Rep. JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, to require reporting of sales tax paid on tires in Idaho. Wood said it’s data the state needs should it decide in the future…
The House Education Committee has approved SB 1147a on a divided vote, to ban so-called “evergreen” clauses in teachers union master agreement contracts that carry on from one year to the next. Paul Stark, attorney for the Idaho Education Association, said the bill violates the…
Twin Falls Times-News reporter Melissa Davlin has a look at the politics of the Medicaid expansion debate today; you can read her full report here. It notes that next year is an election year, changing the way some lawmakers may see the issue playing out…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
