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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Corporate sponsorship bill for state parks clears House committee

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A House panel has approved a proposal to let the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation receive money from corporate sponsors. The sponsorships would generate an estimated $20,000 in the first year and up to $100,000 in future years. Parks and Recreation Director David Langhorst on Tuesday showed the committee examples of a business logo appearing on informational signs or on a mobile app. But Rep. Lynn Luker from Boise raised concerns with the language of the bill. The bill will likely undergo minor changes before the full House considers it. Democratic Rep. Melissa Winthrow raised questions over which companies would be allowed to sponsor state parks. Langhorst says that the agency's board would likely say no to any political organizations. The bill unanimously passed the Senate in late February.

The bill, SB 1098, was sent to the House’s amending order for a specific change: Luker wants the words “rights” and “licensing” removed from the bill. Langhorst said the parks department is fine with that change.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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