The House has opened its debate on SB 1011, the bill to repeal authorization for “historical horse racing” in Idaho, which led to the installation slot machine-like “instant racing” terminals at three locations around the state. “Two years ago, the race horse people came to…
House members are concerned this morning over what they say may have been a hacking of a representative’s email account. An email went out this morning to all representatives urging them to vote against HB 265, a bill regarding an interstate compact on public lands....
Reps. John Gannon, D-Boise, and Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, presented bipartisan legislation in the House Ways & Means Committee this morning to require all contracts issued by state constitutional officers for more than $500,000 to be reported to the Legislature. Gannon told the committee, “Until 1991,…
For Boiseans wanting a ride Their city has mightily tried To develop some regs ‘Til a lobbyist begs Now lawmakers say they’ll preside.
Wouldn’t it be a good bet That lawmakers don’t like a threat If horses will run And bettors have fun Will applecarts all be upset?
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the complicated legislation Idaho House GOP leaders introduced today to make big changes in Idaho’s tax system – lowering the top income tax rate, removing the sales tax from groceries, and raising the gas tax…
The Senate has voted 23-11 in favor of HB 262, the Uber bill, sending the measure to the governor’s desk. The bill, which bans local regulation of Uber and instead imposes state requirements – but not oversight by any entity – was proposed by a...
Idaho Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins, whose campaign website was taken over and turned into a resource site for LGBT youth, told Idaho Public TV reporter Melissa Davlin today that he views gay people the same way he views slave owners. “They (slave owners) weren’t terrible…
The Idaho Sheriff’s Association says it’s discovered a problem in the House-passed concealed carry bill HB 301: As written the bill would let violent criminals who’ve either gotten withheld judgments, like those sentenced to the rider program, or completed their sentence and gotten their civil…
The Senate Education Committee has voted unanimously in favor of HB 296, the career ladder teacher pay bill, sending it to the full Senate for a final vote. “Particularly with the news today that Idaho has dropped to 49th in the teacher pay rankings, we…
Big news today about Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. Army sergeant who was held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan for five years after he left his Army post: He’s been charged by the U.S. military with desertion and “misbehavior before the enemy,” and could get…
The House has voted 62-3 in favor of HB 286, legislation from Majority Leader Mike Moyle and the Idaho Department of Commerce to greatly expand property tax breaks that county commissioners can give out for business expansions. Currently, the tax break is only for new…
Ilah Hickman The Senate Resources Committee has voted unanimously in favor of HB 1, the bill to designate the Idaho giant salamander as the state amphibian. The sponsor, 14-year-old Ilah Hickman – who’s pushed for the bill for the past five years – skipped her...
Idaho’s average teacher pay dropped by more than $200 a year from 2012-13 to 2013-14, Idaho Education News reports; the news comes as a Senate committee prepares to hear legislation this afternoon on a five-year plan to boost Idaho’s teacher pay. EdNews reporter Kevin Richert…
In an unusual move today, House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, asked to delay another day on the vote on SB 1011, the bill to repeal “instant racing,” and the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Ken Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, objected. That forced Moyle to make…
The Senate State Affairs Committee today sent HB 155, Rep. Linden Bateman’s bill to increase fines for violations of the Idaho Open Meeting Law, to the Senate’s 14th Order for amendments. Several senators on the panel raised questions about some of the bill’s wording, in...
Complicated legislation to make big changes in Idaho’s tax system – lowering the top income tax brackets to 6.7 percent from the current 7.4 percent, while keeping lower brackets the same as they are now; removing the sales tax from groceries while eliminating the current…
Two new transportation bills were introduced in the House Ways & Means Committee this morning. One, from Rep. Jason Monks and House Transportation Chairman Joe Palmer, would make two funding shifts: Remove the Idaho State Police from funding by the state highway distribution account, which…
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the state performance evaluation that says Idaho wasted $61 million on a failed statewide instructional management system for schools, as former state schools Superintendent Tom Luna pushed it forward despite warnings it wouldn’t work. Luna…
HB 264, the budget bill for the mental health division of the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, has won unanimous support from the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk. The bill includes $1.7 million in funding for a second mental health crisis…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) - State officials are no longer requesting the Idaho Legislature approve new rules designed to tighten oversight on multimillion dollar contracts after lawmakers voiced concerns the proposed guidelines didn't go far enough. An official…
A split Senate Transportation Committee has voted 5-3 in favor of HB 262, to override city regulations on “transportation network” services like Uber; the vote sends the House-passed bill to the full Senate for a final vote. The bill was proposed by a lobbyist for…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill that would let Idaho corporations pursue societal and environmental causes is headed to the governor's desk. House lawmakers unanimously endorsed the plan Tuesday. Currently, Idaho corporations risk a lawsuit if they…
The Idaho House has voted 57-11 in favor of HB 301, the concealed carry bill, which reorganizes and streamlines Idaho’s concealed-weapon laws while also removing any requirement for a concealed-carry permit outside city limits; current law allows that now for anyone engaged in a lawful…
The House has suspended its rules and taken up HB 301, the concealed carry bill sponsored by Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale. The bill revises and streamlines Idaho’s existing concealed-weapon permit laws, and removes the requirement to be engaged in a “lawful outdoor activity” in order...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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