With a deadline looming for introduction of bills in most House and Senate committees, numerous new bills are being brought forward, including a slew on Monday’s committee agendas in both houses. Among those introduced Friday: The latest proposal to go after sales taxes on online sales to Idahoans, from Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls. Idaho’s 6 percent tax already applies to those sales, but taxpayers are supposed to keep track of it and pay it on their state income tax returns each year; that’s hard for the state to track, and many don’t pay. Clow’s bill would require large national retailers, like Amazon and Overstock.com, to collect and remit the taxes to Idaho; it’s modeled after a New York law that was upheld in court.

Times-News reporter Nathan Brown has a full report here on Clow’s latest proposal; Clow has tried numerous approaches in recent years, but lawmakers have been reluctant. With more and more sales moving online, brick-and-mortar retailers in Idaho have been strongly supporting the move. The House Revenue & Taxation Committee voted unanimously Friday to introduce Clow’s bill, HB 155.

Monday is the 36th day of this year's legislative session, which is the final day that bills can be introduced in non-privileged committees.