Panel Rejects Official’s ‘Raid’ On Tax Agency

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday rejected what a committee member called a “raid” on one state agency by a state official.

Lisa Carberry, investment officer for Treasurer Lydia Justice Edwards, asked the committee to give the treasurer control over the state’s unclaimed property operations.

She said the treasurer hopes to earn more income through investing unclaimed assets, and would work hard to return more of the unclaimed property to the rightful owners.

Currently, only about one-third of the money and other assets turned over to the state as unclaimed property reaches the proper owners, she said.

Carberry said the office could handle the work without adding staff.

“You must have too many people now,” said Rep. Golden Linford, R-Rexburg. “You must be over-staffed.”

Carberry said she meant that the four employees in the tax agency in the unclaimed property program would be shifted to the control of the treasurer.

“I have a hard time seeing the need for this if everything is going to be the same,” said Rep. Celia Gould, R-Buhl.

In response to a question, Dan John of the state Tax Commission said unless state laws are changed, the treasurer would not have access to confidential tax filing information that might be used to find owners of unclaimed property.

“It’s a raid by one agency on another,” said Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls.