Combo bill of hybrid fee repeal, ISP funding phaseout revived, sent to House

BOISE - House Transportation Chairman Joe Palmer’s plan to tie repeal of an unpopular $75 annual fee on hybrid cars to a five-year phaseout of funding for the Idaho State Police from gas taxes was revived Wednesday afternoon sent to the full House.

“Things change,” said House Tax Chairman Gary Collins, R-Nampa, who just a day earlier said the bill was dead and he wouldn’t give it a hearing. It’s Palmer’s comeback to a Senate-passed bill that simply eliminates the hybrid fee.

“It’s not the best alternative, but we are getting a lot of complaints on the hybrid fee,” Collins said.

Palmer, R-Meridian, said the funding cuts to ISP wouldn’t start for a year, so the agency would have time to request replacement funds, though none are identified in the bill. The measure’s fate is uncertain as lawmakers push to adjourn their session this week.