From the Executive Director – Week of April 8, 2024
The Idaho Legislature recessed for five legislative days on Thursday, April 4th after passing a key appropriation bill for the Idaho Department of Transportation. The Legislature will return to Boise on Wednesday, April 10th to wrap up its work for the year and adjourn sine die. Passage of House Bill 770 ensures that counties and …
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From the Executive Director – Week of April 1, 2024
As the 2024 Legislative Session likely wraps up this week, a key appropriation bill funding state and local highways is still pending. House Bill 723 has thus far failed to advance through the Legislature. The appropriation bill narrowly passed the House on March 20th on a 35-34-1 vote. It subsequently failed on the Senate Floor …
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From the Executive Director – Week of March 25, 2024
Late Action on IAC Legislative Priorities Early this morning, Senate Bill 1403, modernizing Idaho’s area of city impact law, passed the House on a 69-1 vote. The bill previously passed the Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Senate Bill 1403 was adopted by the IAC membership in September as one …
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BLM Proposes Stronger Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plans
By BLM Press The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing a draft plan to strengthen greater sage-grouse conservation and management on public lands, informed by the best-available science and input from local, state, federal, and Tribal partners. The draft plan is built on decades of partnership, research, and on-the-ground knowledge and experience in maintaining, …
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From the Executive Director – Week of March 18, 2024
House Ways & Means Committee Introduces New Assessment Burden of Proof Legislation On Friday, March 15th, the House Ways & Means Committee introduced House Bill 717. House Bill 717 is a mashup of House Bill 701 and House Bill 625. House Bill 701 is sponsored by Representative Ned Burns and seeks to codify a uniform …
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From the Executive Director – Week of March 11, 2024
House Introduces Legislation to Tax Rate Regulated Utilities Based on Kilowatt Hours Sold The House Revenue and Taxation Committee introduced legislation last week to exempt the real and personal property of rate regulated electric utility companies from taxation. In lieu of paying property taxes, the three electric companies (Avista, Idaho Power, and Rocky Mountain Power) …
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From the Executive Director – Week of February 26, 2024
Through seven weeks, the Legislature is on pace to eclipse the number of bills introduced in a single session since 2019. As of February 23rd, 717 pieces of legislation have been drafted, with 430 bills and 33 resolutions or memorials introduced. After seven weeks in 2023, 570 pieces of legislation had been drafted, with 338 …
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House Bill 521 Advances to House Floor
House Bill 521 was sent to the floor this morning with a “do pass” recommendation. It will likely be voted on by the full House of Representatives later this week. It is an important bill for counties. While the bill itself is a tax relief bill that provides new and increased state funding for school …
Idaho’s County Members Visit Washington, D.C., for 2024 NACo Legislative Conference
By Kathy Ackerman, Idaho County Clerk and NACo Board Member Idaho was well represented at the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference held in Washington, D.C., February 10-13. The conference was attended by Kathy Ackerman (Idaho County), Skip Brandt (Idaho County), Denis Duman (Idaho County), Vic Pearson (Franklin County), Jeff Hough (Bannock County), …
IAC’s Premier Event Unites County Officials and State Legislators
By Jessica Roth and Gracee Gorrell, IAC’s Communications Team The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) hosted its 2024 Midwinter Legislative Conference at the Boise Centre from January 29th to February 1st. The conference united county elected officials and county staff, local government entities, state employees, and Idaho’s legislators. “The Midwinter Legislative Conference is IAC’s biggest …
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