IAC’S BLOG

House Bill 556 passed the House floor today, representing a huge first win for counties. It was a strong 59-10-1 vote in favor of the bill. IAC extends a special thank you to the many county officials who took action in educating their House Members and encouraging their support. Getting this legislation passed through the House marks a pivotal first step toward correcting the funding gap for housing state inmates in county jails, and this success serves as a reminder of…

While we are excited that two of the Idaho Association of Counties’ legislative priorities recently passed the House and will be heard in the Senate soon, we do not want to let up on the gas on these issues. Please reach out to your Senators to encourage their support for House Bill 620 and House Bill 556. We also encourage you to keep an eye on House Bill 743, which was introduced on Friday which would allow the attorney general to…

The IAC Legislative Committee met in-person for the second time this legislative session on February 11th, 2026 at IAC’s downtown office. Those unable to attend in-person attended virtually.After the approval of the February 4th, 2026 minutes, discussion of legislation impacting county operations was underway. Many topics were discussed, ranging from fiscal transparency and public safety, to local land use planning and protecting local authority. The committee also reviewed IAC’s priorities this session, including bills such as H0556, dealing with state inmates…

IAC Priority Legislation on State Inmate Jail Reimbursements to be Heard Tuesday On Tuesday, February 17th at 1:30pm MST/12:30pm PST, the House Judiciary and Rules Committee will have under consideration House Bill 556. House Bill 556 proposes increasing the daily reimbursement rate paid by the Idaho Department of Corrections to counties for housing state-committed inmates in county jails. Currently, IDOC reimburses counties at a rate of $55 a day for the first seven days a state-committed inmate is in county custody…

State Inmates in County Jails: Action Needed This Week One of the Idaho Association of Counties’ (IAC) legislative priorities gained visibility during last Friday’s Joint Finance-Appropriation Committee (JFAC) meeting, signaling growing legislative attention to the issue of state inmates housed in county jails. During the meeting, JFAC Co-Chair Representative Tanner referenced whether or not the state should do a supplemental budget request to pay for last year’s reimbursement costs for state inmates currently held in county jails and, in some cases,…

The 2026 IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference provided a timely and productive forum for Idaho’s counties to engage on policy, budgets, and the future of county government. With 43 of Idaho’s 44 counties represented and more than 315 county elected officials, department leaders, deputies, and staff in attendance, counties made a strong and unified presence at the Capitol during a critical point in the legislative session. Throughout the week, county leaders participated in concurrent workshops, IAC steering committee meetings, keynote presentations, and…

A number of bills were introduced last week, so things are starting to pick up on the House side. Not many bills have been introduced on the Senate side yet. The main issue that we are continuing to track is the state budget. Today, the House Revenue & Taxation Committee, through a party-line vote, sent House Bill 559 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. This is the newest version of the tax conformity bill. Usually, tax conformity is the first…

What to Watch: Week 3 This week, we are excited to welcome county officials to the 2026 IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference. Things are heating up in the Capitol with multiple bills that may impact counties scheduled for introductory hearings in the House and Senate Committees.  This afternoon alone, there are at least four different committees with bills being introduced or having full hearings, including S1222 on domestic water use in Senate Resources & Environment at 1:30 pm in WW55. You can…

Week 2 has begun slowly, mirroring the pace of the previous week. However, we anticipate increased activity as the week progresses. Currently, IAC is tracking five bills, four of which relate to public safety. For more information on each bill, please consult the  IAC Bill Tracker. The fifth bill, Senate Bill 1222, is a clean-up bill focused on domestic wells, specifically regarding subdivisions. It is sponsored by the Pro Tem of the Senate, Senator Kelly Anthon. The bill is meant to…

The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office, in partnership with the Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks (IACRC), hosted its annual election training conference at the Riverside Hotel from January 7–9, 2026. The event offered election officials from across the state cutting-edge insights into emerging election trends, new technologies, and valuable tools to strengthen election administration in their counties. The conference opened with welcoming remarks from IACRC President and Teton County Clerk Kim Keeley, followed by an address from Idaho Secretary…

While only a few county issues were mentioned, those issues could have significant impacts on county budgets. Governor Little’s State of the State address clocked in at just under 29 minutes with a theme of “Enduring Idaho.” The speech mainly focused on plans to balance the state budget while still fully conforming to the One Big Beautiful Bill. The Governor kicked off the speech by recognizing the opportunities Idahoans have to celebrate America250. He touted his record regarding cutting regulations with…

The 2026 Idaho Legislative Session begins with significant organizational shifts due to recent resignations and retirements. Three of these resignations (Reps. Andrus, Clow, and Horman) created committee chair vacancies. To fill those vacancies, Speaker Moyle appointed Rep. Josh Tanner (District 14) to co-chair JFAC (House Appropriations, replacing Rep. Horman); Rep. Raymond (District 31) replaces Rep. Andrus on House Agriculture; and Rep. Jordan Redman (District 3) replaces Rep. Clow on House Business. The JFAC appointment for Rep. Tanner necessitated a new Assistant…

Twin Falls County Commissioner and IAC Legislative Committee Chair Don Hall was recently appointed to the Idaho Legislature. His resignation created a vacancy for the IAC Legislative Chair and Vice Chair positions.  “We commend Commissioner Hall for his steadfast dedication to ensuring that county perspectives were acknowledged, considered, and professionally and effectively advocated for during his tenure as a commissioner and as the IAC Legislative Committee Chair,” said IAC President Jenny Rosin. “While we will miss collaborating with him at the…

This year, the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) stepped into a new leadership role by expanding Local Government Transparency training through the Fall County Officials Institute (FCOI). Moving beyond a traditional format, IAC brought this important education directly to communities across the state, hosting sessions in seven locations: Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Weiser, Boise, Jerome, Malad, and Idaho Falls. This expanded statewide tour delivered critical training to more than 400 participants, including county elected officials and staff, legislators, city officials and employees,…

The Idaho Sheriffs Association (ISA), in partnership with the Idaho Jail Administrators Association (IJAA), held its Annual Conference December 9–11, 2025, at the Boise Centre in downtown Boise. The conference opened Monday evening with a Board of Directors meeting followed by a welcome reception at Bardenay Resturant. Training sessions and presentations began early Tuesday morning. Topics included Leadership and Self-Deception with Chip Huth of the Arbinger Institute, Crisis Communications with Avery Essick and Laura Cole of Cole Pro Media, and a…

Written by Kathy Ackerman, NACo Board Representative and Idaho County Clerk The Fall NACo Board of Directors Meeting-Storytellers Symposium was held December 4-6 in Wise County, Texas, the home of current NACo President Judge J. D. Clark. Attending from Idaho were NACo Board Representatives Kathy Ackerman and John David Davidson. Wise County pulled out all of the stops, extending pure Texas hospitality while showcasing their recently renovated historic Courthouse. With a packed agenda focusing on how counties are in a unique…

On November 10, 2025, the Idaho Division of Financial Management released updated state revenue information through October. As of October 31st, state tax collections continue to lag behind projections. State tax collections are currently below the revised August forecast by $103.1 million. Revenue misses for the current state fiscal year are largely due to lower than expected individual income tax collections (-$20.4 million) and corporate income tax collections (-$78.2 million) collections. While counties do not receive state income tax collections, they…

In observance of Veterans Day, the National Association of Counties (NACo) launched its fifth annual Operation Green Light for Veterans campaign. Throughout the week-long initiative, counties across the nation illuminated their buildings, offices, and streetlights in green to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans. The green light serves as a visible symbol of gratitude, reminding veterans that their service is recognized, their sacrifices are honored, and their presence is deeply valued. Many Idaho counties proudly joined the effort, demonstrating…

The Idaho Association of Counties Legislative Committee recently convened to prioritize legislative and policy resolutions adopted by the IAC membership. The IAC Legislative Committee reviewed a wide range of resolutions, many related to funding vital county services. Ultimately, the committee settled on four priorities: Increase Fiscal Transparency and Accountability – Partner with the Idaho Legislature to provide full transparency of the costs of county services required by the state, including providing non-property tax revenue sources for any future state-mandated county services….

Join an IAC Steering Committee to influence policy, strengthen public trust, and help counties lead the state effectively. Your Decisions Matter Every decision you make as a county official carries significant weight and affects your community. By joining an IAC Steering Committee, you can directly influence policies, promote efficiency, and address the needs of Idahoans statewide. Why Join? Being on a Steering Committee comes with tangible benefits: – Influence Policy: Shape committee decisions and IAC’s statewide policy platform. – Build Connections:…