IAC Summer District Meetings Round-Up
July was a busy month for IAC’s districts. Districts 1, 2, 3, and 6 each met to provide and receive updates, discuss potential legislative resolutions, network, and more. IAC staff attended each meeting. It is always nice to meet with counties in their districts to learn more about the challenges they face and to see …
2027 IAC Legislative Resolution Deadline Approaching
As we look ahead to the 2027 legislative session, we expect many of last session’s major issues — property taxes and revenue options for state-required county services, tourism impacts, data centers/energy, and transportation funding, among others — to carry over. These issues will require significant time and attention from IAC staff and membership alike. Given …
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Three State Offices Merge: Introducing OSMEC
Effective July 1, 2026, three state offices counties regularly work with — the Office of Species Conservation (OSC), the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR), and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) — have consolidated into a single agency: the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination (OSMEC), pronounced “oh-smeck.” The Two Bills Behind …
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IAC 2027 Legislative Resolution Form Released Today
It may feel like the 2026 legislative session just ended, but here at the Idaho Association of Counties, we are already looking towards the 2027 session, and we know that many of our members are as well. Preparing early gives everyone more time to collaborate, gather input, and strengthen proposals—leading to better outcomes for counties …
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What to Watch: Week Twelve
Unfunded Mandate Alert: House Bill 621 to be Heard Tomorrow in House State Affairs While we are hopeful that the legislature will be able to finish its work and adjourn sine die within the next couple of days, we are not letting off the gas during these final days of the session. Tomorrow morning, House …
Short-Term Rental Bill Passes Senate, But Not Without Opposition
In recent weeks, the Idaho Association of Counties contacted House and Senate members to express concerns about House Bill 583 on short-term rentals. While we appreciate the inclusion of some safety requirements, such as smoke detectors in guest rooms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor, the bill prevents counties from identifying short-term …
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What to Watch: Week 10
This week, keep an eye on the Senate Floor. House Bill 556 (Reimbursement for State Inmates in County Jails) is a 2026 IAC Legislative Priority. It is on the 3rd reading calendar in the Senate. The other issue to keep an eye on this week is whether state budgets pass or fail on the floors …
What to Watch: Week 7
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 …
What to Watch: Week 5
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 …
What to Watch: Week 4
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 …