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 …
What to Watch: Week 2
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 …
Governor Gives 2026 State of the State Address: A Few County Issues Mentioned
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 …
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New IAC Legislative Committee Chair and Vice Chair for the 2026 Legislative Session
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 …
Counties Leading Idaho: Your Role in Shaping the Future Through IAC Steering Committees
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 …