2026 Legislative Session Wrap-Up: A Look at IAC’s Victories and Key Enactments
The Idaho Legislature has adjourned after one of the most contentious sessions in recent history, concluding with significant late-session drama. First and foremost, I want to thank you for your engagement this year. This year, more than ever, legislators commented to us on how frequently they heard from you regarding bills impacting your county. The information …
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Legislative Alert – 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 …
What to Watch in Week One
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. …
State Tax Collections Continue to Lag Projections
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 …
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IAC Releases 2026 Legislative Priorities and Platform
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 …
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County Commissioners from Idaho Advocate at NACo’s Annual PILT Fly-In
Boundary County Commissioner Tim Bertling, Custer County Commissioner Will Nailon, Owyhee County Commissioner Cindy Bachman, and Twin Falls County Commissioner Don Hall along with IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg and IAC Policy Advisor Clay Boeckel joined county leaders from more than 40 public lands counties in 15 states last week for the annual National Association …
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Week 13: Final Legislative Update
As the 2025 Legislative Session winds down and the Legislature (hopefully) adjourns this afternoon, I want to thank the IAC Legislative Committee, IAC membership, and IAC staff for their thought, deliberation, and action during the Session. The IAC Legislative Committee in particular, spent countless hours reviewing proposed legislation, analyzing the impacts on counties, and directing …
Week 12: Idaho Legislative Session
As the Legislature wraps up its 12th week of the session, a number of key issues impacting counties remain in flux. At the top of the list is transportation funding. The Senate Finance Committee introduced Senate Bill 1205 late this week providing funding for the strategic initiatives program. Senate Bill 1205 appropriates $110 million to …
State and Local Transportation Funding At Risk
There are ongoing discussions in the Legislature about cutting $50 million from the Governor’s proposed budget for state and local highway maintenance. If advanced, it would result in a loss of $21 million in local road funding through the highway distribution account. IAC is concerned that this is the first step in further general fund …
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New Legislative Leadership Announced
The newly seated Legislature was in town this week to elect leadership for the next two years, select committee chairs and vice chairs, and make committee appointments. In Idaho, majority party leadership and committee chairs have significant influence over legislative priorities, which bills are granted hearings, and the timing of hearings. House leadership is as …