2023 Legislative Session a Success for Counties

With the 2023 Legislative Session largely in the rearview mirror, counties across the state will enter 2024 in a stronger position. 2023 has been a good year for counties. Not only will county property taxpayers see real property tax relief, but counties will also receive funding enhancement for transportation and public defense services. Additionally, the …

From the Executive Director – March 20, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Winding Down As the Legislature enters week 11, all signs point to an adjournment as soon as Friday, March 24th, but more realistically sometime the week of March 27th. I don’t expect any new major pieces of legislation this week, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of other work to be …

House Revenue & Taxation Advance Property Tax Relief Package

The House Revenue & Taxation Committee approved House Bill 292 this morning on a 14-1 vote. The bill now advances to the floor of the House of Representatives for a full vote. The bill will likely be voted on in the next two days. House Bill 292 is the culmination of negotiations kicked off over …

From the Executive Director: Week of March 6, 2023

Pace Picking Up at Statehouse Last week came with a flurry of activity in legislative committees and on the floor of both bodies as the session enters month three. Here is the activity from last week impacting counties: – IAC-opposed House Bill 150 was held in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee on a 12-4 …

From the Executive Director: Week of February 27, 2023

Compromise Reached on Public Defense Legislation Late last week, stakeholders reached a tentative compromise on legislation establishing a new public defense delivery model effective October 1, 2024. Under the framework, counties will be relieved of all obligations to provide public defense. Those counties that currently contract for public defense, will continue to have contract public …

2023 IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference Recap

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) hosted its 2023 Midwinter Legislative Conference at the Riverside Hotel in Boise from January 30 – February 2. The four-day conference brought Idaho’s county elected officials, county staff, affiliate agencies, and IAC Corporate Partners like Blue Cross of Idaho, Western States Cat, Enterprise Fleet Management, and more together for …

From the Executive Director: Week of February 20, 2023

  Halfway into the Session, Still No Consensus on Property Tax Relief As the Legislature approaches the halfway mark of the 2023 Legislative Session, there still isn’t consensus on property tax relief legislation. Both the House and Senate have been working seemingly nonstop since the session began to find a fix to rising residential property …

Idaho County Officials Travel to DC for 2023 NACo Legislative Conference

By Kathy Ackerman, Idaho County Clerk The National Association of Counties (NACo) held their 2023 Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton in DC from February 11-14. As your NACo Board Representative, here are a few key takeaways from this year’s conference: Idaho was well-represented at the conference by Seth Grigg, IAC Executive Director; Commissioners Tom …

2023 IAC Executive Board Members Sworn in at Midwinter Legislative Conference

IAC recently held its installation ceremony for the organization’s board of directors at the 2023 IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference at the Riverside Hotel in Boise. Chris Goetz, Clearwater County Sheriff, held his position as Immediate Past President, while Vic Pearson, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney, accepted his new role of IAC President. Blaine County Treasurer John …

From the Executive Director: Week of February 13, 2023

Bill Introduction Deadline in Rearview Mirror As we enter week six of the 2023 Legislative Session, the legislature is slowly picking up the pace of bill introductions. Friday marked the last day of bill introductions for non-privileged committees. With the passing of the bill introduction deadline, I researched bill introductions through the first five weeks …