Leadership Changes in the Legislature
The Idaho Legislature held re-organization meetings in preparation for the 2021 legislative session. In the Senate, there were two contested races. Abby Lee and Lori Den Hartog ran for Assistant Majority Leader. Lee came out on top. Chuck Winder and Dan Johnson ran for Senate Pro Tempore, the top leadership office. Winder was the victor …
Update on Property Tax Study Committee
Last week, the IAC Legislative Committee met virtually to receive a property tax update. The Property Taxes and Revenue Expenditures Study Committee met the week prior. The Study Committee discussed several pieces of draft legislation. These drafts focused on a variety of options from transparency and uniformity, removing the ability of cities and counties to …
Interim Committee on Property Tax to Meet This Friday
The Property Tax and Revenue Expenditure Study Committee is planning to meet this Friday, October 16 at 9 am MST. While previous meetings have focused on receiving information from a variety of stakeholders, the agenda for this Friday will focus on legislation drafts. We expect discussions on legislation focusing on transparency, truth in taxation, budget …
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Property Tax Study Committee Update
The Idaho Legislature’s Property Tax and Revenue Expenditure Subcommittee met on September 18th in Boise to explore ways to reduce property taxes without shifting who pays property taxes. The Study Committee listened to presentations from the Farm Bureau, Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Association of Idaho Cities, and IAC. Among the …
Idaho’s Truth in Taxation Experiment
Since the late 1970’s Idaho has experimented with various property tax budget caps, including truth in taxation. The Idaho Legislature established Idaho’s version of truth in taxation in 1993. The law was in place for two years before being replaced by the current 3% cap on annual property tax budget increases. Under Idaho’s version of …
Extraordinary Session in Every Sense of the Word
The Extraordinary Session called by Governor Little lived up to its name. It was unlike any session we have ever witnessed. The tenor from the beginning was strained. Protestors shouting from the fourth floor of the Capitol could be heard on the Garden Level. Some deputy clerks witnessed the mayhem that resulted in the shattering …
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Idaho Legislature Grants Limited Coronavirus Liability to Counties
During the recently completed special session, the Idaho Legislature adopted temporary legislation extending immunity to businesses, churches, cities, counties, and schools from claims associated with the transmission of coronavirus. The immunity is temporary because it sunsets (expires) on July 1, 2021. Over the course of two days, five different immunity bills were introduced. While each …
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Elections Legislation Receives Governor Little’s Signature
The county clerks focused on two pieces of legislation during the Special Session. One would temporarily create vote centers increasing ease of voting in person at any precinct in the county instead of one assigned to you. The other piece of legislation focused on some temporary changes to the absentee ballot process. Vote Centers received …
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Legislative Working Groups Recommend Special Legislative Session
It has been a busy few weeks for interim legislative committees and working groups. Joint Education, Judiciary and Rules, and State Affairs committees have met to explore the potential of a special legislative session. Among the topics covered include liability protections for both private businesses and governmental entities, the November general election, the jurisdiction of …
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IAC Legislative Committee Update
The IAC Legislative Committee met Wednesday, July 22nd to discuss three important topics related to county government: the Property Tax Study Committee, Coronavirus liability reform, and the many challenges the coronavirus is creating regarding the fast-approaching November election. IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg kicked off the Legislative Committee meeting reporting local government budget transparency will …