From the Executive Director: Week of February 17, 2020

As most of you are no doubt aware, property taxes dominated the legislative calendar last week. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee held a three-day hearing to consider House Bill 409 (property tax freeze). During the hearing, the committee heard testimony from taxpayers primarily from Ada and Canyon Counties supporting H0409 and city, county, and other local government officials opposed to the bill. Dozens of county officials attended the hearing with ten providing testimony before the committee. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted on a party-line 13-3 vote to send the bill to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation. H0409 will next be taken up for consideration by the full house either later this week or early next week.

IAC policy staff are meeting daily with legislators to discuss potential alternatives to a property tax freeze. There is also a movement to create a legislative interim committee to review Idaho’s property tax law over the summer with potential changes recommended to the full Legislature as soon as 2021. It is fair to say that there will be significant changes to how local governments budget property taxes in the coming years.

I want to thank all the county officials who traveled to Boise to attend the hearing and provide testimony. Please continue meeting with your legislators to discuss the unique circumstances of your county. Also, stay tuned to legislative calendars as we’ve reached the point in the Session where bills quickly move through the legislative process.