From the Executive Director – Week of January 15, 2024
With the first week of the 2024 Legislative Session in the books, expect bill introductions to pick up over the next couple of weeks. While significant legislation impacting counties has yet to be introduced, bills regarding investigations of county officials (H0390), limiting public health district authority (H0392), and limitations on vacating public roads providing access …
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IAC Advocating for Five 2024 Legislative Priorities
As the 2024 Idaho Legislative Session gets into full swing, we want to remind our IAC members about the legislative priorities set for the year. Hospital Property Tax Exemption: The IAC supports reinstating the board of county commissioner’s annual hospital property tax exemption review process and adding a charitable requirement back into the exemption qualifications. …
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Summary of Gov. Little’s State of the State Address 2024
Governor Little Launches Idaho Works Initiative: Highlights Infrastructure Funding, Fiscal Conservatism in State of the State. In recent years, Governor Little and the Legislature have championed investments in infrastructure without raising taxes or fees. This year is no different. Governor Little said, “I’m here to attest to the historic investment the Legislature has provided for …
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From the Executive Director – Week of January 08, 2024
As the 2024 Legislative Session kicks off in Boise under a blanket of much needed snow, there is plenty to monitor. To help the members stay on top of everything in Boise, IAC is rolling out a new bill tracker and legislative alert tool (member notification) powered by FastDemocracy as well as an updated IAC …
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House Bill 236 and Next Steps
Governor Little recently held a ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 236, capping off a two-session process to transition from a county-based public defense system to a state-based public defense system. While House Bill 236 was actually signed in March, the Governor wanted to recognize the efforts of county officials and public defenders in coming …
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 …
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What to Watch: Week of March 20, 2023
While the 2023 Legislative Session is winding down, we are still tracking bills here, including House Bill 292 (property tax relief), House Bill 236 (public defense reform), and Senate Concurrent Resolution 101 (Support for EMS Sustainability Taskforce). Seth Grigg discusses H292 and H236 in his From the Executive Director article this week, so I am …
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 …
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What to Watch: Week of March 13, 2023
This week, we have three bills that we are tracking very closely. Two are bills that we support, regarding public defense and vape tax, and one is a bill that we oppose. Last Thursday, the State Public Defender Act (House Bill 236) passed the House. It is scheduled for a full hearing in Senate Judiciary …
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 …
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