Hidden Gems: Celebrate National County Government Month this April

Help us celebrate National County Government Month by showcasing your county’s hidden gems all month long! National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. We invite you to take this opportunity to promote the important programs and services your county offers. You can use social media to show …

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 …

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 …

What to Watch: Week of March 6, 2023

For years now, the Idaho Association of Counties has supported the taxation of vape products, creating a parody with the tax of tobacco products and, more importantly, providing additional funding for youth prevention and awareness of the dangers of vaping. This was an IAC priority in 2022 and again this year. With the introduction of …

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 …

IAC Legislative Committee Meets in Person this March

Members of IAC’s Legislative Committee met today in downtown Boise for their hybrid meeting to discuss updates on the 2023 Legislative Package that includes IGA-06 Preliminary Levy Rate, Vape Tax – H0199, and H0085 – DMV Title Fees, among others. They also focused on new business, where public defense, the broadband equipment exemption, and others …

What to Watch: Week of February 27, 2023

  Tomorrow, we expect House Bill 150 to receive a hearing in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. The IAC Legislative Committee chose to take an opposed position to H0150. The following are talking points that can be used when discussing with House Members why IAC opposes the bill. – According to Idaho Session Laws, …

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 …