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 …
Continue reading “2023 Legislative Session a Success for Counties”
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 …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director – March 20, 2023”
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 …
Continue reading “House Revenue & Taxation Advance Property Tax Relief Package”
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 …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of March 6, 2023”
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 …
Continue reading “IAC Legislative Committee Meets in Person this March”
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, …