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”
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”
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”
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”
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 …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of February 27, 2023”
Halfway into the Session, Still No Consensus on Property Tax Relief As the Legislature approaches the halfway mark of the 2023 Legislative Session, there still isn’t consensus on property tax relief legislation. Both the House and Senate have been working seemingly nonstop since the session began to find a fix to rising residential property …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of February 20, 2023”
Bill Introduction Deadline in Rearview Mirror As we enter week six of the 2023 Legislative Session, the legislature is slowly picking up the pace of bill introductions. Friday marked the last day of bill introductions for non-privileged committees. With the passing of the bill introduction deadline, I researched bill introductions through the first five weeks …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of February 13, 2023”
I’d like to start by thanking all of Idaho’s county elected officials and county staff who attended last week’s IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference. Turnout from the membership was strong making for a successful event. I hope each of you had an opportunity to tour the Capitol, sit in on committee meetings, and meet with your …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of February 6, 2023”
Property Taxes, Property Taxes, Property Taxes Everyone in the Capitol is talking about property taxes, leading to a sense of urgency to finally address rising property taxes. While in previous years budget caps have been the primary means of attempting to control rising property taxes, legislators this year appear to be focusing on more targeted …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of January 23, 2023”
Legislature Convenes with a Focus on Property Taxes As the 67th Idaho Legislature convenes in Boise, property tax relief will quickly come into focus. Some legislators, like Representative Bruce Skaug (Dist. 10, Canyon and Ada Counties) and Senator Scott Grow (Dist. 14, Ada and Gem Counties) have been working with county officials on solutions to …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of January 9, 2023”