Thank You to This Week's Sponsor
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Limiting Taxing Districts Budgets |
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SB1108 was introduced in the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee this week.
This legislation amends existing laws to revise provisions regarding a taxing district's budget limitations.
The legislation changes the formula for growth of property tax budgets for taxing districts.
On Thursday, the committee heard testimony overwhelmingly against the bill from Mayors, fire officials and other local governments and districts. They stated that the bill would hinder fast-growing communities and prevent growth from paying for itself.
The committee voted 6-3 to pass the bill on to the full Senate.
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Keep it Local Idaho Group
Releases Video on How to Lower Property Taxes
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A second video has been released by the group Keep it Local Idaho.
The video shares information on property tax relief using the online sales tax bucket.
Take a look and see how cities, counties and highway districts provide services.
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Transportation Funding
HB 133
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Transportation funding bills are starting to appear. HB 133 is one of the first pieces of legislation brought forward by Representative Joe Palmer, House Transportation and Defense chairman and co-sponsored by Senator Lori Den Hartog, Senate Transportation chairman.
This legislation amends the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) Program to provide for additional funds for Idaho’s roads and bridges. It increases the 1% sales tax already used to bond for TECM projects to 3%, but not less than $45 million, for bonding purposes. It also allows for local governments to participate in bonding for projects. Finally, it increases the fees for issuing automobile titles.
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Highway Districts Visit the Capitol |
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On Thursday, Highway District Commissioners and staff held their annual Day at the Capitol. They had appointments with their local legislators and even enjoyed some time with Governor Little discussing local road issues.
In 1911, the Legislature established highway districts to improve and maintain local roads within their jurisdiction. This act, known as the Highway District Law of the State of Idaho, outlines the responsibilities, requirements, and funding for highway districts, commissioners, and employees (Ch. 55, § 1, 1911 Idaho Sess. Laws 121, 122).
Today, the Gem State has a total of 63 highway districts that oversee supervision of over 12,000 miles of road. Each highway district is responsible to plan, design, construct, preserve, and maintain roads and bridges within their jurisdiction that are not under control of a state agency such as an incorporated city, or federal control.
The Day at the Capitol was organized by the Idaho Association of Highway Districts, a non profit organization dedicated to the improvement of highway districts.
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Open Load Truck Coverings
HB 159
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HB 159 sponsored by Representative Greg Ferch, removes current exceptions to Idaho code 49-613 addressing the covering of open loads.
The language being removed is: "Covering of such loads is not required if six (6) inches of freeboard is maintained. And, "The provisions of subsections (5) and (6) of this section shall not apply to a government, quasi-government, their agents or employees or contractors thereof, in performance of maintenance or construction of a highway.
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Truck Weights Legislation
Removal of Sunset Clause
HB 160
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HB 160 was introduced this week that amends existing law to remove a provision regarding certain optional charges related to technical review and to remove certain sunset provisions from session laws.
The Statement of Purpose explains it very well.
"The Legislature, at its 2019 annual session, enacted legislation that established new processes and fees for local authorities (defined as every county, highway district, municipal and other local board or body having authority over local highways and streets) and the Idaho Transportation Department to designate routes and issue permits allowing vehicles with gross weights between 105,501 Gross Vehicle Weight and 129,000 Gross Vehicle Weight to access highway and streets under their jurisdictions."
"The 2019 legislation contained sunset clauses that were effective on June 30, 2021. The reason for the sunset clauses was to allow interested parties the opportunity to determine the effectiveness of the processes and fees contained in the legislation. All interested parties have now concluded that the legislation is effective and appropriate. Accordingly, they have requested this legislation to remove the sunset clauses."
"This legislation also provides that applicants seeking designated routes for such vehicles no longer must pay a special five thousand ($5,000) fee to local authorities for technical analyses by such authorities. It also increases the dollar amount for grants to local authorities for technical analyses from five thousand ($5,000) to ten thousand ($10,000) dollars."
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Eliminating Local Jurisdiction
For Off Highway Vehicles
HB 164
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On Monday HB 164 was introduced. The bill amends existing law to provide that local jurisdictions shall not have authority to regulate off-highway vehicle traffic on sections of highway under their jurisdiction. The purpose of this bill is to eliminate the option now in law for local jurisdictions to limit or prohibit the use of off-highway vehicles on public roads.
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Idaho Association of Counties
Releases 2020 Annual Report
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The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) has released their 2020 annual report. IAC promotes county interests, encourages ethical behavior, advocates good public policy on behalf of Idaho counties, supports best practices, and provides education and training to assist Idaho county officials in performance of public service. |
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Maintaining Idaho Roads and Bridges
Track Bills That Make a Difference
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Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding limitations on taxing district budgets |
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Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding professional service contracts. |
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Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding a taxing district’s budget limitations. |
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Adds to existing law to provide for the protection of certain monuments and memorials. |
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Adds to existing law to provide a sales tax rebate on certain road construction materials. |
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Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding construction and maintenance of railroad grade crossings. |
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Amends existing law regarding sidewalks to allow for wider sidewalks or side paths if necessary. |
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Amends existing law to provide for new state and local transportation funding sources through a sales tax adjustment, a certificate of title fee adjustment, and through certain local funding opportunities through a revised Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation Fund Program to be administered by the Idaho Transportation Department. |
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Amends existing law to require that certain vehicle loads be covered and to remove exceptions. |
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Amends existing law to remove a provision regarding certain optional charges related to technical review and to remove certain sunset provisions from session laws |
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Amends existing law to provide that local jurisdictions shall not have authority to regulate off-highway vehicle traffic on sections of highway under their jurisdiction. |
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House Transportation Committee |
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Senate Transportation Committee |
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How to Contact Your Legislator |
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There are several ways to contact your legislator.
Click the button to find out who your representative is. It's easy, just put in your address.
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Send them an email directly, or contact the Legislative Information Center. They will take a message to your legislator.
E-mail must contain the sender’s name and address. To help us forward your message appropriately, please include your legislator’s name and/or legislative district.
Phone Numbers: (session only)
Hearing Impaired: 800-626-0471
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