HB 616, sponsored by Reps. Mike Moyle, R-Star, and Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, to limit local improvement districts from undertaking big projects without a vote or a petition from property owners has passed the House on a 42-23 vote. Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, said his experience serving as president of a sewer district suggested to him that the bill could impede sewer project LIDs in the future. "There are issues around lakes where sewer districts are formed for people to be able to enjoy their property," Anderson told the House, and said he'd never heard of a clause like one in the bill that required two-thirds of property owners in the district to sign a petition - even if they're not Idaho or district residents. But he was in the minority.

Moyle told the House, "If we want local control I'm OK with that, but give the people a chance to have a say, too," particularly "when they take these grander ideas like they do here in Boise, where we're going to go out and build these Charlie cars." He was referring to a controversial Boise streetcar proposal that prompted the bill. The measure now moves to the Senate.