JFAC members were at odds this morning over a $6,900 difference in a budget proposal for the Idaho Secretary of State's office for next year, for travel funds for the four members of the Commission on Uniform Laws to attend an annual conference this year in Nashville, at which uniform codes for things like limited partnerships and limited liability corporations will be written. Rep. Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell, initially proposed zero-funding the $11,900 request for the trip, which matches Gov. Butch Otter's recommendation. Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, initially proposed $5,000 in funding to cover registration fees and airfare, leaving the volunteer commissioners to cover their own hotel and meals. Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, said, "These are volunteer people. ... These four commissioners spend hours and hours reviewing and trying to make sure that our laws are somewhat competitive with others, looking at the advantages of them. I just really struggle with us not even paying their hotel. To me that's just such an injustice to them."

So Jaquet proposed the full amount for the trip, and Mortimer seconded the motion. Bolz then proposed Jaquet's original plan, with $5,000 for the trip; he noted that the state hasn't funded the trip since 2009, and then it was only for $5,000. Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, then proposed funding the full $11,900 for the trip, but reducing the $430,000 allocated for this year's election costs by $60,000, to reflect HB 391, which has passed both houses, to eliminate the presidential preference primary this year, a move that's expected to save $60,000 in election costs. "I'm splitting the baby here," Hagedorn said. Deputy Secretary of State Tim Hurst was quizzed by the committee; he said if the governor signs the bill, the office won't need the $60,000.

"I think Rep. Hagedorn's math is exactly right on," said Sen. Mitch Toryanski, R-Boise. Hagedorn's proposal then passed the joint committee on a 16-3 vote.

Next, Rep. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, tried to slice out $125,000 in dedicated funds from the budget for the Office of the State Board of Education for a remodeling project, to remove asbestos and improve a part of the agency's office space.  "I think they've been doing fine the way they are," Patrick, said. "I see no reason to create a nicer and better office space for the State Board when the colleges and universities are not able to do the same." But his motion died on a 9-9 tied vote; the budget then passed 15-3 with the remodel included.