Idaho Commerce Director Jeff Sayer’s new business incentive legislation cleared the House Revenue & Taxation Committee this morning, with just one “no” vote, from Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, and now moves to the full House for debate. Patterned after a Utah law, the bill would allow the state to consider rebating up to 30 percent of a company’s corporate income tax, sales tax and payroll tax if it brings in certain numbers of high-paying new jobs. The credit would be available to existing as well as new companies, and projects would qualify only if they bring a minimum of 20 new jobs to a rural area or 50 to an urban area; and if the new jobs pay higher than the typical wage in the county.

Testimony in favor of the bill, HB 546, came from IACI, the Idaho Chamber Alliance, and economic development groups. The lone opponent was Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. “We’re excited about the support we’re getting and the momentum that’s building,” Sayer said after the meeting. “We think it’s standing up under scrutiny.”