With the narrowest of margins, 18-17, the Senate has passed HB 75, the bill to remove Idaho’s sales tax from prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. “Idaho is one of only six states to tax glasses and contacts, and it is the only (prescription) medical device...
After years of debate, lawmakers have sent legislation limiting children’s use of artificial tanning beds to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk. HB 177 passed the Senate this evening on a 23-12 vote. Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, said it matches the restrictions on tanning beds, which are...
The Idaho Education Network’s contractors have filed tort claims with the state, demanding millions in back payments on the voided broadband contract, Idaho Education News reports. Education Networks of America, the lead contractor on the beleaguered project, is seeking roughly $6 million, reports Idaho EdNews…
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the news out of JFAC this morning: That savings have mounted even further from dumping the Idaho Education Network in favor of individual broadband contracts between school districts and vendors of their choice; and lawmakers...
Souza Freshman Sen. Mary Souza’s bill to require school board candidates to report campaign finances has cleared the Senate on a 24-11 vote, and now heads to the House side. The bill, SB 1072a, was amended earlier to remove an emergency clause, “so that it…
SB 1108, to authorize the testing of driverless cars on Idaho highways, has passed the Senate on a razor-thin 18-17 margin, and now moves to the House side. “I believe this legislation strikes a balance between protecting public safety and encouraging innovation,” said Senate Transportation...
The instant racing hearing has wrapped up after 14 people testified today, two for, 11 against, and the final person, Racing Commission management assistant Ardie Noyes, just offering information. “We did everything that we’ve been asked to do,” she told the lawmakers. “We’re working with…
Idaho’s Department of Correction, under new director Kevin Kempf, has announced a major reorganization, including shifting 15 positions to the agency’s “front lines,” including to serve as probation and parole officers. “Every position in central office was defined by the question: Does this position have…
House State Affairs Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, said there are still about 10 people signed up to testify; he hopes to get through all of them today, with just half an hour left. The committee won’t vote today, he said; that’ll come “later next week.”
Testimony is continuing this morning in the Lincoln Auditorium on SB 1011, the bill to repeal instant racing in Idaho. So far, seven people have testified in two hours, seven against and two for. Opponents include John Sheldon, president of Treasure Valley Racing, operator of…
Legislative budget writers have trimmed $6.25 million out of the governor’s proposed budget for the Permanent Building Fund, which Gov. Butch Otter proposed as a cash transfer from the general fund to the building fund for alteration and repair projects on state buildings across the…
Legislative budget analysts have gone over the final figures for school districts’ short-term broadband contracts for the rest of the current school year, compared to costs under the defunct Idaho Education Network, and they show that a 37 percent decrease in cost. The cost per...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
