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 that is taxed,” said Sen. Steve Vick R-Dalton Gardens, the bill’s Senate sponsor. “All HB 75 does is treat glasses and contacts like every other medical device. It is clear, consistent tax policy and it deserves your yes vote.”

No one debated against the bill, but Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, rose to explain his vote. He said he thought the bill was “good policy,” but said, “I think roads and education are higher priorities for me in this year’s budget. … I’m going to have to vote no on this one.”

Today’s Senate passage sends the bill to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk; it earlier passed the House, 57-12. The tax exemption would cost the state’s general fund an estimated $1.4 million next year, when the tax would be removed from glasses, and $2.84 million the following year, when contacts would be added.

Here's how the vote broke down:

Voting in favor: Sens. Bayer, Buckner-Webb, Burgoyne, DenHartog, Guthrie, Hagedorn, Johnson, Jordan, Keough, Martin, Nonini, Nuxoll, Patrick, Souza, Stennett, Tippets, Vick, and Ward-Engelking.

Voting against: Sens. Bair, Brackett, Cameron, Davis, Heider, Hill, Lacey, Lakey, Lee, Lodge, McKenzie, Mortimer, Rice, Schmidt, Siddoway, Thayn, and Winder.