The House has voted 62-3 in favor of HB 286, legislation from Majority Leader Mike Moyle and the Idaho Department of Commerce to greatly expand property tax breaks that county commissioners can give out for business expansions. Currently, the tax break is only for new manufacturing plants that involve investment of $3 million or more. HB 286 would make that $500,000. It would also drop the requirement that the new investment be for a manufacturing plant; the tax break could be given out for any “non-retail commercial or industrial project.”

Moyle told the House, “It’s a great economic tool, it’s totally controlled by the locals, it’s limited to five years.” Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, said, “This bill is extremely important for the rural counties particularly. … The $3 million threshold was too high.” The three “no” votes came from Reps. Ron Nate, Heather Scott and Kathy Sims; the bill now moves to the Senate side.