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Bill Tracker

Maintaining Idaho Roads and Bridges Track Bills That Make a Difference

S1021

TAXING DISTRICT BUDGETS

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding limitations on taxing district budgets

Senate Introduces Local Government Budget Cap S1021

On Wednesday, Senator Jim Rice introduced a bill (S1021) to cap local property tax budgets to the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee. This is one of several bills recommended by a legislative interim study group. The legislation would change the current law capping local governments’ budgets at a 3% increase plus new construction and annexation each year. The new legislation would cap budgets at their highest level over the past three years plus the change in the consumer price index, up to 3%, while limiting increases for new construction. If the total property tax budget including everything rose by more than 4%, the bill would require voter approval. This legislation could have negative consequences for highway districts in their ability to maintain road infrastructure especially in fast growing areas. Follow this piece of legislation on our bill tracker and be prepared to weigh in with testimony as the bill progresses.

What's Up With H1001 And Why Do We Care?

On January 14th, the House State Affairs Committee introduced HB1. In summary, the legislation limits the length of emergency disaster declarations to a maximum of 30 days unless extended by a legislative concurrent resolution. The legislation also clarified that the governor may not alter, adjust or suspend Idaho Code during a disaster declaration. And finally, this legislation terminates all currently existing emergency disaster declarations that have existed longer than 30 days. On Wednesday, January 20th, Rep. Monks introduced a new version of HB1 that effectively killed the original bill and replaced it with a new version that seeks to give the Legislature, not the Governor, the power to extend emergency declarations that would automatically expire after 30 days. If passed, the bill would automatically end all eight emergency declarations active in the state. So, lawmakers put forward HCR 4, that would indefinitely renew six of those declarations, but not the coronavirus emergency. Those declarations stem from severe winter storms and flooding, many dating back to 2016. So, why do we care? Only the Governor of a state can request emergency disaster funds from the federal government (FEMA) after a disaster is declared. It takes a long time to evaluate the extent of the damage and receive those funds. If there were a new disaster (not covered in the current disaster declarations) that affected roads or bridges, a 30 day window for a disaster declaration would not be long enough in many circumstances. The question is, how would a new disaster declaration that needed more than 30 days be handled? To learn more about the FEMA disaster declaration process click the button.

A GUIDE TO THE DISASTER DECLARATION PROCESS AND FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Governor Little Pushes Back

On Friday, Governor Brad Little took to the airwaves to push back on the slew of disaster emergency bills currently proposed in the state legislature. Specifically, he spoke to the legislation that would end the disaster declaration pertaining to the COVID 19 pandemic, siting that cancelling that declaration severely jeopardizes Idaho and the roll out of vaccinations. Federal money to fight the COVID pandemic would end, crippling the cities, counties and hospitals efforts to fight the pandemic. He reminded citizens that Idaho has remained one of the most open states in the union. The Governor emphatically stated that this legislation was harmful to Idaho citizens and urged the state legislators to abandon undoing the emergency declaration. Major General Michael J. Garshak, Adjutant General of Idaho and the Commanding General of the Idaho National Guard spoke, siting that the loss of federal funds would jeopardize the ability of the National Guard to continue to respond with assistance in delivering the vaccinations that many health providers throughout Idaho have depended on. The Governor called on Idahoans to contact their legislator and urge them to not end this declaration.

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Watch the Governor's Press Conference

How a Bill Becomes a Law

It is sometimes difficult to understand how a bill becomes a law, what a joint or concurrent resolution is, and what rules are around a law. The official Idaho Legislature site has some great information on how a bill becomes a law. According to the site, a bill is a proposal for the enactment, amendment or repeal of an existing law, or for the appropriation of public money. A bill may originate in either the House or Senate, with the exception of revenue measures, which originate in the House of Representatives. It must be passed by a majority vote of each house of the Legislature and be signed into law by the Governor. If the Governor vetoes a bill, it can become law if the veto is overridden by a two-thirds majority of those present in each house. A bill can also become law without the Governor’s signature if it is not vetoed within five days (Sundays excepted) after presentation to the Governor. After the Legislature adjourns “sine die,” the Governor has ten days to veto or sign a bill. Before the final vote on a bill, it must be read on three separate days in each house. Two-thirds of the members of the house where the bill is pending may vote to dispense with this provision.

Find Out More Here

ITD's Share of Federal COVID-19 Emergency Relief

According to an article written by Zachary Phillips and published in Construction Drive, state departments of transportation are set to receive funds totaling $9.8 billion as a result of emergency aid from the $900 billion COVID-19 relief measure signed by President Trump December 27, 2020.  State Transportation Departments have faced severe losses in state transportation revenues as vehicle travel declined. The COVID relief bill enables state DOTs to stay on track and support the efficient movement of critical goods and services as they maintain their transportation systems. Idaho's share of these funds due to be apportioned by January 27th by the Federal Highway Administration is $71,468,685.

To Read the Full Article Click Here

House Transportation Committee

Click Here House Transportation Members

Senate Transportation Committee

Click Here Senate Transportation Members

How to Contact Your Legislator

There are several ways to contact your legislator. Click the button to find out who your representative is. It's easy, just put in your address.

Find My Legislator

Send them an email directly, or contact the Legislative Information Center. They will take a message to your legislator. E-mail: idleginfo@lso.idaho.gov (session only). E-mail must contain the sender’s name and address. To help us forward your message appropriately, please include your legislator’s name and/or legislative district. Phone Numbers: (session only) Local: 208-332-1000 Toll Free: 800-626-0471 Hearing Impaired: 800-626-0471

Upcoming Events February 18, 2021 IAHD Day at the Capitol November 8-11, 2021 State Transportation Convention-Coeur d'Alene

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