Logan appears on air with Idaho Public Television to give an overview of what happened this year in tax legislation.

Video, LegislationLogan FinneyMarch 30, 2020Idaho Public TelevisionProperty Tax, Grocery Tax

TAX RELIEF FUNDS DIRECTED TO COVID-19 RESPONSE

On Friday, Governor Brad Little announced additional executive measures to assist Idaho’s response to the 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Through executive order, he is directing a $39.3 million transfer from the Tax Relief Fund to the Disaster Emergency Account.

What is the Tax Relief Fund?

STATEHOUSE ROUNDUP: MARCH MADNESS

Spring is in the air, and Idaho legislators are itching to wrap up and return home for the year. Their target date for the end of session has been March 20, which means bills are moving quickly at the capitol. Lawmakers are trying to push that adjournment date even earlier amid concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus.

IDAHO HOUSE MULLS TAX FREEZE AND MORE

After three days of hearings and hours of testimony from county and city officials, an Idaho House panel has approved a bill that would temporarily freeze the portions of local government budgets funded by property taxes. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved the bill last week with a do pass recommendation on a 12-3 party line vote.

The bill prohibits local governments—except for school districts—from certifying a property tax budget or levy in 2020 that exceeds the amount budgeted in 2019.

TWO BILLS ADVANCE TO LIMIT BOND ELECTIONS

Last week the Idaho House approved a bill that would affect the frequency of local bond elections, and the House State Affairs Committee takes up a second one this week.

If passed into law, House Bill 347 would prohibit taxing districts from holding a bond election for eleven months after a failed bond on the same subject. According to sponsor Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, the proposal is meant to protect voters from what she calls aggressive taxing districts.

FIRST GROCERY, PROPERTY TAX BILLS BEFORE COMMITTEE

The House Revenue & Taxation Committee is gearing up to consider this year’s tax proposals. Wednesday’s hearing saw the introduction of several bills aimed at property and grocery taxes.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that your property taxes are going to go down,” said House Majority Leader Mike Moyle. “It puts a Band-Aid on it, and it gives the opportunity for those of us in the Legislature to sit down and find out a way to proceed with this.”