LEGISLATURE AIMS TO REFINE INITIATIVE PROCESS

Lawmakers are once again considering changes to Idaho’s voter initiative process, though not the ones attempted last year. Rather than upping the number of signatures or districts needed to qualify an initiative for the ballot, House Bill 548 and Senate Bill 1350—each approved by their respective chamber last week—make adjustments to how those signatures are gathered and how initiatives are prepared and presented to voters.

Text, Legislation, House, SenateLogan FinneyMarch 3, 2020Idaho State Capitol Ballot Initiative, Jim Addis, Patti Anne Lodge, Wendy Horman, Division of Financial Management, Secretary of State, Republicans, Michelle Stennett, Brent Hill, Reclaim Idaho, Democrats

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.

Text, House, LegislationLogan FinneyFebruary 5, 2020Idaho State Capitol Elections, Heather Scott, Property Tax, Ryan Kerby, Julianne Young, Wendy Horman, Lori Den Hartog, Budget