WEEK EIGHT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Week of February 28 - March 4, 2022
The eighth week of the Sixty-Sixth Idaho Legislature's Second Regular Session brought with it the start of the third, and hopefully final, month of the session. Committees continued working hard to get bills sent to the Floor and on their way across the rotunda ahead of the looming transmittal deadline. We also saw a series of bills debated in contested, lengthy floor sessions and committee hearings, many more new bills get introduced, and even a chance to celebrate Idaho Day and former Gov. Phil Batt’s Birthday. With the candidate filing period now open, and billions of dollars in appropriations now being debated before the end of the session, the Idaho Legislature is now at full speed and hoping the wheels do not come off before they are done working to finish the session.
This week also brought the introduction of the long-awaited and much talked about property tax cut and sales tax increase bill. The bill was introduced in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee in a print hearing Friday where the massive 41-page bill was discussed and questioned for over 30 minutes – this is a process that traditionally takes only a few moments. As policymakers grapple with collywobbles over the concepts presented in the bill, they are also now faced with reading, understanding, and deciding to agree with or oppose the longest bill of the session with only a few days’ notice. The many provisions of the bill were discussed generally but all the moving parts left the committee confused, concerned, and left facing a tight deadline to get the bill to the Senate ahead of the transmittal date next week if they agree. This could result in a full hearing early next week on the largest and most sweeping piece of tax policy in generations.
Several social issues, COVID-19, and dozens of election-related bills have also been working through the process. Often these bills, in addition to other hotly contested policies about education, healthcare, transportation, taxes, and the proper role of government create lengthy committee hearings and even longer floor debates. This can cause fatigue and create friction between otherwise friendly legislators. Conflicts like this are a natural product of the legislative process but also creates challenges for working with policymakers who are now in fighting with each other on multiple issues. It becomes an emotional, and at times personal, a process that can quickly turn an otherwise simple policy into a hostage to be bartered for votes on another.
On Thursday, Governor Brad Little held the “Operation Esto Perpetua” press conference – the press release can be found here. “Operation Esto Perpetua” was kicked off as a response to the growing fentanyl and meth problem in Idaho. There has been a large increase in the availability of these dangerous substances at a low cost. Governor Little noted he wants to make Idaho the least desired state for drug trafficking to occur. The operation will include a Law Enforcement Panel with several representatives of law enforcement in Idaho. A Citizens Action Group on Fentanyl has also been formed. This operation aims to increase enforcement and take a multi-solution approach to prevention. To do all this, Governor Little is requesting a one-time, $250,000 appropriation from the General Fund. The Governor urged citizens to share their thoughts and stories with the panels and with his office.
Despite the drama, politics, and personalities, many good policies have worked their way through the process and been signed into law by the Governor. Appropriations are moving fast out of JFAC and working through the floor process. Once example of this is the massive transportation supplemental with a price tag of $210 million. This bill passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the House.
As we push towards the end of the session, we still have several weeks to finish our work. The days get even longer and more challenging. The efforts of the last year come to fruition and the fatigue sets in, but we remain committed and vigilant as we serve you. We will continue to work hard through the rest of session and again want to thank you for your trust in us.