Legislative Update

By State House Rep. John Vander Woude, Dist. 21
This week at the Idaho legislature we are still working through the issue of annexation. Previously, HB0524 was introduced into the House State Affairs Committee. Within the last week it has been revised and was presented as a routing slip to the House State Affiars Committee. The revised bill still states that there must be an instrument of consent to annexation. Currently the bill is sitting in the House Local Government Committee.

I am also a member of the House Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. On Wednesday, H0482 was presented to the committee dealing with air quality emissions, and is currently being held in committee. The purpose of this bill provides authority to the Department of Environmental Quality to establish a vehicle emission testing and maintenance program. Currently, District 21 already has emissions testing with a maximum cost of $15 per test which is administered by the Air Quality Board.

H0482 currently has unknowns that could negatively affect District 21. In one case, the required testing could be expected every six months, whereas we are currently on an annual basis. With the passing of this bill also brings potential for a complete overhaul of the current system, and that could amount to a lot of unneccessary spending. I understand the reasons for emissions testing and the benefit that it provides to our local valley and the nation as a whole, however, I am uncomfortable with the unknowns of this bill. When these questions are answered, we will have a better understanding of the ramification of H0482 and its affect on District 21.

What I am doing for you: my bills

HB0439, Income Tax Credit - Groceries (read full bill text here)

This bill has been printed and is currently in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. This bill would provide for income tax credits or refunds for certain resident individuals to offset the cost of sales tax on groceries.

Other important bills for District 21

HB0482, Air Quality Emissions (read full bill text here)

This bill is currently in the House Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. This bill provides authority to the Department of Environmental Quality to establish a vehicle emission testing and maintenance program.

HB0524, Relating to Annexation (read full bill text here)

This bill was presented, revised and has again been presented to the House State Affairs Committee as a routing slip. This bill deals with the clarification of annexation, and implied consent.