Category Archives: Headlines

House bill would eliminate state subsidy of drivers’ training

The House Education Committee passed H314 Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Steve Thayn, R-Emmett, aims to stop subsidizing drivers’ education programs at public schools. Currently, the average cost to enroll at school-sponsored drivers’ training programs is around $125 after … Continue reading

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Public records bill moves on to Idaho Senate

A bill to tighten Idaho’s public records bill has passed the Idaho House and now heads to the Senate for consideration. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Gayle Batt, R-Wilder, cleared on a 67-0 vote. The bill would require that government … Continue reading

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Senate approves new primary plan with party registration

The Idaho Senate approved a new primary election system that could limit voting in the Republican primary to registered Republican voters. The legislation requires the state to start asking voters to register as members of a political party or as … Continue reading

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Without federal money, insurance appropriation passes Idaho House

Less than a week after being pulled back into the budget committee, an appropriation for the Idaho Department of Insurance has passed the Idaho House.  The bill is slightly leaner, however, because $2.5 million in federal health care reform money … Continue reading

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House moves to prevent double-charging on Canyon County auto registrations

The Idaho House has approved a bill that would prevent some citizens from being double-charged for their auto registrations due to failure of emissions testing. The measure passed the House on a 57-10 vote. Floor sponsor Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, … Continue reading

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House sends latest anti-health reforms legislation to the Senate

It took them a while to do it, but members of the Idaho House have voted to approve a bill that would prevent implementation of certain aspects of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The bill, sponsored … Continue reading

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Anti-abortion bill passes House committee along party lines

Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, is the sponsor of S 1165, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. He spoke in favor of the bill before a House committee Wednesday considering the legislation. The bill would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks … Continue reading

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House committee finally advances renewable energy rebate bill

It looks as if the battle over the merits of a tax credit for renewable energy is nearing an end. Members of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would give the sales tax rebate to … Continue reading

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Party registration and closed primary plan moves forward

An Idaho Senate committee approved legislation requiring voters to declare themselves to be Republicans, Democrats, members of other parties, or unaffiliated. That designation could then limit their access to primary election ballots. The full Senate is expected to vote on … Continue reading

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Push for greater compliance with Internet sales tax killed Wednesday

Members of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee killed a measure Wednesday aimed at encouraging Idahoans to pay their  share of sales taxes on purchases made over the Internet. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, would have made … Continue reading

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