April 12, 2019 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die April 11. During the 95-day legislative session, lawmakers passed bills amending state lobbying and campaign finance laws and passed a Medicaid budget bill to fund an expansion of the program. The session was longer […]
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The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die April 11.
During the 95-day legislative session, lawmakers passed bills amending state lobbying and campaign finance laws and passed a Medicaid budget bill to fund an expansion of the program.
The session was longer than expected as lawmakers failed to pass a bill to extend administrative rules set to expire July 1.
The governor may reinstate temporary administrative rules, or a special session may be called to resolve the issue at a later date.
The statutory requirement to file monthly reports when the Legislature is in session will end with the report due May 15.
April 5, 2019 •
Idaho Governor Signs Campaign Finance Law
Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1113 on April 3, amending state campaign finance law, effective January 1, 2020. The bill revises the definitions of candidate, election, electioneering communication, political committee, and public office. Senate Bill 1113 raises the registration […]
Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1113 on April 3, amending state campaign finance law, effective January 1, 2020.
The bill revises the definitions of candidate, election, electioneering communication, political committee, and public office.
Senate Bill 1113 raises the registration threshold for political committees from $500 to $1000 while providing for a special provision for local elections and measures.
The bill requires candidates and political committees to file statements on a monthly basis during election years and annually during non-election years.
Senate Bill 1113 also amends late filing fees to accrue 48 hours after the deadline and requires the secretary of state or county clerk to notify the person within 24 hours of the missed filing deadline.
April 5, 2019 •
Idaho Governor Signs Bill Amending Lobbying Law
On April 3, Gov. Brad Little signed a bill amending state lobbying laws. Effective July 1, Senate Bill 1153 removes the lobbyist’s employer signature requirement from reports filed by lobbyists. A designated contact is required upon registration for electronic notification. […]
On April 3, Gov. Brad Little signed a bill amending state lobbying laws.
Effective July 1, Senate Bill 1153 removes the lobbyist’s employer signature requirement from reports filed by lobbyists.
A designated contact is required upon registration for electronic notification.
Senate Bill 1153 also provides a definition for lobbyist’s client.
The client is the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is acting, directly or indirectly, as a contractor.
Additionally, the client is further defined as someone who compensates the lobbyist or lobbyist’s employer for acting as a lobbyist.
November 7, 2018 •
Lt. Governor Brad Little Takes Idaho’s Governor’s Race
Longtime Republican lawmaker and Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little has defeated Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan by a margin of 59.5 percent to 38.4 percent to become Idaho’s next governor. Jordan, a former state lawmaker and member of the Coeur d’Alene […]
Longtime Republican lawmaker and Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little has defeated Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan by a margin of 59.5 percent to 38.4 percent to become Idaho’s next governor.
Jordan, a former state lawmaker and member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, was the first woman to earn her party’s nomination in Idaho. Even though there was significant national media attention given to Jordan, Little’s win was predictable in this intensely conservative state.
Little has been lieutenant governor since 2009 and ran on a platform to carry on retiring Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s policies that lead to the state’s recent growth.
“Twenty-four years ago Phil Batt broke a 24-year cycle of Democrats having control of the governor’s office,” Little said during his victory speech Tuesday night before a packed room of cheering supporters.
“This is the 24th anniversary of that and Idaho is still a very red state. I look forward to working with President Trump as we continue to allow Idahoans to be the masters of their own destiny,” he said.
“Idaho has been fairly successful, but we have more work to do in taking back the authority that the federal government over the years has taken, whether it is in the areas of education, transportation, health care, public lands management and all of the areas of regulation.”
July 19, 2018 •
Idaho Legislative Committee Considering Campaign Finance Reforms
A bipartisan panel of state lawmakers are considering campaign finance reform proposals to introduce at the next legislative session. The panel is considering extending campaign finance reporting requirements to local elections, increasing the frequency of reporting, and posting collected information […]
A bipartisan panel of state lawmakers are considering campaign finance reform proposals to introduce at the next legislative session.
The panel is considering extending campaign finance reporting requirements to local elections, increasing the frequency of reporting, and posting collected information on a single database for public access.
The panel will meet again in the fall to finalize the legislative proposals and decide which bills to introduce in January.
March 29, 2018 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns 2018 Legislative Session
On March 28, the Idaho Legislature adjourned its 2018 legislative session. The adjournment process was revised following a lawsuit over a veto last year. Lawmakers stayed in the capital an additional five days to preserve the right to override any […]
On March 28, the Idaho Legislature adjourned its 2018 legislative session.
The adjournment process was revised following a lawsuit over a veto last year.
Lawmakers stayed in the capital an additional five days to preserve the right to override any vetoes from the governor.
Bills passed include reductions to personal and corporate income tax rates, new K-12 public school science standards, and the codifying of existing stand your ground case laws.
November 29, 2017 •
Idaho Working Group Approves Potential Changes to Campaign Finance Laws
A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws. Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered […]
A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws.
Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered and disclose the source of their funds, and increase potential fines from $250 to up to $25,000. Additionally, use of the internet and social media would be included in the definition of electioneering communications.
The bill will be introduced during the 2018 legislative session.
The group declined to take up the issue of raising the lobbyist registration fee, not wanting to jeopardize the bill’s success. Member’s stated raising the fee is a legitimate concern and should be examined during the session.
The current $10 per client fee has not increased since 1974, when the lobbying statute first became law.
November 29, 2017 •
Idaho Working Group Approves Potential Changes to Campaign Finance Laws
A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws. Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered […]
A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws.
Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered and disclose the source of their funds, and increase potential fines from $250 to up to $25,000. Additionally, use of the internet and social media would be included in the definition of electioneering communications.
The bill will be introduced during the 2018 legislative session.
The group declined to take up the issue of raising the lobbyist registration fee, not wanting to jeopardize the bill’s success. Member’s stated raising the fee is a legitimate concern and should be examined during the session.
The current $10 per client fee has not increased since 1974, when the lobbying statute first became law.
August 30, 2017 •
Idaho Secretary of State Suggests Changes to Ethics and Campaign Finance Laws
Following suggestions from a working group of the legislature, Sec. of State Lawerence Denney presented a series of ethics and campaign finance draft bills to improve the state’s public disclosure system. The suggested changes include limiting PACs from accepting more […]
Following suggestions from a working group of the legislature, Sec. of State Lawerence Denney presented a series of ethics and campaign finance draft bills to improve the state’s public disclosure system.
The suggested changes include limiting PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from other PACs unless the contributing PAC is registered with the state, removing an exception for local election reporting, increasing the frequency of campaign finance reporting, and requiring lobbyists to report all year, rather than only while the legislature is in session. Increasing fines for reporting violations is also on the table.
With ample funding available, the Sec. of State’s office would also like to see major improvements to the online reporting system. Critics are concerned increased reporting would be too burdensome and dissuade citizens from getting involved in the political process.
March 30, 2017 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns 2017 Session
The Idaho Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session sine die on March 29, 2017. Major issues of this year’s session included proposed income tax cuts and funding for public schools. A handful of legislators will work through the interim on […]
The Idaho Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session sine die on March 29, 2017.
Major issues of this year’s session included proposed income tax cuts and funding for public schools.
A handful of legislators will work through the interim on updating the state’s public school funding formula. Many argue it is outdated and does not meet the needs of a modern education.
July 7, 2016 •
Idaho Ballot Initiative Group Fails to Collect Enough Signatures
An attempt to place an initiative on the November ballot to overhaul state campaign finance and ethics regulations has failed. The Keep Idaho Elections Accountable campaign, chaired by Democrat Holli Woodings, failed to collect the 48,000 signatures needed, coming up […]
An attempt to place an initiative on the November ballot to overhaul state campaign finance and ethics regulations has failed.
The Keep Idaho Elections Accountable campaign, chaired by Democrat Holli Woodings, failed to collect the 48,000 signatures needed, coming up roughly 6,000 short. The initiative would have changed contribution limits, created stricter penalties for violations, and prohibited lobbyists from giving gifts valued at more than $50.
The group collected 79,000 signatures, but many were disqualified due to a lack of a current address.
April 25, 2016 •
Former Idaho Lawmaker Pushes for Ethics Changes
Former state lawmaker Holli Woodings is leading the campaign for a voter initiative to make large-scale changes to state ethics laws. Changes would include prohibiting political contributions from state contractors as well as cutting contribution limits across the board, banning […]
Former state lawmaker Holli Woodings is leading the campaign for a voter initiative to make large-scale changes to state ethics laws. Changes would include prohibiting political contributions from state contractors as well as cutting contribution limits across the board, banning gifts of more than $50 from lobbyists, and creating a one-year revolving door provision for public officers.
Having collected the required 48,000 signatures in less than two months, Woodings hopes the measure will appear on the November 2016 ballot. Signature collection will continue to be sure enough valid signatures have been gathered before the April 30 deadline.
April 15, 2016 •
Idaho Overhauls Purchasing Procedures with New Law
Gov. Butch Otter signed a procurement bill into law late last month, overhauling how the state makes purchases. House Bill 538 repeals existing statutes in favor of a completely new chapter, dubbed the State Procurement Act. The Act requires training […]
Gov. Butch Otter signed a procurement bill into law late last month, overhauling how the state makes purchases.
House Bill 538 repeals existing statutes in favor of a completely new chapter, dubbed the State Procurement Act. The Act requires training for state officers and employees, including ethics training, and modernizes purchasing procedures.
The new law takes effect July 1, 2016.
March 26, 2016 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 25, 2016. Lawmakers agreed to a 7.4 percent increase in the education budget, but did not pass a tax cut proposal or Medicaid expansion. Photo of the Idaho State Capitol by […]
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 25, 2016.
Lawmakers agreed to a 7.4 percent increase in the education budget, but did not pass a tax cut proposal or Medicaid expansion.
Photo of the Idaho State Capitol by Maxbatt in Wikimedia Commons.
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