Latest news with #HouseBill362
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Idaho House narrowly passes bill banning legislators from also holding certain local elected offices
Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho House on Tuesday passed a bill to ban Idahoans elected to state or federal offices — including the Idaho Legislature — from simultaneously serving in elected city, school or highway district positions. House Bill 362, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, would automatically vacate local elected offices that officials hold when they swear into elected federal, statewide, or legislative offices. Several state legislators have served in local offices while in the Idaho Legislature, which is a part-time Legislature that typically only meets during the first few months of the year. Ehardt's bill is a modified version of a similar bill she brought last year, House Bill 497. That bill narrowly passed the House, by one vote, but did not advance in the Senate. The Idaho House passed the new bill on a wider 43-27 vote on Tuesday, after about 10 minutes of debate. Ehardt said she and several other lawmakers see the bill as addressing 'divided loyalty.' 'We really feel like if you're serving here, you should serve here,' Ehardt said. 'It also ends up creating a consolidation of power. And I don't think any of that's ever really good.' The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. To become law, Idaho bills must pass the House and Senate, and avoid the governor's veto. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Following concerns from the Idaho Association of Cities about the bill's impact on small communities, Ehardt told the House that the new bill offers several exceptions to the automatic vacancy trigger for officials from small communities, such as for elected positions in: Cities with less than 1,000 population; School districts with less than 500 students enrolled; and Highway districts 'located primarily' in a county with less than 10,000 population. If passed into law, the bill would take effect July 1, 2026. Rep. Rick Cheatum, R-Pocatello, serves on Pocatello City Council, and voted against the bill. Serving in both offices 'has been very advantageous for both the city and my service to the three counties that I serve to have the information and the knowledge that I've obtained in doing both jobs,' he told the House. 'This bill would not affect me, unless I seek re-election to City Council this next year. But I think it's wrong to carve out small cities and say 'It's OK,' and tell folks in bigger communities that 'It's not to serve both ways and give part of your life to your community,'' Cheatum said. Echoing concerns he raised in a committee hearing on the bill on Friday, Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, argued the bill violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution by treating officials differently based on numbers for small communities that lack an 'empirical justification.' 'The thing that gives me the most pause with this bill — is that we're canceling a citizen's vote. We're overriding the votes of Idahoans who are voting in a school district, highway district or city council because of some arbitrary delineation of the size of those entities,' Achilles said. 'And what that means is that this Legislature is saying 'We know better than those voters.'' As she closed debate on her bill, Ehardt pushed back on that notion. 'There's no voter suppression here. What we're actually asking is that we, as with the rest of the options, if you look through that section, we eliminate the ability to serve in different areas all the time,' she said. 'For example, you cannot serve here — and I know it's a little more extreme, you can't serve here and also serve federally.' CONTACT US At least two current Idaho state lawmakers hold local elected offices that could be affected by the bill. Rep. Cheatum serves on Pocatello City Council. And Rep. Chris Bruce, R-Kuna, serves on the Kuna City Council. Ehardt was first appointed to the Idaho Legislature in December 2017, after she lost a runoff race for Idaho Falls mayor, Local News 8 reported, and as her first term on Idaho Falls City Council was coming to an end, East Idaho News reported. She won the 2018 general election for the Legislature and is in her fifth legislative term. Some current and former lawmakers resigned from local elected offices soon after winning state legislative seats. After being elected to the Idaho Legislature in November 2022, Rep. Dan Garner, R-Clifton, resigned from the West Side school board, the Preston Citizen newspaper reported. In November 2022, newly elected Rep. Josh Wheeler, R-Ammon, resigned from Ammon City Council — after being elected to the Legislature, East Idaho News reported. That same month, newly elected Sen. Treg Bernt, R-Meridian, resigned from the Meridian City Council after being elected to the Legislature, BoiseDev reported. In 2021, Bellevue Mayor Ned Burns was appointed to the Legislature as a Democrat, KIVI-TV reported. Former Rep. Burns resigned as mayor in January 2022, the Idaho Mountain Express newspaper reported. He lost his legislative seat in the November 2024 election. Some former lawmakers have also simultaneously held local elected offices while in the Idaho Legislature. Former Rep. Thyra Stevenson, a Lewiston Republican who died in 2020, served as a city councilor while in the Legislature. Former Sen. Dan Johnson, a Republican, served as Lewiston's mayor while in the Legislature. Former Rep. Colin Nash, D-Boise, had a substitute in the Idaho Legislature in 2024 while he served on the Boise City council. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Under Idaho bill advancing to House, lawmakers couldn't hold local office simultaneously
Idaho state Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, walks away from the lectern after presenting a piece of legislation to the House State Affairs Committee on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idahoans elected to state or federal offices — including the Idaho Legislature — would be banned from simultaneously serving in elected city, school or highway district positions, under a bill state lawmakers advanced to the House on Friday. House Bill 362, by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, would automatically vacate local elected offices that officials hold when they swear into elected federal, statewide, or legislative offices. Ehardt's bill is a modified version of a similar bill she brought last year, House Bill 497. That bill narrowly passed the House, by one vote, but did not advance in the Senate. The Idaho House State Affairs Committee advanced the bill to the House floor Friday. 'This change will ensure that whoever, whatever office we're serving in, we're giving our attention to that office. We are serving … the office in which we're elected, and we are doing the best for that group of citizens — without any weighted or divided attentions,' Ehardt told the committee. Several state legislators have served in local offices while in the Idaho Legislature, which is a part-time Legislature that typically only meets during the first few months of the year. But the new bill offers several exceptions to the automatic vacancy trigger for officials from small communities, such as for elected positions in: Cities with a population of less than 1,000 people; School districts with less than 500 students enrolled; and Highway districts 'located primarily' in a county with a population less than 10,000 people. The House State Affairs Committee's two Democrats — Reps. Brooke Green, D-Boise, and Todd Achilles, D-Boise — voted against advancing the bill. Achilles argued the bill violates multiple constitutional protections and will be challenged in court. If the bill passed, he said the Legislature would lose 'the perspectives of local communities.' 'And by restricting this to certain cities or school districts or highway district based on their size, this creates an unequal application of the law, which violates the Equal Protection Clause — by treating similarly situated office holders differently based on this arbitrary definition of what is a small or a large community,' Achilles said. If passed into law, the bill would take effect July 1, 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bryan County Schools to vote on Homestead Exemption today
BRYAN COUNTY, Ga (WSAV) — Bryan County Schools will make a major decision today that could impact property taxes for thousands of homeowners. The Board of Education is set to vote on whether to opt out of the homestead exemption – a move that could raise taxes to fund the growing school district. However, not everyone is on board – with some residents voicing strong opposition. This decision has been stirring up debate across Bryan County. The School Board says opting out is necessary to fund new schools and teachers. In recent meetings, many residents have worried that raising property taxes is not the way to go. Later this morning, the Bryan County Board of Education will vote on opting out of the Homestead Exemption under House Bill 581. If approved, homeowners could see an increase in property taxes – with additional revenue going toward the rapidly growing school officials say that opting out is essential to fund new schools and hire over 300 teachers needed by 2048. They also point to budget concerns, stating that if the exemption had been in place over the past five years the district would have lost over $4 million – enough to fund 40 teachers. However, the decision sparked outrage among residents, and many worry of the financial burden on seniors and those on fixed incomes. At previous meetings, dozens of community members voiced opposition arguing the board should explore other funding options. 'We don't have a money problem, I feel like we have a spending problem,' said a Bryan County resident at a public meeting. 'We will grow to about 16,000+ students. So, you ask yourself what could more than 6,000 news kids in Bryan County schools mean? It could mean 5 new schools,' said Dr. Paul Brooksher, the Bryan County Schools Superintendent. State lawmakers have responded by introducing house bill 362 – which would nullify the school board's decision to opt out – potentially giving residents the final say in November. Despite the backlash, the school board remains firm emphasizing the need for funding to maintain educational standards amid the county's rapid growth. Overview: A potential tax hike could lead to higher property taxes. School growth needs: funds needed for new schools and over 300 teachers by 2048. State legislation: House Bill 362 could allow residents to vote on the exemption in November. The vote happening this morning is expected to draw a large crowd and could significantly impact homeowners across Bryan County. WSAV will be at the meeting this morning and will provide updates as soon as the board reaches a decision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bryan County state legislators introducing bill to lock in homestead exemption
BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – State House Representatives for Bryan County plan to introduce a local bill on Tuesday that would target the Bryan County School Board's decision to opt out of the homestead tax exemption. If passed and voted in, House Bill 362 would nullify the school board's plan to opt out, a decision many Bryan County residents have hit out against because it could potentially lead to higher taxes that go toward county schools. 'It is 581, but it's a local bill. So, if you opt out, the people will have another bite at the apple,' State Rep. Ron Stephens (GA-164). 'We've gotten a lot of calls from people who are looking for predictability on their property taxes, and this will give it to them.' H.B. 581 was the original legislation that allowed for the homestead exemption, which is essentially a cap on property taxes. Bryan County itself and several cities within the county have all decided to opt in. However, the school board has made it clear they intend to opt out, citing budget concerns for a growing school district. 'All the revenue comes back, plus a cost of living. So, there's no loss of revenue at all,' Stephens said. According to Rep. Stephens, 66% of taxes in Bryan County go towards the school system. Stephens, Rep. Jesse Petrea (GA-166), Rep. Lehman Franklin (GA-160) and Sen. Ben Watson (GA-01) are working to push the legislation through the state house and senate within the coming days. If the measure does pass, Bryan County residents will vote on it in November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House Energy Committee holds hearing on Solar for All Program
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania has federal money for a solar installation program, but lawmakers have to pass a bill for it to be used. The newly formed House Energy Committee held its first-ever public hearing on Tuesday for House Bill 362. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded $156 million to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority for the Solar for All Program in April 2024. The legislature needs to give its approval in order for the federal taxpayer dollars to be used. House Bill 362 authorizes the administration and distribution of the funds. House Energy Committee Chair Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler says despite some uncertainty from the federal government, it is important to have this hearing. 'The President has issued a number of executive orders prompting review and pausing the issuance of federal moneys for EPA programs,' says Rep. Fiedler (D) Philadelphia County. The Solar for All Program would finance solar installations for low-income households in rural, suburban and urban areas across the Commonwealth. Electricity bills would be reduced by at least 20 percent. Advocates say the program would create jobs and improve the power grid as a whole. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'In Philadelphia, we've done over 3700 rooftop solar projects and 39 percent of those are low and moderate income,' says Philadelphia Energy Authority CEO Emily Schapira. 'We find that solar is a tool for long term affordability and the more we can put that in the hands of low and moderate income households, the better. If you have no electricity bill, you're much more likely to be able to stay in your home to create generational wealth.' Republican Representative Jamie Barton of Schuylkill and Berks Counties says government policies like this are what PJM has warned could cause a grid reliability crisis, 'forcing premature closure of reliable power plants and increasing mandates for unreliable weather dependent wind and solar, why in heaven's name would we continue to invest taxpayer dollars, whether it's state or federal?' Governor Shapiro's budget speech filled with promises, gratitude, and expensive plans 'Having a solar powered home with battery storage ensures that families have a backup source of power, especially during power outages, which are more frequent in rural regions,' says Justin Mason with Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum. Republican Representative Dallas Kephart of Clearfield and Cambria Counties raised concerns about inflation, 'to inject more money into the economy itself or its going to continue to create more spending and in aggregate demand and so forth.' Rep. Fiedler says the next step is for the House to take the bill up for a vote. She says that likely won't happen until March. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
