Legislative Update: Week 10, Session on Pause?

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Week 10: New Legislation & Updates

EMPLOYMENT & TAXES
New Legislation: This week, House Bill 332 was introduced by Rep. Steven Harris (R-Meridian), passed out of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, and filed for second reading. This tax relief bill proposes to reduce all income tax brackets and set the top bracket to 6.5%, retroactive to January 2021. It also provides a one-time, nontaxable income tax rebate to Idaho taxpayers.

Update: This week, House Bill 291 was passed by the House, 54-14-2. Sponsored by Rep. Brent J. Crane (R-Nampa), HB.291 would create a Business Bill of Rights to protect businesses and business owners from being forced to close during emergencies. The legislation would prevent the revoking of business licenses by government entities and protect against excessive fees to be placed on businesses.

Read The Full Week 10 Update

Legislative Session Put on Pause:

Last week on Friday, March 19th, the legislature began a two-week recess from the legislative session that was expected to end within the next week.COVID-19, the virus that has interrupted numberless daily activities, is again the cause of the disruption. Six members of the Idaho House of Representatives have tested positive for COVID-19, spurring the decision to recess until noon of April 6th, 2021.

Although this means that important work on bills to limit the governor’s power, protect Idaho families, and preserve our rights has paused, this also gives Idahoans more time to make their voices heard on paramount issues that will be the center of attention once again when session resumes in April.

We urge you to act now by taking this opportunity to review the legislation currently being considered (a report on the past week’s activity is included in this email) and take part in “government of the people, by the people, for the people” by writing an email to your legislators letting them know your position on these important issues.

Have you checked out our "Contact your State Officials" tool?

With this tool, you can easily reach out to your Senators and Representatives with a simple click of a button. We highly encourage you to keep in contact with your State Officials during this legislative session. Let them know how you feel about legislation and share your appreciation for their hard work.

Contact Your State Officials Tool

Legislative Progress Report:
Week 10 (as of 03.19.2021)

Legislation

New legislation prepared: 794
Changes, amendments, and engrossment: 172
Total legislation: 966

Introductions

Bills: 539
Resolutions, Memorials, Proclamations (both houses): 36

Action

Bills passed (both houses): 144
Bills awaiting signatures: 61
Bills signed by Governor: 83
Law without Governor signature: 0
Resolutions, Memorials adopted: 6

Bills Passed by Chamber (and pending in the other)

Senate: 85
House of Representatives: 115

View the full report HERE.

Support Our Efforts!

“It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”
– Samuel Adams

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The Madison Liberty Institute is an independent research and educational organization whose mission is to promote the founding principles of the American republic, free-market solutions, and “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Our vision is a freer, more prosperous future. One where our neighbors and future leaders understand and champion the virtues and institutions that create a more harmonious society and protect our rights to life, liberty, property, conscience, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Madison Liberty Institute, PO Box 22, Rexburg, Idaho 83440

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