The Beginning
The first day of the 68 Session of the Idaho House of Representatives began at noon January 6, 2025. The first day is filled with pomp and circumstance. The House is called to order at noon. After taking care of a few details, a3-member committee is formed to invite the Senate to a Joint Session in the House chamber. Committees are then sent to the Governor, all other state officers and the Supreme Court. In turn, the Senate sends a 3-member committee to report that the Senate is in session and that they accept the invitation for a Joint Session. The Senate members come to the House chamber, followed by the state officers, the Supreme Court Appellate judges and finally the Governor who then presents the State of the State message.
The Week
State of the State
Governor Little presented the State of the State at 1:00pm on Monday. Budget highlights included $50 million education funding, $50 million tax credit for educational choice, $361 million for highways and bridges and $100 million tax relief. There were also commitments to wildfire preparedness, aquifer recharge, state public defender and cybersecurity.
Economic Outlook Committee
The official name is “Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee” (which usually abbreviates to Economic Outlook Committee or EORAC met on January 2nd and 3rd. The purpose of this committee is to recommend a revenue number to JFAC (Joint Finance- Appropriations Committee) for the purpose of setting a budget number. We heard reports ranging from economists to business leaders to association representative regarding their outlook for this and the next fiscal year. The members each submit their estimates which are compiled to a median. The final recommendation was very near the Governor’s forecast 4.9% for FY 2026.
House Committees
I am serving as Vice Chair on JFAC (Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee), Resources and Conservation and Agricultural Affairs committees. JFAC always begins on the 2nd day of the session continues until our work is done.
HCR 2 Boise State volleyball
This is a resolution to honor and commend the Boise State University Woman’s Volleyball team for its courage and commitment in standing strongly for the integrity of women’s sports by keeping women’s sports for women only in alignment with Idaho’s ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’ and Governor Little’s executive order.
Hispanic Commission Luncheon
I attended the Hispanic Commission Luncheon where these young ladies performed traditional dances.
What’s Ahead
HJR 1 (House Joint Memorial) addresses the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. HJR1 urges the Supreme Court to reconsider the Obergefell v. Hodges decision and to return authority over marriage laws to the states and their citizens. The Idaho Constitution defines marriage in Article III Section 28:A marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.
Ed Choice– There will probably be multiple bills proposing educational choice. I expect some form of tax credit to be the funding method. The Governor has proposed $50 million in his budget for educational choice.
Grocery Tax– There will be at least one bill aimed at removing grocery tax. Sales tax on food defined by SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) generates approximately $400 million per year. There is a food tax credit returned to Idaho residents of $120 per family member and $140 for seniors. That amounts to $480 for a family of 4 which is 6% of $8,000, or $667 per month. Food tax credit tends to benefit lower income families more than higher income families. The totaltax credit adds up to $191,888,000. That means there is around $200 million sales tax collected from nonresident tourists and travelers through Idaho. Sales tax and more specifically food tax is a very stable tax revenue source. It does not vary as much as personal or corporate income tax during economic cycles. Cancelation of grocery tax would remove $200 million of out of state revenue. I believe a better solution would be to lower personal and corporate income tax rate. It would have the same net effect to Idaho taxpayers and still receive nonresident sales tax revenue which helps pay for the infrastructure they use.
Upcoming Millertime
The LD 24 legislators, Senator Zuiderveld, Representative Hostetler and myself are planning a series of Town Hall Meetings. We will take a Saturday and make several stops across the District. More later!!
House Session & Votes
Not much action in the House yet. The fun should start next week!
A full list of bills may be found at: Bill List
The House Session may be viewed live at: House Session
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
The committee met for organization on January 7th. The committee is a joint committee comprised of a 10 member House committee and 10 member Senate committee. There are 9 new members on the committee, 4 in the House and 5 in the Senate. The committee reviewed statewide budget information during week one. Budget presentations began Monday. The Program Maintenance Budgets were presented this week and appropriated Friday. There are 108 budgets that come before JFAC. These budgets are grouped into similar functional areas. For example, Natural Resources includes DEQ, Fish & Game, Parks, and Water Resources. All the 108 budgets are represented in 10 groups thus requiring only 10 motions (the beginnings of a bill in JFAC) instead of 108. A huge time savings!!The Maintenance budget is what it costs to run a department or agency not including any new spending or programs. The new money is considered in individual budgets called “Enhancements” for each entity.
The Program Maintenance budget appropriatedabout90% of the budget. 5.150 billion GF (General Fund is state taxes), 2.616 billion DED (Dedicated Funds, other than General Fund or Federal), 4.739 billion FED (Federal)for a total of 12.506 billion.
Budget hearing and setting schedules may be viewed at: Budget Schedules
JFAC agendas may be viewed at: JFAC Agendas
The JFAC meetings may be viewed live at 8:00am at: View JFAC
Agricultural Affairs Committee
There has been one Ag meeting where we got organized and heard RS 31941 which would establish a labeling law for alternative protein products sold in Idaho. Turns out there are a lot of lab grown meat and insect based proteins coming into the market. This bill would require clear front of package disclosure. If you’re going to have sauteed cricket, you ought to know it!! The RS was printed as H24.
Agricultural Affairs meetings may be viewed live on even numbered days at 1:30pm at: View Ag
Resources and Conservation Committee
The committee has met for organization and RS 31842 that establishes the Resources Interim Committee and RS 31873 which adds some definition to Outfitters and Guides that allows educators to lead or guide their classes. Both were printed.
Resources and Conservation meetings may be viewed live on odd numbered days at 1:30pm at: View Resources
Bill Highlights
You may view the full list of bills at and the bill status at: Bill List
Please email any questions or comments to smiller@house.idaho.gov. We get a lot of emails so put the name of your town in the Subject line so I’ll know it’s important.
It is an honor to serve as your Representative in the Idaho House of Representatives. Please forward this update to anyone you feel would be interested in receiving it.
Representative Steven Miller
District 24B
Camas, Gooding, and Rural Twin Falls Counties
Idaho State Capitol
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0038
208-332-1061
SMiller@house.idaho.gov
Common Sense Solutions 