Representative Steve Miller
2025 Legislative Update
For Week4 Ending January 30, 2025
Current
Bills are beginning to move through the House. Most committees are still finishing rules and hearing RSs (Routing Slips). A legislator brings an RS to a committee for consideration. The committee decides what to do with the RS. If they vote to print the RS, it is printed with a bill number and typically returned to committee for a hearing.
Change in Employee Compensation (CEC)
JFAC once again considered CEC in 4 different motions. There was $3.2 million (1.8%) between the low and high number. There were some minor differences in how the increases would be distributed among employees. I was proud of the House members vote. Even though not in agreement about every aspect of the motion, the majority were willing to support the negotiated motion of the statewide budget so we could move on to our regular budget process. The motion failed the Senate vote. This may result in a longer session since JFAC cannot begin the regular budget process as scheduled.
Bills may be viewed at Bill List
To look further into Idaho’s fiscal transparency, Idahoans can now quickly click to view historic and current statewide budget appropriations and agency expenditures for the fiscal year at Budget Information and Fiscal Dashboards.
Upcoming Millertime
The LD 24 legislators are coordinating scheduling a series of Townhall meetings. It takes a while to get everyone’s calendar to sync!!
The Week
H93 Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit for up to $5,000 for a parent or guardian or foster parent who incurs qualified education expenses for an eligible student. “Qualified expenses” include kindergarten through twelfth grade tuition and fees related to attending a nonpublic school, tutoring, taking assessments used to determine college admission, costs for textbooks, curriculum, and transportation costs for the purpose of receiving academic instruction. The refundable tax credit is increased up to $7,500 for special needs students that require ancillary personnel to assist in academic instruction. All families may apply for the refundable tax credit during the application timeframe, but families whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level receive the highest priority and can also elect to have a one-time advance tax credit payment in their first year of participation in the program.
Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy (POST)
This is the most recent class graduating from POST training. POST delivers training and technical assistance to all levels of law enforcement throughout the state by providing both basic and specialized training programs for all commissioned peace officers, adult and juvenile corrections officers, and dispatchers.
House Session & Votes
The House approved HJM 1 which is a House Joint Memorial in a 46-24-0 vote. This memorial expresses the Idaho Legislature’s commitment to restoring the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider the Obergefell v. Hodges decision and return authority over marriage laws to the states and their citizens. I support the memorial’s declaration that this a state issue and not a Federal issue. HJM 1 will now go to the Senate.
The House approved H7 which provides for a mandatory minimum of $300 for 3 oz of marijuana possession.
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)
JFAC approved an Employee Benefits Cost package of $14,300. That is a 10% increase over last year! Health care insurance continues to rocket out of control.
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: View JFAC
Agricultural Affairs Committee
The committee has heard presentations by the Oilseed Commission, Snake River Sugar beet Growers and Amalgamated Sugar. The US consumes 12 million tons of sugar. Nine million tons comes half and half from sugar beets and sugar cane. Is sugar cane sugar actually better than sugar beets? Nope! Same sugar either way! How much sugar is in the average sugar beet? About 1 cup!! Sweeeeet!
Ag Committee meetings may be viewed live on even numbered days at 1:30pm at: View Ag
Resources and Conservation Committee
The photo represents the flow chart of material handling, processing and extraction at the Perpetua mine. They have finally, after years of satisfying federal regulations, got the go ahead to begin!!
The committee heard RSs about veterinary practices ownership and County Fair Boards. Both were approved for printing.
Resources meetings may be viewed live on odd numbered days at 1:30pm at: View Resources
Bill Highlights
Bill # Topic Vote
H 41 Only display certain flags in schools 59-11-0
H44 Revise law re harassment, intimidation and bullying 43-26-1
H32 Ban mask mandates 52-16-2
You may view the full list of bills at and the bill status at: Bill List
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. If you send me an email, list your town or city in the subject line. Thanks.
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 