Week 9 was what everyone expected - busy and chaotic. A few bills tried to change the way cities, schools and counties opt out of excess tax levies and they all failed. The budget was put together for $7.9 billion in state and federal dollars. The owner occupied property tax relief bills that passed are SB 96 and HB 245 - both are listed below. Veto day is March 30 and many candidates are getting their papers in to run for the next election. Have a great week and spring!

This bill stipulates if you have your licenses revoked for conviction of a crime the court will allow certain things you can use your car for - child care, health appointments, attendance at school, court, sobriety testing, etc. Bill passed House Judiciary and passed House 67-0. Bill passed Senate committee and passed Senate 34-0. Gov Signed

Bill states person with a substantial physical disability must have a certification signed by physician, pa, Chiropractor, physical therapist, or nurse practitioner licensed under Title 36 to obtain a special plate or parking permit. Bill was assigned to House Trans Committee and passed House 65-2. Bill passed committee and passed Senate 33-0. Gov Signed

This bill revises provisions for driving under the influence - passed House Committee 13-0 and passed House 65-0. Bill passed Senate 33-0 and Gov signed.

This is the bill that we work on at the end of session that funds all the departments and programs in the state. Assigned to Joint Appropriations Committee. This bill was tabled and new budget bill is 1326.

Bill clarifies for law enforcement on removing a disabled vehicle from the highway, right of way, or public waters - House trans committee passed bill 9-0 and passed House 53-13 with an amendment. Now goes to Sen Trans and passed committee 7-0 and passed Senate 30-3 with an amendment. House concurred with the amendment 53-12. Gov signed.

This bill appropriates $7.5 billion for the state departments, programs, services for 2027. It gave 1.4 percent increase to education, providers, and state employees. Bill passed House 50-17 and passed the Senate 25-9. I was surprised by the number of legislators who voted against the bill in both the House and Senate. Last bill to be voted on during the regular session.

This is the bill that the Appropriations Committee will deal with one time money to back fill the 2026 Budget. Bill was amended to supplement the various programs for 2026 and then passed Senate 26 -8 and passed House 52-15. On Gov's desk.

This bill allows counties to add a 1/2 cent sales tax to dedicate to owner occupied property tax. Bill has passed Senate 20-14 and also passed the House this week 48-19, On Gov's desk

Another bill requiring holders of CDL license to be proficient in English. Passed committee and passed Senate 29-5. Bill passed House Trans Committee 10-0 and was amended on House floor and then passed 60-5. Senate concurred with the amendment 32-2. Gov signed.

Bill modifies the requirement regarding nondomiciled commercial drivers - assigned to Sen Trans Committee, bill passed committee 6-0 and passed Senate 33-0. Bill passed House Trans Committee and then passed House 66-0 with an amendment. Senate concurred with the amendment 34-0. Gov signed

This bill repeals the sunset date of 2027 on the sales tax of 4.2 percent and leaves it in place. Bill passed Sen Appropriations Committee 6-3 and bill failed on Senate floor 17-17, was reconsidered and failed again 16-17. The sunset date will stand for sales tax to go back to 4.5% when sunset happens in 2027.

This bill is a deal between the Governor and Rep. Hansen to use the sales tax going from 4.2 to 4.5 in 2027 to give to relief to owner occupied property tax owners. This was a vehicle bill and passed the Senate 32-1 and then was amended to create the property tax fund to give relief to owner occupied homeowners - Bill then passed House State Affairs Committee 11-2 and passed House 42-27 with an amendment to take about $55 million from the reserve fund to reduce the levies on owner occupied property. Then in 2027 the money will come from the sales tax being restored from 4.2 to 4.5. Senate concurred with the amendment 20-13. On Gov's Desk