A bill that would outlaw repeat bond elections passed the House State Affairs Committee Monday morning. It was the second time the legislation came before the panel.
North Idaho Republican Representative Heather Scott first presented her bill to the committee last week. Originally, it sought to prohibit both bonds and levies that failed at the ballot box from coming up for another vote within a year. While bonds typically are used for long-term projects, levies help pay for ongoing expenses.
The Spokesman Review reports the first iteration of the bill drew criticism from school boards, libraries and cities among others over concerns it would limit voters’ choices.
Changes were made, including one by Coeur d’Alene Republican Paul Amador that removed levies from the the bill. He says levies already need voter approval at least every two years and make up a significant portion of school district funding.
The bill passed 13 to 1 and now heads to the House floor. The lone dissent came from Pocatello Democrat Elaine Smith.
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