Legislative Watch: Increasing Costs and Safety Concerns

Guns at Nonprofit Events 

​Why this Matters: Nonprofit events—like free concerts, plays, and craft fairs—would be put in ambiguous situations by not allowing them to regulate what people can carry into their events. This legislation has public safety implications as well as raising liability concerns.  

INC Position: Advocating Against 

We originally sent this out last week but the committee hearing was canceled then rescheduled for tomorrow: S1374 would prohibit nonprofits (as well as civic groups and businesses) from restricting firearms being brought into their free public events when renting or leasing public property. This bill would create a chilling effect on well-loved events held in public spaces.

We encourage you to contact the Senate State Affairs Committee and share your concerns regarding S1374.

• Testify in front of the committee
  • Sign up to testify in person or remotely
  • Two minute testimony maximum
• Email the committee
  • Template letter is available for adaptation
  • Email list for committee member

take action: Share your thoughts with the committee

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​Nonprofit Hospital Property Tax Exemptions

Why this Matters: Tax exempt property relates to Idaho nonprofits and impacts Idaho residents

INC Position: Advocating Against

H658 looks to alter the property tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals in Idaho. This type of legislation could encourage health care facilities to consolidate into centralized facilities which would further impact the lack of access to care experienced in rural areas of Idaho.

Residents of Idaho could also feel the financial impact of hospitals losing tax exempt benefits on their property as the cost would have to shift to consumers, disproportionately affecting low-middle income Idahoans.

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​Appropriation Bills are Rolling in  

Why this Matters: Idaho state agencies frequently partner with nonprofits to maximize impact on community needs. Through grants and contracts with nonprofit service providers, the State of Idaho better supports its citizens.
We started out this legislative session by highlighting Governor Little’s Budget Request, and now is the time we find out if they come to fruition. The budgets for State Agencies are determined by the JFAC created appropriation bills (seen on our legislative tracker). Each must pass both the House and the Senate and be signed by the Governor.  
The JFAC process has changed this year, so we are seeing these bills later in the year than we normally would. Here are a few that we are closely following:

• HB680 for the Commission on Aging: funds Meals on Wheels
• SB1334 for Idaho Commission on the Arts: funds multiple grants to nonprofits
  

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​Get updates through Idaho Public Television 

Idaho Public Television offers Idaho In Session, a gavel-to-gavel service that includes live on-air and online coverage of the Idaho Legislature. 

You can also stay up to date on the latest legislative news on Idaho Reports, IdahoPTV’s weekly broadcast.