Dear Readers,

We just began the 8th week of the legislature! Below are some of the recent legislation we’ve seen as well a federal update.
                                                         Local Issues:
Launch remains one of the Chamber’s biggest priorities. The Idaho Senate recently approved funding for the program and now it will head to the House. We are very grateful for their leadership and the work that continues to be done to move this program forward.  We highly recommend reaching out to your legislators to show your support for this program. If you’re not sure who your legislators are, here is the link to find out! 

House Bill 93 - This is the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit bill. It passed both the house and senate and was delivered to the Governor on February 21st. The Governor has 5 days upon receiving legislation to make a decision.

House Bill 74 has been reprinted as House Bill 304. This property tax relief bill aims to offer ongoing tax relief as well as ongoing funding for school facilities.

​Earlier this month, the Idaho Chamber Allliance hosted their annual Chamber Day conference. We hosted it at the Lincoln Auditorium in the Capitol and discussed an array of topics that impact businesses and local chambers. Pictured is the Idaho Chamber Alliance Executive Team with Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke.                                                                                                                                                                      Federal Issues:
I recently posted about the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) being on hold however as of February 19th, 2025, BOI reporting requirements under the CTA are back in effect. The updated deadline is now March 21st, 2025, with a possibility of modifications. To learn more about how to report, you can visit the FinCEN website here.  Below is a recent email from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sharing more information and the work they're doing for small businesses regarding BOI reporting: 

"The Corporate Transparency Act's (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements are back on.

• What happened: A federal court has lifted the injunction that stopped the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) from enforcing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements under the CTA.
• Why it matters: After numerous delays from pending legal challenges, certain small businesses now have to file their paperwork starting as early as March, according to an update FinCEN shared:

For the vast majority of reporting companies, the new deadline to file an initial, updated, and/ or corrected BOI report is now March 21, 2025. FinCEN will provide an update before then of any further modification of this deadline, recognizing that reporting companies may need additional time to comply with their BOI reporting obligations once this update is provided.

• What we’re doing: Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a one-year delay for small businesses from having to report their beneficial ownership information under the CTA. We are working to get this much-needed small business relief passed by the U.S. Senate."

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Thank you for reading. As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please don't hesitate to reach out! 

Stay well,

Tori 
​

Dear Readers,

We’re ending the fourth week of the 68th legislative session and have seen numerous pieces of legislation regarding vouchers/school choice, income/property tax, Medicaid expansion repeal and transportation funding. Below are just a few of the bills the Chamber’s policy committee is reviewing: 

• House Bill 25 - This bill responds to the governor's request for funding into the Transportation Expansion Congestion Mitigation (TECM) Program; it gradually increases funding for TECM over the course of 3 years. Locals will be guaranteed $45 million annually.
• House Bill 39 - The "Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit" legislation provides for a refundable tax credit up to $5k for eligible students
• House Bill 40 - This is Moyle's first of 3 tax reduction bills, starting with income tax. This legislation will reduce Idaho's flat income tax rate on individuals and corporations from 5.695% to 5.3%. It will also expand Idaho's income tax exemption for U.S. military pension income.

JFAC continues with the new process they adopted last year, establishing a maintenance budget as the baseline - this only includes costs that are required to maintain current government operations and programs. Once the baseline budget is established and agreed upon, they hear from agencies about their new spending budgets and additional costs, evaluating what aligns with state goals. As of January 17th, JFAC has set the maintenance budget for FY26, totaling $12.6 billion. Over the next couple of months, they will continue to vote on new spending requests, supplemental funding requests and CEC (changes in employee compensation). If you'd like to check out the budget requests, click here. There are also several news articles discussing the past week in JFAC if you're interested: 

• Idaho Capital Sun: Idaho Legislature delays action on proposed pay raises for state employees
• Idaho EdNews: Statehouse Roundup, 1.16.25: JFAC divided over employee raises, revenue projection
• Idaho Press: Friday Legislative Roundup: JFAC approves $12.6 billion, Senate rejects legislators pay raises

Federally, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the federal freezes as well as the executive orders that may impact businesses. The U.S. Chamber released a memo regarding President Trump’s executive orders. This brief summary focuses on issues that are most relevant to the business community including finance and banking, trade and foreign affairs, employment policies, border security and immigration, and energy and environmental policy. To read the memo, click here. 

Last January, I shared about the Corporate Transparency Act, requiring small businesses to file corporate transparency reports with beneficial ownership information (BOI). This act is currently on hold and there are no filing requirements as of this time. I will continue to keep you updated if anything changes. If you’d like to learn more about this, click here. 

Boise State’s School of Public Policy Recently released their Tenth Annual Statewide Survey. 1,000 Adult Idahoans were surveyed on topics including economy, taxes, elections, education, housing and healthcare. Workforce and affordable housing continue to be Idahoans top legislative budget priority. To learn more and review the survey, click here. 

We recently released a survey (not to be confused or compared to Boise State's School of Public Policy's survey) asking our members if access to housing and affordable childcare has impacted their ability to recruit and retain talent. Click here to take the survey. 

Stay tuned for more updates and as always if you have any questions or would like to put something on the Chamber’s radar, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
​
Stay well,
Tori Thomas 

Dear Readers,
​
Interested in reading the top-performing articles among the small business community from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?

From business ideas to researching the competition, CO—by U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a resource that provides practical and real-world advice on how to run your business—from managing your employees to keeping the books. 

​Check out these articles from CO–: 

4 Ways to Make Your Business More Sustainable

• Ducoterra, which uses a zero-waste manufacturing process to make its infrared heating panels, shares its proven strategies for small business sustainability.
• Click here to read more.

11 Things to Do During Small Business Month to Grow Your Company

• Want to scale your business? Achieve your goals with these core growth strategies and activities.
• Click here to read more. 

15 Free Resources for Small Businesses to Leverage Year-Round

• Many organizations provide support and online tools for small business owners and employees. Take advantage of these free resources during Small Business Month and throughout the year.
• Click here to read more.

7 Small Business Month Events to Register for Now

• Focus on your business by participating in virtual workshops and webinars in May.
• Click here to read more

How Entrepreneurs Can Find a Business Mentor

• A business mentor can provide the advice and support new entrepreneurs need. Here are six ways to find a business mentor.
• Click here to read more.

Stay well,

​Tori Thomas
Community and Government Affairs Manager, Boise Metro Chamber

Dear Readers,

Imagine the scene: it’s mid-May, April showers brought May flowers, and Idaho’s Primary Election is just one week away. You're all set – registered to vote, knowing your polling place or ready for early voting. There's a buzz in the air, a sense of excitement mixed with empowerment. But then, a crucial question arises: "Who should I vote for?" Don't worry, our members have your back!

There are numerous resources when making the decision to vote. Last week we shared voteidaho.gov, which offers great resources regarding how to vote, election data and more. Below we wanted to share the expertise of a few of our members. There is so much information being distributed and through trusted sources like these, we believe you’ll feel ready to head to the polls! 

Recently, KTVB's voter guide was released, which provides information about each race coming up and what you can expect to see on your ballot. They also have multiple articles regarding the upcoming election. 

The Idaho EdNews voter guide focuses on the legislative race, with candidates that have a role within education policy. They asked candidates about their most important education priorities and where they stand regarding education issues that divide the legislature. Idaho EdNews wants to ensure Idahoans aren’t just voters, but educated ones. 

Idaho Statesman's voter guide “will help you decide your favorite candidates based on their own words.” They asked candidates in contested races multiple questions including what their top priorities are and what they feel their district needs most in a legislator. You will need a subscription to view this voter guide. 

Additionally, below are three ways to make the most out of your voting experience.

1. Swing by one of our many local coffee shops and treat yourself to a delectable delight as your journey to or from the polls. Sip on an iced coffee to fuel your civic spirit!
2. Rally your squad for a leisurely stroll to the early voting station or your neighborhood polling place. Turn the journey into a lively outing filled with laughter and camaraderie.
3. Embrace the thrill of the open road (or sidewalk) by hopping aboard a Lime scooter or bike. Feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face as you zip your way to cast your vote in style.

Stay well and happy voting!
​
Tori Thomas
Community and Government Affairs Manager, Boise Metro Chamber

Dear Readers,
It’s that time of year again! The Idaho Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st, 2024. This election is to choose party candidates for federal, state, and county positions. The candidates with the most votes in the primary will proceed to the general election.

There are multiple races in the upcoming election, including U.S Representative, State Legislator, County Commissioner, County Sheriff, and County Prosecuting Attorney.  

There are numerous ways to ensure your voice is heard: request an absentee ballot, early vote or hit the polls on election day to cast your vote.

Early voting is now open in most areas until May 17th. Early voters can visit their local county elections office for dates, times, and areas to submit their vote before the big day. On Election Day, May 21st, the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We highly recommend checking out voteidaho.gov. You’ll see endless resources on what to expect when voting in-person, how to early/absentee vote, and see who’s running. Every Tuesday, tune in for the ‘Fun Fact Tuesday’ video clip to learn more about Idaho’s elections.   

The Idaho Secretary of State, Phil McGrane, says it perfectly, “..every voice matters, every vote counts. Let’s shape the future of Idaho together.”

Happy voting, folks!

Tori Thomas
Community and Government Affairs Manager, Boise Metro Chamber

Dear Readers,
​
As we enter the sixth week of the legislative session, the landscape remains dynamic with leadership transitions, budgetary considerations, and the conclusion of non-privileged committee bill introductions. Despite the evolving circumstances, we appreciate the work our legislature does and know there is a collective determination to navigate challenges and focus on the well-being of our state and its economic prosperity.

Education Issues
House Bill 521 addresses the Governor’s budget request to fund school facility maintenance through three avenues; dedicating $125 million in ongoing sales tax revenue for bonding, increasing the sales tax revenue directed to the fund to 3.25% and reducing income taxes from 5.8% to 5.695%.

Healthcare Issues
In our last update we included information on the Medicaid Expansion Repeal legislation. With over 400 opposing testimonies, the bill has been held in committee on an 8-5 vote. We do believe that some aspects of this bill will make an appearance again and we will continue to update.

​​

Healthcare Issues 

• There is currently an attempt to repeal Medicaid expansion. House Bill 419 requires certain conditions that Idaho Medicaid must meet, or expansion will be eliminated in July 2025. Requirements include an enrollment cap of 50,000 (currently at over 90,000), work requirements and more.  ​For more information, check out Idaho Capital Sun’s article 

Federal Issues 

• The Corporate Transparency Act went into effect January 1st, 2024. The CTA aims to combat tax fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing by requiring certain U.S. businesses to submit a “Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)” Report to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This is intended to prevent illegal activities, safeguarding national security and economic integrity. To learn more, read this article by the U.S Chamber.  
• Senator Mike Crapo’s Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act legislation currently has 60 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate. This bill allows Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening. We’re grateful for Senator Crapo’s leadership and all the work he continues to do for Idaho stakeholders! To learn more about this legislation and Senator Crapo’s work, you can visit his website or read this article from the Idaho Statesman.  

​
Call to Action 

• Contact your legislators to show your gratitude, concerns, or perspective! Who is my Legislator is a great resource to look at districts and get to know your legislators. 
• Show your support for Idaho Launch – post on social media, contact your legislators, or host a topic expert (Idaho Workforce Development Council, Governor’s Office, etc.) to share the details of the program! ​

Upcoming Legislative Events 

• Our third installment of our virtual Legislative Update Series is scheduled for February 13th at 12pm. Senator Lori Den Hartog and Representative Brooke Green will join us to discuss the policy and funding aspects of transportation. This series is sponsored by Optum Idaho and will broadcast on all of our social media channels or watch on YouTube here.  
• Join us on Wednesday, February 21st at 8am for our Congressional forum with Representative Russ Fulcher. You can learn more about this event and register here.

If you have any questions or legislation you would like the Chamber to considering weighing in on, please contact me at [email protected] ​

Sincerely,
Tori Thomas
Community and Government Affairs Manager, Boise Metro Chamber

Dear Readers,

Thank you for visiting the Boise Metro Chamber's NEW blog: Advocacy Update! I will be writing blogs here to offer the Chamber's insight and help you stay informed and engaged with current city, state, and federal legislative affairs. 

If you have any questions or if there is legislation you would like the Chamber to considering weighing in on, please contact me at [email protected] 

Thanks!

Tori Thomas
Community and Government Affairs Manager, Boise Metro Chamber