 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Idaho State Representative
District 32-B
District 32-B
Erik Simpson
Governor signs energy transmission bill
A bill that would give power transmission projects priority within the State of Idaho was signed into law by
the governor recently. The House of Representatives and Senate had previously passed the bill.
The law will require state departments to give transmission projects priority status in terms of document
reviews and permitting. Paul Kjellander, administrator of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, drafted the
bill, saying it is necessary for economic growth and sustainability, energy security, and the broader public
interest.
"This law is one that will get little attention and will send a message to utilities and transmission
developers that Idaho is interested in building its energy infrastructure and these interests can expect to be
placed at the front of the line," said Representative Erik Simpson, a member of the Environment, Energy,
and Technology Committee.
Currently, Idaho imports a vast majority of its energy. Whether the state continues to import energy or
produce its own, new transmission lines are a must.
"Idaho is placing itself in a better position for domestic energy production and transmission, which are
keys to economic and job growth," said Simpson.
A bill that would give power transmission projects priority within the State of Idaho was signed into law by
the governor recently. The House of Representatives and Senate had previously passed the bill.
The law will require state departments to give transmission projects priority status in terms of document
reviews and permitting. Paul Kjellander, administrator of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, drafted the
bill, saying it is necessary for economic growth and sustainability, energy security, and the broader public
interest.
"This law is one that will get little attention and will send a message to utilities and transmission
developers that Idaho is interested in building its energy infrastructure and these interests can expect to be
placed at the front of the line," said Representative Erik Simpson, a member of the Environment, Energy,
and Technology Committee.
Currently, Idaho imports a vast majority of its energy. Whether the state continues to import energy or
produce its own, new transmission lines are a must.
"Idaho is placing itself in a better position for domestic energy production and transmission, which are
keys to economic and job growth," said Simpson.
Rule that could have cost developers,
homeowners thousands defeated
State Representative Erik Simpson helped to defeat a proposed rule Wednesday, Jan. 28, that if passed,
would have forced Idaho's builders and developers to spend thousands of extra dollars to install larger
septic tanks and expand current set-back limits for homes.
The rule change, drafted by the Department of Environmental Quality, was shot down by a 7-3 margin in
the Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee. It was also defeated by the Senate.
"The rule, if passed, would have been an expensive solution to a problem that is not clearly defined," said
Simpson.
DEQ said many septic systems are poorly designed or under-sized, posing a risk of failure and release of
effluent. Builders and a realty association, however, testified against the rule change, claiming the data
DEQ presented was incomplete and subjective.
homeowners thousands defeated
State Representative Erik Simpson helped to defeat a proposed rule Wednesday, Jan. 28, that if passed,
would have forced Idaho's builders and developers to spend thousands of extra dollars to install larger
septic tanks and expand current set-back limits for homes.
The rule change, drafted by the Department of Environmental Quality, was shot down by a 7-3 margin in
the Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee. It was also defeated by the Senate.
"The rule, if passed, would have been an expensive solution to a problem that is not clearly defined," said
Simpson.
DEQ said many septic systems are poorly designed or under-sized, posing a risk of failure and release of
effluent. Builders and a realty association, however, testified against the rule change, claiming the data
DEQ presented was incomplete and subjective.
Committee defeats beer, wine tax increase
After three days of public testimony, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted Wednesday, Feb.
25, to defeat a bill that would boost the tax on beer and wine. The bill proposed to increase the beer and
wine tax by as much as 300 percent with 58 percent of the additional revenue going to treatment General
Fund.
The final vote was 13-5 against the measure.
After three days of public testimony, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted Wednesday, Feb.
25, to defeat a bill that would boost the tax on beer and wine. The bill proposed to increase the beer and
wine tax by as much as 300 percent with 58 percent of the additional revenue going to treatment General
Fund.
The final vote was 13-5 against the measure.
INL recognized for 60 years of research in Idaho
Rep. Erik Simpson drafted a House Joint Memorial to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Idaho National
Laboratory. The memorial was unanimously approved by the House and Senate and was presented to
Department of Energy acting manager Dennis Miotla in Boise Wednesday, Feb. 25, during a luncheon
sponsored by the INL's contractors -- Battelle Energy Alliance, CH2M-WG Idaho, and Bechtel BWXT Idaho.
Sens. Dean Mortimer and Bart Davis also participated in the presentation of the memorial. Mortimer
carried the memorial in the Senate State Affairs Committee and on the Senate floor.
The memorial will also be sent to the U.S. House and Representatives, U.S. Senate, President Obama,
and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
"As an employee of the INL for more than 18 years, I was proud of the fact that this was the first measure I
carried on the House floor," said Simpson. "It's important that our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., know
that Idaho supports its national lab."
Rep. Erik Simpson drafted a House Joint Memorial to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Idaho National
Laboratory. The memorial was unanimously approved by the House and Senate and was presented to
Department of Energy acting manager Dennis Miotla in Boise Wednesday, Feb. 25, during a luncheon
sponsored by the INL's contractors -- Battelle Energy Alliance, CH2M-WG Idaho, and Bechtel BWXT Idaho.
Sens. Dean Mortimer and Bart Davis also participated in the presentation of the memorial. Mortimer
carried the memorial in the Senate State Affairs Committee and on the Senate floor.
The memorial will also be sent to the U.S. House and Representatives, U.S. Senate, President Obama,
and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
"As an employee of the INL for more than 18 years, I was proud of the fact that this was the first measure I
carried on the House floor," said Simpson. "It's important that our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., know
that Idaho supports its national lab."
Oregon senator drafts bill allowing Idaho
concealed weapons permit holders to carry
Oregon State Senator Fred Girod has drafted a bill that, if passed, would allow anyone who possesses a
concealed weapons permit from Idaho or any other state to legally carry a concealed firearm in his state.
"I've worked with Senator Girod for two years to bring this legislation based on requests from eastern
Idaho concealed weapons permit holders who vacation in Oregon," said Idaho State Representative Erik
Simpson. "Many states allow those with Idaho permits to legally carry concealed firearms; however,
Oregon has not. I encourage Idahoans to contact legislators from Oregon to voice their support for the bill."
Use the following link to contact the Oregon Senate and this link to contact the Oregon House of
Representatives.
concealed weapons permit holders to carry
Oregon State Senator Fred Girod has drafted a bill that, if passed, would allow anyone who possesses a
concealed weapons permit from Idaho or any other state to legally carry a concealed firearm in his state.
"I've worked with Senator Girod for two years to bring this legislation based on requests from eastern
Idaho concealed weapons permit holders who vacation in Oregon," said Idaho State Representative Erik
Simpson. "Many states allow those with Idaho permits to legally carry concealed firearms; however,
Oregon has not. I encourage Idahoans to contact legislators from Oregon to voice their support for the bill."
Use the following link to contact the Oregon Senate and this link to contact the Oregon House of
Representatives.
Did you know?
Representative Erik
Simpson has earned
an A rating from the
National Rifle
Association (NRA)
Representative Erik
Simpson has earned
an A rating from the
National Rifle
Association (NRA)
House passes Second Amendment memorial
The Idaho House unanimously passed a memorial to Congress and the president Monday, March 9, to
reaffirm citizens rights to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Idaho is
one of many states that have passed similar memorials in 2009 after learning of plans in Washington,
D.C., to require firearms owners to register their weapons, to reinstate the assault weapons ban, and to
enact other firearms-related limitations.
The Idaho House unanimously passed a memorial to Congress and the president Monday, March 9, to
reaffirm citizens rights to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Idaho is
one of many states that have passed similar memorials in 2009 after learning of plans in Washington,
D.C., to require firearms owners to register their weapons, to reinstate the assault weapons ban, and to
enact other firearms-related limitations.
Idaho joins 30 other states in drafting 10th
Amendment legislation
A memorial to emphasize states rights under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution passed the State
Affairs Committee, Tuesday, March 3, and will be introduced on the House floor next week. Idaho is one of
31states that have drafted similar language with the intent of sending the memorial to Congress and the
president.
Amendment legislation
A memorial to emphasize states rights under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution passed the State
Affairs Committee, Tuesday, March 3, and will be introduced on the House floor next week. Idaho is one of
31states that have drafted similar language with the intent of sending the memorial to Congress and the
president.
First transportation bill passes the House
The first bill aimed at raising additional revenue for Idaho's roads and bridges passed the House on
Monday, March 2. The measure, if passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, eliminates the
ethanol tax exemption for producers.
Idaho is currently losing about $4 million per year in tax revenue with the exemption in place.
Idaho Gov. C. L."Butch" Otter outlined Feb. 10 his plans to raise an additional $47 million in the first year
and a total of $174 million after five years for Idaho's roads and bridges.
Several proposals have already surfaced including a one-year 2-cent gas tax increase, multi-year gas tax
increases, and moderate to steep increases in registration fees. These ideas are now being vetted in the
Transportation Committee. A plan to increase rental car fees died in committee.
Monday, March 2. The measure, if passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, eliminates the
ethanol tax exemption for producers.
Idaho is currently losing about $4 million per year in tax revenue with the exemption in place.
Idaho Gov. C. L."Butch" Otter outlined Feb. 10 his plans to raise an additional $47 million in the first year
and a total of $174 million after five years for Idaho's roads and bridges.
Several proposals have already surfaced including a one-year 2-cent gas tax increase, multi-year gas tax
increases, and moderate to steep increases in registration fees. These ideas are now being vetted in the
Transportation Committee. A plan to increase rental car fees died in committee.
