Schools would benefit from lease proposal

This week at the Idaho legislature we are dealing and working on many important issues. I am the sponsor of HB0500 which deals with the lease of state lands for new expanded commercial purposes. This Bill will expand the uses to include fuel cell, low impact hydro, biomass, cogeneration, solar, as well as wind and geothermal resources for use on state lands. These are important elements of our state lands; we have some of the best wind and geothermal availability in the nation and it is time that we take the steps necessary to using it as a resource. The changes in this law will make a big difference for Idaho, and generate a significant amount of new monies for the state. As I was quoted in the Idaho Statesman, “It's prudent for us to be creative as a legislature, and recognize there are other categories of funding that we haven't pursued yet. If you can tap into natural resources, as we have historically with timber and mining, you can create economic sustainability.” All of our renewable energy resources are natural resources.

HB0500 has received positive response from many within the Legislature and the State Land Board. State Controller Donna Jones, a member of the State Land Board gave this response, “I support the legislation proposed by Rep. Anderson that expands the definition of leases on state lands to include renewable resources. Developing energy sources, especially renewable sources, from our state lands serves a dual purpose of providing energy for our homes and businesses as well as bringing in revenue from the leases. This is especially important if the leases are on our endowment lands, which will greatly benefit our children with more funding for our schools.” This Bill passed the House unanimously and will be heard next week on the floor of the Senate.

SB1444 and SB1365 better known as Idaho's Volunteer First Responder Bills, are two other bills that I am sponsoring. SB1444 - The Workers Comp Amendment Act will provide a minimum weekly benefit to Volunteer Emergency Responders based on 67 percent of the average weekly state wage if they get hurt in the line of duty. This bill is out of committee and on its way to the Senate floor.

SB1365 - $100,000 Line of Duty Death Benefit for Emergency Responders had a good hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee and they have worked with me to develop a plan that would only cost our Districts $15.31 per volunteer per year if all 6,500 volunteers participated.

HB59 - The Idaho Film Bill is a measure that I am sponsoring that will set up an incentive program that will offer filmmakers a 20 percent rebate on production costs with a cap per production. I feel that Idaho must have a diverse portfolio of new business industries to provide jobs and broaden our economy which in turn will help with funding our roads and schools. Utah has a similar plan and over the last three years has returned $50 million into the states economy and reported that the incentive was responsible for creating 5,200 high paying jobs. Currently the financial impact of media production in Idaho is virtually $0. This bill came out of the House Commerce Committee on a narrow vote, and will be heard on the House floor next week. It will probably be a close vote.

I will introduce legislation this week to deal with Quagga Mussels which are invading our neighboring southern states lakes. We must keep this invader out of our state.

Also, I am a member of the House Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. We heard a bill dealing with air quality emissions, and vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. Currently, Bonner and Boundary counties do not require emissions testing.

Eric Anderson (R-Priest Lake) is a District state representative.