There Are “A Lot Of Questions” On The Personal Property Tax, Says Rep. Collins

Molly Messick / StateImpact Idaho

Rep. Gary Collins chairs the Revenue and Taxation Committee, where tax bills start.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter made a little news yesterday with his uncertainty about whether lawmakers will come up with a plan for phasing out or eliminating the state’s tax on business personal property.

“Whether we’re going to get anything done this year or not, I can’t predict that,” he said.

He was speaking to county leaders, a crowd that has pushed back against the idea of eliminating the tax. Nevertheless, it was a notable statement. The governor and others have made the issue a top priority for this legislative session.

Asked about Otter’s comment today, House Revenue and Taxation Committee chairman Gary Collins (R-Nampa) said discussions on the personal property tax are ongoing. 

“I don’t know that we’ve stopped, or anything like that,” Collins said. “There is no piece of legislation. I can say that much.”

He wouldn’t share details about the particular hang-ups, but indicated big questions remain. “It’s just – trying to decide where we’re going to go and how,” Collins said of the current process.