Bill Description: House Bill 618 would expand the prohibition against tax-related communications from the tax commission or a county, including messages supporting a government program or nonprofit. 

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NOTE: House Bill 618 is related to House Bill 395, introduced earlier this session. 

Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?

House Bill 618 would amend Section 74-407, Idaho Code, which prohibits including the name of a public official (other than a necessary signature) or an electioneering message on tax-related correspondence the tax commission or a county sends to taxpayers. 

The bill would remove references to the tax commission and apply the prohibition to "tax-related correspondence from the state of Idaho." The bill would also expand the definition of "electioneering message" to include "statements regarding, expressing support for, or soliciting support for any governmental program or initiative; or nonprofit corporation, including any program or initiative of a nonprofit corporation."

The bill also would amend 67-1022, Idaho Code, which deals with warrants drawn by the state controller. The bill would add a new subsection similar to the language discussed above, to say, "Except for the state controller as the issuing officer, neither the name of any elected public official, nor any electioneering message shall appear on any warrant, including in any remittance advice or remittance memo, unless acting as an endorser or otherwise necessary for the proper execution of a warrant. For the purposes of this subsection, 'electioneering message' shall include statements regarding, expressing support for, or soliciting support for any government program or initiative or non-profit corporation, including any program or initiative of a nonprofit corporation."

The changes made by House Bill 618 would be consistent with the purpose of the existing statute — to prevent the misuse of official tax communication — and serve to further limit such misuse through government endorsements of organizations or programs whose purpose or funding may be at issue in an election.

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