House Bill 686, sponsored by State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20), which helps protect non-profit hunting and shooting sports organizations in Idaho, has passed the House and is expected to be heard in the Senate Local Government Committee.
House Bill 686 could come up for a hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee anytime.
Please contact the Senate Local Government Committee members and ask him or her to vote in favor of this bill when it comes before them!
You can leave them a message by calling (208) 332-1000 or (800) 626-0471 for citizens outside the Boise area.
An email can also be sent to the entire committee by going to the following link: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactallcommitteemembersform.cfm?ID=SLOC
State Senator Hal Bunderson - Chair, (R-14)
State Senator Brent Hill - Vice Chair, (R-34)
State Senator Joe Stegner, (R-7)
State Senator Gerry Sweet, (R-20)
State Senator Curt McKenzie, (R-12)
State Senator J. Stanley Williams, (R-28)
State Senator Tim Corder, (R-22)
State Senator Edgar J. Malepeai, (D-30)
State Senator David Langhorst, (D-16)
Further Information on HB 686:
House Bill 686 prevents the imposition of taxes on shooting range fees and membership dues charged by non-profit hunting and shooting sports organizations. According to a recent interpretation of the Idaho State Administrative Code by the Idaho State Tax Commission, all gun clubs and shooting ranges in the state are required to collect sales tax on fees charged for access to their ranges.
Additionally, in the opinion of the Commission, if the membership dues that a club charges its members allow the club member to access the range, then those membership dues are subject to taxation as well. One club in the Boise area recently found this out the hard way when they were audited and required to pay back taxes plus interest for the last three years. HB 686 would exempt non-profit organizations from such taxation.
The National Rifle Association believes this is sound public policy because these are clubs or groups that provide a public service; places to learn and practice the safe and competent use of firearms; most provide educational opportunities and safety courses and many provide facilities for law enforcement training and/or practice. The non-profit organizations this bill would shelter are not in existence to turn a profit but solely to provide services that even those who don't like firearms should agree are critical.
Continue to help protect these organizations from unfair taxation and, in most cases, back taxes, interest and possibly fines by asking State Senators to vote for HB 686!
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