Idaho tax bill clears House

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2002

Idaho's House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 53-17 to approve a bill that retroactively subjects tribes to a gasoline tax.

The bill was put together at the last minute after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear Idaho's losing battle against the tribes. Tribes aren't subject to the gas tax, Idaho's Supreme Court has said.

The bill would overturn that decision and prevent the tribes from getting at least a $23 million refund for the illegal taxes they paid. The Nez Perce Tribe, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the Kootenai Tribe would be affected.

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