New Idaho laws take effect Wednesday

With a host of new laws set to take effect Wednesday, Local News 8 is taking a look at a few major ones.

Transportation tax increases

A $95 million transportation bill designed to improve Idaho’s roads and bridges will mean a 7-cent fuel tax increase and a $21 vehicle registration increase for drivers.

Concealed carry without a permits

House Bill 301 will make it legal carry a concealed firearm without a permit outside city limits. It also caps permit fees at $20.

Teacher pay increases

On average, starting teacher salaries will increase by $1,000 each year with the eventual goal of reaching $37,000 by 2020.

While a step in the right direction, the Idaho Education Association told Local News 8 teacher salaries would still be less than they were in 2009.

New election date

Idaho’s Republican presidential primary will take place in March rather than May beginning in 2016.

The move is expected to give Idaho more influence in GOP politics. But local Democrats have criticized the estimated $2 million price tag for an election that is closed to all but GOP voters.

“It’s a small, basically private election, and the Republican leaders in Idaho have succeeded in getting the taxpayer to fund that private election,” said Dave Finkelnburg with Bannock County Democrats.

Local News 8 called the Bannock County GOP for comment, but didn’t hear back by airtime.