BOISE - Legislation was introduced Thursday which, co-sponsors say, specifies that Idaho's urban renewal districts are required to reimburse local taxing districts for services rendered.

Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d'Alene, said "other taxing districts," would be included with cities and counties on the list of entities that need to be reimbursed for work performed for the urban renewal districts. Malek is co-sponsoring the new bill with House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star.

The measure was sent to print Thursday on a unanimous vote of the ad hoc House Ways and Means Committee.

"What it says is that administrative time from taxing district personnel would be counted as a project cost," Malek said.

Moyle said no cost estimates are available regarding how much money Idaho taxing districts are losing to urban renewal districts.

"The counties sometimes don't get their money," Moyle said. "The other taxing districts are left out. So, we just broadened it to make sure, hey, if they're helping you, the personnel are working on your project, you need to reimburse those guys for the help."

House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, made the motion to send the legislation to print.

"The amendment provides that a city, county or other taxing district is eligible to receive reimbursement for services rendered on behalf of an urban renewal district relating to the implementation of an urban renewal project plan," a bill description states.

Some confusion exists with the current Idaho statute over what the term "municipality," means, according to Moyle and Malek. Currently, it's used to define both cities and counties, Malek said.

"So, he (Moyle) took out 'municipality' and put 'county, city, or taxing district,'" Malek said. "So, all it really adds is 'taxing district.'"

Malek predicted there would be no opposition to the bill.