IDAHO PASSES CONTRACTOR BILL:

A bill requiring building contractors to carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance recently passed the Senate and will now go to Governor Dirk Kempthorne, according to the Idaho Press-Tribune. The bill, which passed 23-11, also requires contractors to register with the state. It would deny property liens to unregistered contractors. Bill supporters said that the legislation will help protect the people of Idaho from unethical actions by construction contractors. A spokesperson for Kempthorne did not indicate whether or not the governor would sign the bill. Several contractor bills have been introduced over the past 40 years, but this is the first one to clear the Legislature.