IDAHO FALLS -- The Idaho State Tax Commission has done nothing wrong in cutting deals with large companies over their annual tax bills.

That's the conclusion of Sen. Brent Hill, the chairman of the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee who met with Tax Commission members this week.

The Rexburg Republican said will still recommend the agency's methods of reviewing tax protests of multistate corporations be scrutinized by an independent third party in a bid to boost public confidence.

Howland, 28-year employee of the agency, released a 17-page report last month outlining what he says were illegal secret deals.

Still, Hill says, "I'll tell you right now there's been no illegality."

Just what form an independent review of the Tax Commission will take is still unclear.

Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot and chairman of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, said he's inclined to follow whatever Hill recommends.