What to Watch: Week Twelve

Unfunded Mandate Alert: House Bill 621 to be Heard Tomorrow in House State Affairs

While we are hopeful that the legislature will be able to finish its work and adjourn sine die within the next couple of days, we are not letting off the gas during these final days of the session.

Tomorrow morning, House Bill 621 (Guns in Courthouses) will be heard in the House State Affairs Committee. The Idaho Association of Counties understands that the State of Idaho sets firearm policy. 

Our concerns with the bill focus on the inaccuracies of the fiscal impact on counties in the Statement of Purpose. The fiscal impact states that there is no fiscal impact on local governments. This is inaccurate for many counties throughout the state.

Unfortunately, if House Bill 621 becomes law, it will cost some counties millions of dollars due to the need for more security equipment and additional personnel, with no state funding to cover those costs. Some courthouses may even need to modify their buildings to accommodate the required changes. So far, the estimated fiscal impact to counties is approximately $19 Million, and that is without all 44 counties reporting back.

If your county is one of the counties that would need additional funding in order to implement House Bill 621, please reach out to the House State Affairs Committee before 9 am MDT tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 31) to let the committee know what the financial impacts will be of this unfunded mandate should House Bill 621 move forward. Click here for contact information for the House State Affairs Committee.

Here are the other bills we are tracking:

• House Bill 670 Originally about fire/EMS district withdrawal from urban renewal, the Senate “radiator capped” (replaced all language) the bill. New language proposes overturning parts of HB 389’s property tax limitations by repealing the preliminary levy rate, authorizing use of 100% of new construction (up from 90%), uncapping budget caps for cities/counties under 10,000 population, raising budget caps to 15% for those between 10,000 and 30,000, and keeping the cap at 8% for those over 30,000. While the Senate may pass it, it is unlikely to advance in the House.
• House Bill 959 Increases the property tax budget cap for fire protection and EMS service districts from 8% to 15%. Expected to be heard in the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee Tuesday.
• House Bill 967 Replaces HB 944. Diverts $4 million in liquor funds ($2M state, $2M local) to ISP Project Choice for trooper recruitment/retention. This will reduce county general funds by $871,000 and city general funds by $1,129,000, but will not reduce the county District Court Fund. The bill passed the House on Monday and is expected to be heard in the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee Tuesday.
• Senate Bill 1441 Mandates state and local law enforcement, including county sheriffs, enter into a 287(g) MOU with ICE for immigration enforcement. Sent to the Senate’s 14th Order for possible amendment; it is uncertain if the bill will be amended or left hanging.
• Senate Bill 1442 Requires county sheriffs to report the immigration status of undocumented jail inmates to ICE. Amended by the Senate late Monday and awaits a full Senate vote.