Panel backs raising search-and-rescue threshold from $4,000 to $8,000; amendment to correct text planned

Senate Judiciary & Rules on Feb. 26 sent House Bill 185 to the fourteenth order for an amendment that would raise the threshold triggering catastrophic fund reimbursement for search-and-rescue operations from $4,000 to $8,000.

Senator James Recti, who introduced the bill, said the change is a straightforward update to a statutory dollar threshold. He noted one reference on page one of the bill still lists $4,000 and asked that the drafting error be corrected in the amending order so the text consistently reflects $8,000.

Kelly Brasfield of the Idaho Association of Counties testified in support, and Sheriff Chris Goetz of Clearwater County, representing the Idaho Sheriffs' Association, described rising rescue costs and how the funds are financed. "We get immediate reimbursement from the Idaho State Police on [the standard fund]. The catastrophic fund requires a meeting of the members ... and they meet generally once or twice a year, so sometimes reimbursement can take longer," Sheriff Goetz said. He said helicopter or specialized equipment costs can quickly exceed the earlier $4,000 threshold.

Sheriff Goetz described funding sources referenced in statute as including a portion of off-highway vehicle registration fees, some gas-tax allocations and other small dedicated sources. He said the catastrophic fund currently holds about $700,000 and his association does not expect the threshold change to require additional revenue.

The committee accepted a motion to send House Bill 185 to the fourteenth order for possible amendment; that motion was made by Senator Ricks and seconded by Senator Shippey.