Committee raises county search-and-rescue reimbursement cap to $8,000, citing rising costs

The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee unanimously voted to send House Bill 185 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The bill would raise the per-mission state reimbursement cap for county search-and-rescue missions from $4,000 to $8,000.

Representative Mike Pohanka (R., District 26) presented the bill, explaining that the statutory $4,000 cap has not changed since 1985 and no longer covers many search-and-rescue missions that require helicopters, multi-day responses, or private resources. "This is just money that those counties can get into to help, soften the blow of their expenses," Pohanka told the committee.

Sheriff Chris Getz, representing the Idaho Sheriffs' Association in support, said the state Search and Rescue fund holds about $700,000 and that only a small number of missions (about five per year) fall between $4,000 and $8,000, estimating the annual additional state cost would be modest. He described current practice where the first $4,000 is automatically reimbursed and larger expenses are referred to a catastrophic fund that meets infrequently, causing county cash-flow issues.

Lt. Darren Brown of the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office, who oversees search-and-rescue operations, testified supportively and described rising costs for operation supplies and aircraft support over decades.

The committee approved the bill by voice vote to move it to the full House. Supporters said the change would reduce out-of-pocket county expenses for larger rescue operations without materially reducing the fund balance; the Search and Rescue fund balance was described as adequate to cover the change.