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Committee introduces resolution clarifying legislative role in ending disaster emergencies
Summary
The Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced RS 32,517, a resolution that clarifies the Legislature’s authority to terminate a state of disaster emergency when not in regular session, and confirms a 60‑day limit already present in statute.
Representative Elaine Price introduced RS 32,517 to the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 25, saying the resolution aims to clarify how the Legislature may terminate a state of disaster emergency when it is not in session.
“This legislation is under Idaho Code 46-108,” Price said, “the Legislature by concurrent resolution may terminate a state of disaster emergency at any time. But this code does not include us being in session. So this is to rectify that situation.”
The resolution references existing statutory language that limits continuation of a governor-declared disaster emergency to 60 days without legislative action. Representative Pahanka asked whether a 60-day limit could be too short for some disasters that last longer; Price replied the 60-day limit is already in code and RS 32,517 merely clarifies the provision.
Representative Alfieri moved to introduce RS 32,517; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The motion carried and the resolution was introduced for further consideration.
The discussion at the committee was brief and limited to the statutory clarification proposed by Price and one question about the 60-day limit. No formal amendment or substantive debate about changing the duration was recorded during the committee meeting.
What happens next: the committee introduced the resolution and will continue its legislative processing per standard House procedures. No subsequent actions or votes on a final adoption were recorded during this hearing.
