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Committee deadlocks on bill that would require legislature to reconvene for state disaster declarations
Summary
House Bill 344 would have required the legislature to be convened for state disaster emergency declarations and limited a declaration to 60 days absent legislative continuation; the committee split 7-7 on a motion to send the bill to the floor, leaving it in committee after testimony raised concerns about response delays.
The House State Affairs Committee failed to advance House Bill 344 after a roll-call tie, leaving the measure in committee. HB344 would have clarified that the legislature may terminate a state disaster emergency and would prevent a governor from continuing an emergency declaration beyond 60 days without legislative action.
Representative Elaine Price, R-District 4, said the bill is intended to affirm legislative authority and ensure the legislature can carry out oversight and appropriations for emergency spending. Price said the 60-day limit would not bar the governor from declaring a subsequent emergency; the bill would instead require that the legislature be convened to continue or end a disaster emergency under Idaho Code 46-1008.
Testimony from local officials raised concerns about responsiveness. Seth Grigg, executive director of the Idaho Association of Counties, and Chris Corwin, president of the Idaho Emergency Managers Association, told the committee that requiring the legislature to reconvene to declare or continue state disaster emergencies could delay access to resources and funds needed for prompt local response. Corwin recommended instead setting an initial immediate spending authority for the governor and requiring legislative approval for larger amounts later.
Committee action: Representative Barbieri moved to send HB344 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The secretary conducted a roll-call vote. The recorded roll call: Chairman Crane — yes; Representatives Andrew — yes; Palmer — yes; Barbieri — yes; Holtzclaw — no; Skog — no; Alfieri — yes; Crane (Rep. Jaren Crane, Dist. 12) — yes; Boyle — no; Deigert — no; Hostetler — yes; Mickelson — no; Pohanka — no; Achilles — no. The vote tied 7-7; the motion failed and HB344 remains in committee.
Why it matters: Supporters framed the bill as preserving coequal legislative authority over emergencies and emergency spending; opponents and county emergency-management representatives warned it could slow response and access to state and federal resources during floods, fires and other fast-moving emergencies.
What’s next: HB344 remains in the possession of the committee after the tie vote. Sponsors and opponents may seek revisions to address concerns about rapid response and quorum logistics before renewed consideration.
