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Rep. Elaine Price introduces resolution to clarify legislative role in ending disaster emergencies
Summary
Representative Elaine Price introduced RS 32,517 to amend statutory language on state disaster emergencies so the Legislature's ability to terminate a declared emergency is clear in situations involving special sessions. The committee voted to introduce the resolution.
Representative Elaine Price introduced RS 32,517 on the committee floor, saying the measure would clarify how state law treats the Legislature's ability to terminate a state of disaster emergency.
"This legislation is under Idaho Code 46,108, which is the disaster emergencies," Price said. She told the committee the draft would "rectify" language that does not explicitly account for the Legislature being in special session and referenced the state constitution's special-session authority.
The bill sponsor said the proposed change tracks existing statute language that allows the Legislature, by concurrent resolution, to terminate a state of disaster emergency but would clarify how that authority operates when a special session has been convened. Representative Price said the change is intended to address a drafting gap in current code language and noted the draft retains the existing 60-day limit on a governor's declaration that is already in statute.
Committee members asked for follow-up information. Representative Scott asked Price to bring examples of disaster declarations tied to weather and water events. Representative Pahanka asked about the 60-day limit; Price said the 60-day provision was already in the code and the resolution only clarifies the existing framework.
Representative Alfieri moved to introduce RS 32,517. The committee voted by voice to introduce the resolution. The motion carried.
