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Committee advances bill to ease small-city hiring limits for relatives of local officials
Summary
H 686, sponsored by Sen. Burtenshaw, would create a narrow exemption allowing certain relatives of local elected officials to be employed in cities under 10,000 residents; the committee heard testimony from the Association of Idaho Cities and sent the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Sen. Burtenshaw introduced H 686 on March 11 to amend existing law by providing a narrow exception to restrictions on hiring relatives of local elected officials in cities with populations under 10,000. He said smaller communities sometimes struggle to fill staff positions under the current restrictions and that the bill aims to allow qualified candidates to be hired under strict safeguards.
Lance Sayers, representing the Association of Idaho Cities, testified in support and cited smaller towns such as St. Anthony as examples of municipalities that have had difficulty filling critical public works positions because of a limited local labor pool. When Sen. Den Hartog asked how many city employees towns that size typically have, Sayers said he did not have exact numbers.
Sen. Ruchti asked whether the bill would address staffing issues for school boards; Sen. Burtenshaw said the legislation does not explicitly mention school boards. Sen. Bernt moved to send H 686 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation; Sen. Adams seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
