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Committee advances H 746 to general orders after debate over expanding deficiency-warrant authority
Summary
H 746, which would allow deficiency warrants and Dept. of Lands assets to respond to non-fire emergencies, was debated for potential fiscal and scope concerns; the committee ultimately sent the bill to general orders after confirming sponsors and amendment willingness.
Rep. Boyle presented H 746 and identified a fiscal-note wording error, saying the fiscal note should read "Costs will be reimbursed by FEMA, US Forest Service, and/or Bureau of Land Management," not "to FEMA ..." Bryan Daniels, Fire Chief of Caldwell and speaking for the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association, said the bill would let deficiency warrants be used for non-fire emergencies and allow the Dept. of Lands' assets to be employed for floods, storm cleanup and similar events instead of relying on out-of-state mutual aid for certain responses.
Julia Lauch, Division Administrator of Forestry and Fire and State Forester with the Dept. of Lands, told the committee the legislation is limited to reimbursable expenses and "simply expands the kinds of emergencies in which the unique expertise and resources of the Dept. of Land's can be employed." During questions, some members expressed concern that replacing specific limitations around deficiency warrants with broader language could lead to costly unintended consequences. Rep. Petzke moved to hold H 746 in committee but later withdrew the original motion; the committee then voted to send H 746 to general orders and Rep. Boyle will sponsor the bill on the floor.
