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Local officials, advocates warn HB 896 could erode local control and be weaponized
Summary
Public commenters and the Association of Idaho Cities warned the committee that HB 896 could centralize enforcement powers and be used against locally elected officials; witnesses urged tweaks (e.g., county prosecutor referrals) and cure processes before penalties like withholding funds or disqualification.
A caller from Idaho Falls urged the committee to reject or amend HB 896, arguing the measure "picks on local, elected officials" and that local constituents should have the primary means of holding leaders to account. The commenter said the statutory penalty allowing disqualification from office was "pretty bad" and asked the committee to remove employment and public-office disqualification provisions.
Jonathan Wheatley of the Association of Idaho Cities told the committee the association appreciated amendments but recommended that county prosecutors, not county-commission chairs, be the official who may make referrals to the Attorney General. "We think that this just adds a little bit of additional protection by switching the county commissioner chair to the county prosecutor," Wheatley said. Multiple local-government witnesses also sought clarity about how state funds could be withheld and asked for an opportunity-to-cure process before penalties are imposed.
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