Constitutional amendment to clarify county probation authority heads to ballot

Legislation to make a one-word change to the Idaho Constitution, to clarify that the state Board of Correction has jurisdiction over adult felony probation and parole, but counties can handle misdemeanor probation, passed the House today with just three “no” votes; it had earlier passed the Senate unanimously. The one word the measure adds to the Constitution: “felony.” The three “no” votes in the House came from Reps. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries; Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton; and Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls. Now that it’s passed both houses by more than a two-thirds margin, the measure goes on the next general election ballot for voters to decide.