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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Measure increasing penalty for attacking Idaho parks officers clears House; heads to Gov. Little

“We are the only state park in Idaho with a shooting range,” said Farragut State Park Ranger Jim Mallet as he walked near the shooting targets made in 1942 when the park was a Naval Training Station. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho – Legislation to increase penalties for a person who attacks an Idaho Parks and Recreation employee authorized to enforce state laws is heading to Gov. Brad Little.

The House voted 37-28 on Thursday to approve the change to make the punishment for assaulting an Idaho parks compliance enforcement officer the same as assaulting police officers, public defenders, correctional officers, firefighter and others.

Republican Sen. Dan Johnson says a parks employee was attacked in Hells Gate State Park last year, but a judge dismissed the case because the charges were filed under an Idaho code that doesn’t include parks employees.

If Little signs the bill, attacking a parks enforcement officer with the intent to commit a serious felony could result in a 25-year prison sentence.

The bill passed the Senate in February.