A new informal Idaho Attorney General's opinion, issued today in response to a request from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, says there are no constitutional problems with HB 500, the cooperative law enforcement legislation proposed by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. "It's perfectly clear," Clark said. "I think the A.G.'s analysis is right on the mark - all the constitutional issues just go away. Now let's talk about real issues, let's try to get some public safety for people who are non-Indians living on Indian reservations."

Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane found no conflicts between the bill and the Idaho Constitution on accountability for law enforcement officers, the authority of sheriffs, the granting of privileges or the right of suffrage. Clark said opponents of the bill, including Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, had raised those constitutional concerns. You can read my full story here at spokesman.com, and read the A.G's opinion here.

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