Bill Outlawing Unfunded State Mandates Passes House

Legislation outlawing unfunded state mandates on city or county government narrowly passed the House Tuesday, after a long and emotional debate. The bill, HB303, now goes to Gov. Phil Batt.

The vote was 37-31, with many opponents saying the thrice-amended bill was unworkable. “I think this is a mess,” said Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls. “I think we’re asking for a lawsuit every time we pass a bill.”

The bill prohibits the Legislature, in most cases, from passing legislation that will cost cities or counties money without providing funding. If cities or counties objected to a bill as an unfunded mandate, and served notice of that objection before the bill passed, they could refuse to comply with it.

House Speaker Mike Simpson, who proposed the bill, vigorously defended it.

“I think if we require local governments to do something, we oughta be willing to find a way to pay for it,” he said.

Three North Idaho representatives voted for the amended bill: Reps. John Campbell, R-Sandpoint; Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls; and Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene.

Voting no were Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden; Jim Clark, R-Hayden; Chuck Cuddy, D-Orofino; June Judd, D-St. Maries; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; and Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint.

, DataTimes