Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Governor's powers during a disaster emergency.

This legislation protects the separation and balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. This legislation ensures that all Idahoans have the right to work, provide for their families and that they can contribute to the economy during an emergency disaster declaration. The legislation also limits emergency disaster declarations to a maximum of 60 days unless extended under certain provisions. Constitutional rights guaranteed by the United States constitution, and the constitution of the state of Idaho and explicitly the right to assemble for worship are definitively protected in this legislation. The legislation clarifies that the governor may not alter, adjust or suspend Idaho Code during a disaster declaration.

States findings of the Legislature and provides that certain open disaster emergency declarations shall remain open unless terminated by concurrent resolution.

This legislation extends and keeps each of the following emergencies active and open until such time that the legislature terminates them by way of concurrent resolution(s). • Emergency declared February 1, 2016, relating to severe winter storms • Emergency declared April 21, 2017, relating to flooding by rapid snow melt • Emergency declared May 18, 2017, relating to flooding by heavy rains and snow melt • Emergency declared October 7, 2017, relating to river flooding by heavy rains and snow melt • Emergency declared August 27, 2017, relating to spring flooding and snow melt • Emergency declared June 12, 2019, relating to flooding and soil saturation. These emergency declarations were declared under the provisions of Section 46-1008, Idaho Code.

States findings of the Legislature to provide that the state of disaster emergency declared by the Governor regarding novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is terminated, to provide that receipt of federal funds, benefits, or resources arising out of the state of disaster emergency shall not be affected, and to provide that the Governor may make or maintain declarations only to a certain extent.