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H 185

An act relating to developing and implementing a universal primary care program

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ela Chapin and 13 co-sponsors

Idaho H 185 raises catastrophic search reimbursements to $8,000 and reorders SAR Fund subaccounts, with an emergency clause and July 1, 2025 effective date.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 185

Summary — H 185 (Idaho) / Note on conflicting docket information

Important note: the materials provided mix two different bills that share the number “H 185” in different jurisdictions. The substantive bill text and amendment included here are for Idaho House Bill 185 (Idaho State Police — Search and Rescue Fund). Separately, there is an unrelated Massachusetts House Docket No. 185 (HD 1632) concerning host community agreements and cannabis industry equity. This summary focuses on the Idaho H 185, which is the bill reflected in the full text, amendment, and most legislative actions supplied.

Main purpose

Amend Idaho Code §67‑2913 to revise how moneys in the Search and Rescue Fund’s subaccounts are used — principally by increasing certain reimbursement thresholds for catastrophic search reimbursements, updating internal references, and declaring an emergency with an effective date.

Key provisions and changes

  • Maintains the Search and Rescue Fund with four subaccounts: cost reimbursement, training, catastrophic search, and equipment purchase matching.
  • Increases the threshold for reimbursement treatment of high-cost searches:
    • The bill revises language so that the first $4,000 of an individual claim (cost reimbursement subaccount) and amounts in excess are tied to a higher benchmark of $8,000 in some amended lines. (Senate amendment text inserts “four thousand dollars ($4,000) eight thousand dollars ($8,000)” in affected paragraphs; intent is to adjust the catastrophic threshold to $8,000.)
  • Quarterly claims and reimbursements:
    • Sheriff’s offices submit reimbursement claims quarterly; the director of the Idaho State Police pays once per quarter.
    • Reimbursement split: the first $4,000 (now reflected alongside an $8,000 figure in the amendment) reimbursed from the cost reimbursement subaccount; amounts above that reimbursed from the catastrophic search subaccount.
    • If catastrophic subaccount funds are insufficient in a quarter, reimbursements are made pro rata; unpaid portions may be re‑claimed in subsequent quarters.
  • Fund flow and caps:
    • 100% of certain receipts (from Idaho Code §§49‑448 and 63‑2412) go to the cost reimbursement subaccount.
    • 50% of the additional fine under §36‑1405 is deposited to the cost reimbursement subaccount; the other 50% is deposited to the equipment purchase matching subaccount.
    • When balances exceed set thresholds, excesses transfer among subaccounts:
    • Cost reimbursement excess over $25,000 → equipment purchase matching.
    • Equipment matching excess over $15,000 → training subaccount.
    • Training excess over $20,000 → catastrophic search subaccount.
  • Equipment purchase matching rules:
    • Director may match local funds to buy equipment for local SAR units up to $2,000 per unit per year.
    • Cost‑sharing required: 35% local / 65% equipment purchase matching subaccount.
  • Technical corrections:
    • Clarifies agency naming (Idaho State Police / department of law enforcement) and makes minor title corrections.
  • Investment:
    • State treasurer may invest fund moneys; earnings return to the fund.
  • Emergency clause and effective date:
    • Declares an emergency; the act is effective July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: county sheriff’s offices and local search-and-rescue units (reimbursements, training grants, equipment matching).
  • The Idaho State Police (director) administers reimbursements and subaccount distributions.
  • No new dedicated state or local expenditures are created beyond existing fund flows.

Fiscal impact and procedure/timeline

  • Fiscal note (proponent-prepared) states no increase or decrease in state or local revenue or additional expenditures — no fiscal impact.
  • Legislative actions in the record indicate passage in the Idaho Legislature, transmittal to and signing by the Governor (reported signed March 31, 2025), with the act effective July 1, 2025.
  • A hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 listed in the record likely pertains to a separate docket (see note at top) and should be verified against the appropriate jurisdiction.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a redlined comparison showing exactly where dollar amounts and paragraph language were changed, or
- Draft a short FAQ for sheriff offices explaining the new quarterly claim process and thresholds.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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