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H 556

STATE PRISONERS HOUSED IN COUNTY JAILS – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding per diem costs of state prisoners housed in county jails.

68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

Idaho law revised to adjust per diem reimbursement rates for state prisoners housed in county jails, affecting state-county cost sharing.

Reported Signed by Governor on March 24, 2026 Session Law Chapter 119 Effective: 07/01/2026
#correctiondepartment #counties #fees #jails #prisonsandprisoners #sheriffs
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Bill Summary · H 556

Legislative bill overview

House Bill 556 amends Idaho law to revise how per diem (daily) costs are calculated and reimbursed for state prisoners housed in county jails. The bill modifies the financial arrangement between the state and counties regarding prisoner housing expenses. The specific changes to the per diem cost structure are not detailed in the available bill summary.

Why is this important

County jails across Idaho house state prisoners, and how costs are split between state and local governments directly affects county budgets and jail operations. Changes to per diem rates can either relieve or strain county finances, potentially affecting jail capacity, staffing, and services. This is a recurring policy issue as states continuously balance corrections costs between state prisons and local jails.

Potential points of contention

  • County fiscal impact: Whether the revised per diem adequately compensates counties for actual housing costs or shifts financial burden
  • Prisoner placement decisions: How rate changes may influence whether the state uses county jails versus state facilities for housing prisoners
  • Consistency and fairness: Whether the new per diem rate is uniform across all counties or varies by jurisdiction, affecting equitable treatment

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

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