Bill Description: House Bill 301 would allow the governor to declare an emergency so a state agency could acquire property after a statutory deadline had passed.
Rating: -3
Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?
Section 67-3502, Idaho Code, requires state agencies that intend to acquire property to prepare a report for the governor and the Legislature. This report is due by Nov. 15 each year.
House Bill 301 would amend this section of code to require this reporting only if the property an agency intends to acquire is estimated to cost $250,000 or more.
Additionally, the bill would give the governor authority to declare "that a request to acquire replacement property that is estimated to cost two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or more" qualifies as an emergency under certain conditions.
Similar authority would be provided for "a request to acquire new property that is estimated to cost between two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) and one million dollars ($1,000,000)."
These emergency requests would be "exempt from the requirement to provide a draft request for proposal" in the report due by Nov. 15. Instead, "draft requests for proposals for emergency requests" would be allowed until March 31.
Creating a high threshold for requiring an agency to prepare a proposal and allowing agencies to bypass deadlines reduces government transparency.
(-1)
Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?
According to the fiscal note for House Bill 301, implementing the provisions of the bill will require four new full-time positions within the Division of Purchasing.
(-1)
Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?
According to the fiscal note for House Bill 301, the four new full-time positions within the Division of Purchasing required to implement the provisions of the bill will cost nearly half a million dollars annually for salary and benefits. The funding for this new spending will come from Idaho taxpayers via the state General Fund.
(-1)
