Bill Description: House Bill 261 would substantially increase the per diem rate the state pays to counties for housing state inmates in their jails.

Rating: -1

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

House Bill 261 would amend Section 20-237A, Idaho Code, to substantially increase the per diem rate the state pays to counties for housing state inmates in county jails. The per-inmate rate would increase from $55 to $150 per day for the first seven days of incarceration and from $75 to $200 per day for each day thereafter. These are increases of 173% and 167% respectively. 

Based on current incarceration rates, the estimated cost of these increases is nearly $28 million annually.

One reason for this bill is that in various counties, voters have rejected proposals to take on additional debt to build or upgrade jails. As the $28 million annual price tag for this bill would ultimately be borne by taxpayers statewide, it is reasonable to view the bill as an attempt to bypass the will of the voters and compel them to fund (albeit indirectly) the jail projects they have repeatedly rejected at the polls.

Counties should be reimbursed for the actual costs of incarcerating state prisoners, but they should not receive more than is necessary for that purpose. 

(-1)