Bill Description: House Bill 549 would clarify and streamline the process for initiating proceedings for dissolving a hospital district via a petition. 

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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?

Idaho elections and related processes are generally open to all (and only to) electors within the relevant zone or district, but Section 39-1325A, Idaho Code, dealing with petitions for dissolution of hospital districts, deviates from this standard. It says a successful petition must contain “the signatures of qualified electors of the district or owners of property within the district equal in number to ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors and taxpayers of the district.” This language is ambiguous and inconsistent with other election practices and law. 

House Bill 549 would clarify and streamline the process by striking the references to property owners and taxpayers. The amended language would say, “Proceedings for the dissolution of a hospital district may be initiated by a petition containing the signatures of qualified electors of the district equal in number to ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of the district.”

This change would bring the process into compliance with current election standards and provide clarity for Idahoans seeking to eliminate a hospital taxing district.

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