H0261 – Amendment to County Jail Per Diem Reimbursements

Oct 9, 2025

Bill Summary

The bill amends the per diem reimbursement rates for counties housing prisoners, increasing the daily rate from $55 to $150 for the first seven days and from $75 to $200 for subsequent days. It maintains the state board of correction’s responsibility for ordinary medical and dental expenses and the existing provisions on pro-rata responsibility for damages or injuries. The bill also includes an emergency clause for immediate effect and retroactive application to January 1, 2025.

Overall Summary

The bill primarily aligns positively with fiscal responsibility by ensuring that the government entity mandating the program (state board of correction) provides adequate funding, reflecting a responsible management of public funds. It also supports the principle of government transparency in financial matters. However, the increase in per diem rates could be viewed as expanding government spending, which might be seen as negative under strict fiscal conservatism.

Rating: 1

Reason for Rating

ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (Rating: 1)

The bill aligns with fiscal responsibility by ensuring that the state provides adequate funding for the services it mandates, which is consistent with the belief that the government entity which mandates a program should fund it.

ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (Rating: 0)

The bill does not directly impact citizen involvement in government processes or decision-making, thus it is neutral in this context.

ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (Rating: 0)

The bill does not address issues related to education, making its impact neutral in this area.

ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (Rating: 0)

This bill does not pertain to agricultural policies or practices, so its impact is neutral regarding agriculture.

ARTICLE V. WATER (Rating: 0)

The bill does not involve water management or policy, resulting in a neutral rating in this area.

ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (Rating: 0)

The bill does not address environmental or natural resource issues, so its impact is neutral.

ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (Rating: 0)

There is no direct connection between the bill and energy policies or practices, leading to a neutral impact.

ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (Rating: 0)

The bill does not relate to Idaho National Laboratories or related research and development, so its impact is neutral.

ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (Rating: 0)

The bill does not involve issues of private property rights, resulting in a neutral impact.

ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (Rating: 0)

This bill does not address the management or ownership of state and federal lands, so its impact is neutral.

ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (Rating: 0)

The bill does not concern wildlife management, thus it has a neutral impact in this area.

ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (Rating: 0)

While the bill involves financial transactions between state and county governments, it does not directly impact broader economic policies or business environments, leading to a neutral rating.

ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (Rating: 0)

The bill does not address health and welfare policies directly, so its impact is neutral.

ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (Rating: 0)

The bill does not impact family structures or values directly, resulting in a neutral impact.

ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (Rating: 0)

There is no direct impact on policies or issues affecting older Americans, so the rating is neutral.

ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (Rating: 0)

Although the bill deals with the incarceration of state prisoners in county jails, it does not directly address broader issues of law, order, or justice reforms, so its impact is neutral.

ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (Rating: 0)

The bill does not relate to national defense or border security, resulting in a neutral impact.

ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (Rating: 0)

This bill does not involve the election or appointment of judges or justices, so its impact is neutral.

ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (Rating: 0)

The bill does not address issues related to religious liberty, leading to a neutral impact.

Read the Full Bill Text »