Panel approves $200,000 trailer for prisoner-recovery costs tied to HB 684

Chairman Tanner opened the joint session and heard from Noah Peterson, budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, who presented a trailer appropriation related to House Bill 684.

Peterson said the bill would create Idaho Code section 20‑269 to authorize a sheriff’s office to seek reimbursement for the cost of collecting a prisoner, probationer or parolee who absconds from out of state while under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Department of Correction. He said the fiscal note estimates actual expenditures will depend on case counts but “will not exceed $200,000.”

Representative Manwaring moved to add $200,000 ongoing to the Department of Correction’s County and Out‑of‑State Placement Division; Representative Furness seconded. The committees then recorded votes. Chairman Tanner announced the Senate recorded seven ayes, one nay and two absent/excused, and the House recorded 10 ayes and zero nays; the motion passed and will carry a do‑pass recommendation.

During brief questioning, members asked why the reimbursement mechanism had changed from prior practice (payments through the Board of Examiners). Peterson said he could not speak to the policy rationale or why a different process was chosen and limited his remarks to the bill language and fiscal impact.

The committee moved the recommendation without further amendment. The item will proceed with the committee’s do‑pass recommendation to the floor.