Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE YES on H0344 - Disaster emergencies, governor (posted 03/01/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: emailidaho.com

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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During COVID, formerly free US Citizens were subjected to “public health emergencies” that stripped away our rights, cost taxpayers dearly, destroyed businesses, wrecked families, and mandated and coerced experimental medical treatments. Idaho’s legislators were virtually helpless to intervene as the governor repeatedly renewed public health emergencies in lock-step with one-size-fits all edicts from federal authorities.

H0344 amends 46-1008. THE GOVERNOR AND DISASTER EMERGENCIES by placing additional restrictions on the governor's ability to declare and maintain a state of disaster emergency. It provides more legislative oversight and limits the scope of gubernatorial emergency powers, ensuring that emergency declarations are temporary, focused, and do not infringe on individual liberties. H0344 is a MUST PASS bill for Idahoans.

Key features:

• A disaster emergency can be declared only if the governor has simultaneously convened a special legislative session addressing the emergency.

• Disaster emergency is limited to a maximum of 60 days from the initial declaration.

• Costs are minimal (~$30K per day of the special emergency session) and well worth the price. Example: Loss in taxes due to business shutdowns easily could pay for the special session.

All other provisions of 46-1008 remain in force, including:

• Governor can issue executive orders during an emergency, but such orders must be narrowly tailored to protect life and property without unnecessarily restricting people's ability to work or contribute to the economy.

• Governor cannot use an emergency declaration to alter existing state laws, seize firearms, or impose additional restrictions on constitutional rights such as firearm possession, assembly, or religious freedom.

References:

• US Declarations of a Public Health Emergency: aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/…

• 12th Amendment to Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19: federalregister.gov/doc…

• Idaho Governor Executive Orders: gov.idaho.gov/executive… (search for COVID in the years 2020-2022)