Amends existing law to distribute money to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Fund and to revert certain moneys to the General Fund.
PEACE OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING FUND -- Amends existing law to distribute money to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Fund and to revert certain moneys to the General Fund.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
ThisproposalamendsIdahoCodeSection23-404totransfer1.5%oftheLiquorFunddistributiontotheGeneral Fund to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Fund each year. Revenue in the POST Fund is insufficient to support the appropriation in the POST program and as revenues decline over time the problem continues to worsen. Underfunding related to inherent limitations in POST's funding sources has been a persistent concern for over a decade. POST has found it necessary to cut spending to compensate for shortfalls in available cash and has consequently reverted large amounts of appropriation over the last several fiscal years. The problem of insufficient revenues has been addressed with temporary solutions in the form of one-time cash transfers from other funds over the last three fiscal years. Those transfers have had a huge impact on POST’s operations by providing for badly needed repairs and improvements and supporting appropriate staffing levels. However, without a long-term, permanent solution to cash shortfalls POST will continually struggle in future years to deliver services, maintain equipment and facilities, and sustain appropriate staffing levels. POST's spending cuts impact state, county, and city stakeholders throughout Idaho, requiring those agencies to absorb additional costs themselves or opt to delay critical training. Without additional funding, POST will be unable to sustain its current level of services in future years. This will impact law enforcement agencies and public safety throughout the state of Idaho. The additional funding proposed would provide POST with revenue necessary to meet growing demand for services by sustaining appropriate staffing levels, maintaining operations, and providing for necessary repairs, maintenance, and upgrades for POST facilities and equipment.
HOW THEY VOTED
House Third Reading
YEA (57)
ABSENT / NOT VOTING (3)
Senate Third Reading
YEA (34)
NAY (0)
ABSENT / NOT VOTING (1)
LATEST ACTION
Reported Signed by Governor on March 16, 2022 Session Law Chapter 50 Effective: 07/01/2022
BILL INFO
- Session
- 2022
- Chamber
- house
- Status date
- Mar 17, 2022