Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0603 – Capitol Mall Camping Restrictions and Property Rules
Bill Summary
House Bill 603 amends Idaho Code to strengthen prohibitions on camping at the Capitol Mall and other state-owned properties. The bill expands the definition of camping to include erecting tents or enclosed structures between sunset and sunrise, and broadens ‘indicia of camping’ to include storing food for future days, laying out sleeping bags or blankets, making fires, and digging or earth breaking. Symbolic tents or enclosed structures must be removed from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless otherwise permitted by Department of Administration rules.
The legislation allows temporary side-free canopies without walls for weather protection, including overnight, as long as they are not used for sleeping. It expands property seizure authority to include any property on state grounds that violates Idaho statutes or administrative rules, not just property remaining after a citation. The bill also makes technical corrections to facility management provisions, including changing ‘multi-agency’ to ‘multiagency’ and ‘City’ to ‘city’ in various references. An emergency clause makes the act effective immediately upon passage.
Overall Assessment
This bill tightens restrictions on camping and overnight presence at Idaho’s Capitol Mall and state facilities by expanding what constitutes prohibited camping activities and requiring removal of enclosed structures during nighttime hours. The legislation grants state authorities broader power to seize and dispose of personal property found in violation of state statutes or rules on public grounds. While the bill permits temporary open canopies for weather protection, it creates new infractions and enforcement mechanisms that primarily affect individuals who might use state property for temporary shelter or extended presence.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill addresses property management and camping restrictions on state facilities, not fiscal responsibility, taxation, or government spending. The provisions regarding Capitol Mall management and enforcement of property rules do not engage with budgeting, appropriations, or financial oversight of government operations.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill regulates physical use of state property through camping prohibitions and property removal requirements. It contains no provisions related to citizen participation in government, election procedures, voting methods, or public engagement in governmental decision-making processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
This legislation concerns state property management at the Capitol Mall and other facilities. It includes no provisions related to schools, curriculum, educational funding, parental rights in education, or higher education policy.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill explicitly excludes 'endowment lands, department of parks and recreation lands or department of fish and game lands' from its camping restrictions. It contains no provisions addressing agricultural policy, farming operations, water rights for agriculture, or rural land use.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
This bill regulates camping and property use on state facilities. It includes no provisions related to water rights, water appropriation, dam management, inter-basin transfers, or water resource policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The legislation focuses on urban state facilities including the Capitol Mall and government buildings in Boise. It explicitly excludes parks and recreation lands from its provisions and does not address natural resource management, environmental protection, or wilderness policy.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses camping prohibitions and property management at state facilities. While it mentions 'electrical, plumbing, sewer, water, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as geothermal systems' as part of facility infrastructure, it contains no provisions related to energy policy, production, or regulation.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This legislation concerns Capitol Mall property management in Boise. It includes no provisions related to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology transfer, or scientific research facilities.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill regulates state-owned or leased property, not private property. Section 67-1613 explicitly states 'No person shall camp on or in any state-owned or leased property or facility.' The property seizure and disposal provisions in Section 67-1613A apply to personal belongings left on public state property, not to private real property or development rights.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This bill affirms state Department of Administration control over existing state-owned Capitol Mall properties. It does not address federal land ownership, transfer of federal lands to state control, or management of federal lands within Idaho.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The legislation explicitly excludes 'department of fish and game lands' from its camping restrictions. It contains no provisions related to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or recreational access to wildlife areas.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill regulates individual conduct on state property through camping prohibitions and infraction penalties. It does not address commerce, industry, small business regulation, labor policy, or transportation infrastructure.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
This legislation establishes property use restrictions and infractions for camping violations. It includes no provisions related to healthcare delivery, health insurance, medical decision-making, welfare programs, or child support enforcement.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill addresses camping restrictions on state property and property seizure procedures. It contains no provisions related to family values, marriage, abortion, parental rights, or child welfare policies.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This legislation regulates property use at state facilities. It includes no provisions specifically addressing older Americans, retirement security, Social Security, Medicare, or services for seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
While the bill creates infractions for camping violations and grants enforcement authority to state police, sheriffs, and local police, it addresses minor public order offenses on state property. It does not engage with gun rights, death penalty, drug policy, incarceration reform, juvenile justice, or immigration enforcement.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill concerns property management at Idaho's Capitol Mall and state facilities. It contains no provisions related to national defense, military veterans, border security, National Guard deployment, or immigration policy.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This legislation regulates state property use and facility management. While Section 67-5709 mentions the Idaho Supreme Court building, it only addresses property management jurisdiction and does not concern judicial selection, elections, or constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill establishes camping prohibitions and property use restrictions on state facilities. It contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and does not specifically target or exempt religious activities.