Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0654 – Electronic Storage Detection Dogs Definition
Bill Summary
House Bill 654 amends Idaho Code Section 18-7039 to expand the definition of police dogs protected under state law. The bill adds a new category called ‘electronic storage detection dog,’ defined as a dog trained to locate electronic storage devices by scent. This addition places these dogs alongside existing protected categories including bomb detection dogs, narcotic detection dogs, patrol dogs, and tracking dogs.
The bill also makes several technical corrections throughout the statute, replacing the word ‘which’ with ‘that’ in four separate definitions (police horse, search and rescue dog, accelerant detection dog, and in a provision about thrown objects). Additionally, it inserts the word ‘or’ before ‘harassing’ in subsection (5) for grammatical clarity. The existing criminal penalties for killing, injuring, or interfering with these animals remain unchanged, including felony charges for causing death or serious injury and misdemeanor charges for harassment or obstruction.
The legislation includes an emergency clause, making it effective July 1, 2026. All existing protections for police dogs, police horses, search and rescue dogs, and accelerant detection dogs continue to apply both when the animals are on duty and off duty.
Overall Assessment
This bill makes purely technical changes to Idaho’s police animal protection statute. It adds a definition for dogs trained to locate electronic storage devices and corrects grammar in several places. The changes do not alter criminal penalties, expand enforcement authority, or modify any substantive protections already in place for law enforcement animals.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill adds a definition for electronic storage detection dogs and makes grammatical corrections by replacing 'which' with 'that' in four instances. These changes do not address government spending, taxation, fiscal responsibility, or regulatory reform.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The amendments expand the definition of police dogs to include electronic storage detection dogs and correct grammar throughout the statute. The bill contains no provisions related to elections, voting procedures, citizen participation, or political processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
This bill modifies definitions within a criminal statute protecting law enforcement animals. It does not address education policy, curriculum, school funding, parental rights in education, or any educational programs.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill adds a new category of police dog and makes technical corrections to existing definitions. It contains no provisions related to farming, ranching, agricultural markets, or agricultural education.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The amendments concern the definition and protection of law enforcement animals. The bill does not address water rights, water management, dam operations, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This bill modifies a criminal statute protecting police dogs and other law enforcement animals. It contains no provisions related to natural resources, environmental policy, land use, or wilderness management.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill adds electronic storage detection dogs to the list of protected police dogs and makes grammatical corrections. It does not address energy policy, energy production, electrical rates, or energy independence.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The amendments expand police dog definitions and correct grammar in existing law. The bill contains no provisions related to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
This bill adds a definition for dogs trained to locate electronic storage devices and makes technical corrections. It does not address private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or property development.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill modifies definitions in a criminal statute protecting law enforcement animals. It contains no provisions related to state or federal land management, land ownership, or land transfers.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The amendments concern domesticated working dogs used by law enforcement, not wildlife. The bill does not address hunting, fishing, predator control, or Idaho Department of Fish and Game policies.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
This bill makes definitional and grammatical changes to a criminal statute. It does not address commerce, small business regulation, labor policy, transportation, or economic development.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill expands the definition of police dogs and corrects grammar in existing animal protection law. It contains no provisions related to healthcare, health insurance, medical decision-making, or welfare programs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The amendments add a new category of police dog and make technical corrections to existing definitions. The bill does not address family values, marriage, parental rights, abortion, or children's welfare.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill modifies definitions in a criminal statute protecting law enforcement animals. It contains no provisions related to older Americans, senior services, or policies affecting seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
While the bill relates to law enforcement tools, it only adds a definition for electronic storage detection dogs and makes grammatical corrections. The existing criminal penalties for harming or interfering with police animals remain unchanged, and the bill does not address criminal justice principles, gun rights, drug policy, or incarceration.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill amends state law regarding police dog definitions and protections. It contains no provisions related to national defense, military veterans, border security, National Guard deployment, or terrorism.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill modifies definitions in a criminal statute protecting law enforcement animals. It does not address judicial elections, court procedures, or constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The amendments expand police dog definitions and make technical corrections to existing law. The bill contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or conscience rights.