Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0670 – Urban Renewal District Withdrawal Rights for Fire/EMS
Bill Summary
House Bill 670 amends Idaho Code Section 50-2906 to modify the withdrawal process for fire protection districts and ambulance service districts from urban renewal revenue allocation financing provisions. The bill introduces new subsection (5)(d), which prohibits urban renewal agencies from denying withdrawal requests under two specific circumstances: when no outstanding bonds, contractual obligations, or indebtedness exist that are funded by the district’s revenue allocation proceeds, or when the agency has sufficient revenue from other sources to cover such obligations. Additionally, subsection (5)(f) provides a clear definition of “contractual obligation” as an obligation expressly set forth in a written contract or agreement executed by the parties.
The legislation applies to urban renewal plans established before July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause that makes the act effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor. By establishing these parameters, the bill creates a more structured framework for fire protection and ambulance service districts seeking to reclaim tax revenue currently allocated to urban renewal agencies.
Overall Assessment
This bill received a total score of 0 across all evaluation metrics because it addresses a narrow procedural matter involving the relationship between fire protection/ambulance service districts and urban renewal agencies. The legislation focuses exclusively on the administrative process for withdrawing from revenue allocation financing arrangements and does not substantively engage with any of the policy areas covered by the evaluation framework. While the bill may have implications for local government finance and the funding of emergency services, these effects are indirect and procedural in nature rather than directly advancing specific policy objectives outlined in the metrics.
The bill’s technical focus on defining contractual obligations and establishing conditions for withdrawal requests places it outside the scope of the broader policy themes evaluated in this framework. None of the eighteen metrics—ranging from responsible government and education to natural resources, health and welfare, or law and order—are directly addressed or advanced by this legislation. The bill represents a targeted adjustment to existing statutory provisions governing intergovernmental financial relationships rather than a comprehensive policy initiative aligned with any particular ideological or programmatic goal.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill addresses procedural aspects of urban renewal financing and district withdrawals but does not directly engage with broader principles of governmental responsibility, fiscal accountability, or constitutional governance that would warrant a positive score under this metric.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill modifies administrative procedures between governmental entities and does not contain provisions related to citizen participation, transparency, public input processes, or mechanisms for direct citizen involvement in government decision-making.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
This legislation deals exclusively with fire protection and ambulance service district financing arrangements and contains no provisions related to educational policy, school funding, curriculum, or educational governance.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill addresses urban renewal financing and emergency service district withdrawals, with no connection to agricultural policy, farming operations, ranching, or rural agricultural interests.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
This legislation concerns intergovernmental financial arrangements and does not address water rights, water resource management, irrigation, or any water-related policy matters.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill focuses on revenue allocation procedures between local government entities and contains no provisions related to natural resource management, environmental protection, or conservation policies.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This legislation addresses fire and ambulance district financing mechanisms and does not engage with energy policy, energy production, energy infrastructure, or related matters.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill concerns local government revenue allocation procedures and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratories, nuclear research, or related federal facilities.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
While urban renewal can affect property values and tax assessments, this bill addresses only the procedural relationship between government entities regarding revenue allocation and does not directly engage with private property rights protections or takings issues.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This legislation deals with local government financing arrangements and contains no provisions related to state lands, federal lands, land management, or public land policy.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses urban renewal financing procedures and has no connection to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, or conservation of wildlife resources.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill may have indirect economic effects through its impact on local government financing, it does not directly address economic development policy, business regulation, taxation policy, or broader economic principles that would warrant scoring under this metric.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
Although the bill affects ambulance service districts, it addresses only the financial and procedural aspects of revenue allocation rather than substantive health care policy, welfare programs, or public health initiatives.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
This legislation concerns intergovernmental financial procedures and does not address family policy, parental rights, marriage, child welfare, or other family-related matters.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill modifies revenue allocation procedures for emergency service districts and contains no provisions specifically related to senior citizens, elder care, retirement security, or aging policy.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
While fire protection and ambulance services contribute to public safety, this bill addresses only administrative financing procedures rather than substantive law enforcement policy, criminal justice reform, or public safety initiatives.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
This legislation deals with local government revenue allocation and has no connection to national defense, border security, immigration enforcement, or related federal security matters.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill addresses urban renewal financing procedures and contains no provisions related to judicial selection, court structure, or the election of judges.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
This legislation concerns intergovernmental financial arrangements and does not address religious freedom, conscience rights, or religious liberty protections.