Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0725 – Cities Added to Dept. of Admin Services Eligibility
Bill Summary
House Bill 725 amends Idaho Code Section 67-5767 to explicitly add cities to the list of political subdivisions that may contract with the Director of the Department of Administration for personnel services. These services include group insurance, group annuity, and health care service coverage. The existing law already permitted such arrangements with school districts, public community colleges, public colleges, public universities, and other political subdivisions.
The bill adds the word “cities” in three locations throughout the statute to ensure cities are explicitly included. All services are voluntary and provided under mutually agreed contracts, with costs borne entirely by the contracting entity. The bill also makes a minor grammatical correction, changing “agreed upon” to “agreed on.” An emergency clause makes the bill effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill makes a minor administrative change by explicitly adding cities to the list of entities that may voluntarily contract with the Department of Administration for personnel services like group insurance. Cities already qualified under the existing “other political subdivisions” language, so this change primarily provides statutory clarity. The arrangement remains optional, contract-based, and fully funded by participating cities with no state cost implications.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill adds cities to entities that may voluntarily contract for personnel services under mutually agreed terms. Section 1 specifies that "The cost of any group insurance, group annuity, or health care service coverage so provided and of administration thereof shall be borne by the school district, public community college, public college, public university, city, or other political subdivision." This is a permissive, cost-neutral administrative clarification that does not expand government size or spending.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill addresses administrative contracting authority between the Department of Administration and cities. It contains no provisions related to citizen participation, voting procedures, election integrity, or public engagement in government decision-making.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the existing statute mentions school districts and educational institutions, the bill's only change is adding cities to the eligible entities list. The amendment does not modify educational policy, school choice, parental rights, curriculum standards, or funding mechanisms for educational institutions.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill concerns administrative personnel services for cities and other political subdivisions. It contains no provisions related to agriculture, farming operations, ranching, agricultural water rights, or support for the agricultural industry.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses administrative service contracts for personnel benefits. It contains no provisions related to water rights, prior appropriation doctrine, inter-basin transfers, dam management, or water resource policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill concerns administrative contracting authority for personnel services. It contains no provisions related to natural resource management, environmental regulations, federal land policy, wilderness areas, or forest health.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses personnel service contracts between the Department of Administration and cities. It contains no provisions related to energy independence, resource development, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or electricity rates.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill concerns general administrative services to political subdivisions. It contains no provisions related to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, energy technology development, or technology transfer programs.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill addresses voluntary service contracts between government entities. It contains no provisions related to private property rights, eminent domain, just compensation, regulatory takings, or property development restrictions.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill concerns administrative personnel services for political subdivisions. It contains no provisions related to federal land ownership, state land management, transfer of federal lands, or public land access.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses administrative service contracting authority. It contains no provisions related to wildlife management, fish and game policy, hunting and fishing regulations, predator control, or recreational access to wildlife areas.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill allows cities to optionally contract for personnel services with costs borne entirely by the contracting city. While this could affect local government administrative efficiency, the bill does not address commerce, business regulation, taxation, labor policy, or economic development initiatives.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
Although the bill mentions "health care service coverage" as one type of service that may be provided, this refers to employee benefits administration. The amendment does not change health care policy, insurance mandates, patient rights, welfare programs, or health care delivery systems.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill addresses administrative service contracts for cities. It contains no provisions related to family values, marriage policy, right to life, abortion, parental rights, child protection, or family structure.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill concerns administrative personnel services for political subdivisions. It contains no provisions specifically addressing older Americans, retirement policy, senior services, or age-related employment matters.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill addresses administrative contracting authority for personnel services. It contains no provisions related to criminal justice, gun rights, death penalty, drug policy, incarceration, juvenile justice, or state sovereignty in law enforcement.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill concerns administrative services for cities and other political subdivisions. It contains no provisions related to national defense, veterans affairs, military installations, border security, National Guard operations, or terrorism prevention.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill addresses administrative service contracts between the Department of Administration and cities. It contains no provisions related to judicial selection, judicial elections, constitutional interpretation, or the role of the judiciary.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill concerns administrative personnel service contracts for political subdivisions. It contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, religious expression, or Religious Freedom Restoration Act protections.