Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: HCR024 – Memorial Resolution for Fallen Firefighters
Bill Summary
House Concurrent Resolution No. 24 honors Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison Jr., who were killed in the line of duty on June 29, 2025, while responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The resolution also recognizes Engineer David Tysdal, who was critically wounded in the same incident and demonstrated remarkable resilience in his recovery.
The resolution extends condolences to the families of the fallen firefighters and expresses gratitude to all first responders across Idaho who risk their lives to protect their communities. It commits the Legislature to supporting measures that enhance first responder safety and directs that enrolled copies be presented to the families of the honored individuals, the International Association of Fire Fighters, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department.
This is a ceremonial resolution that creates no new laws, appropriates no funds, and establishes no new programs or policies. It serves solely as a formal expression of honor, gratitude, and condolence from the Idaho Legislature.
Overall Assessment
This concurrent resolution is entirely ceremonial in nature, honoring fallen and injured firefighters without establishing any substantive policy changes. The resolution contains no provisions related to any of the evaluated policy metrics, as it focuses exclusively on memorializing Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison Jr., recognizing Engineer David Tysdal, and expressing general support for first responders. While the resolution commits to “supporting measures that enhance their safety,” it creates no specific programs, appropriates no funds, and enacts no regulatory or legislative changes. Consequently, the resolution receives a score of zero across all nineteen evaluation metrics.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The resolution is purely ceremonial and contains no provisions addressing fiscal responsibility, taxation, government spending, budgeting, or legislative operations. It neither appropriates funds nor establishes any programs that would impact government size or constitutional obligations. The resolution's commitment to "supporting measures that enhance their safety" creates no binding fiscal or policy obligations.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The resolution does not address citizen participation in government, election processes, voting methods, or political discourse. It is a memorial resolution honoring specific individuals and does not engage with any aspects of civic engagement, primary elections, ranked-choice voting, or election integrity as defined in this metric.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to education at any level, including K-12 education, higher education, school choice, curriculum standards, or parental rights in education. The resolution's sole focus is honoring fallen and injured firefighters, with no connection to educational policy or institutions.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The resolution does not address agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural markets, water rights for agriculture, or any related matters. The ceremonial nature of the resolution honoring firefighters has no connection to agricultural policy or the protection of farming and ranching interests.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to water rights, water management, appropriation doctrine, dam operations, or federal interference in water policy. While the incident involved responding to a brush fire, the resolution does not address water resources or water-related policy matters.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
Although the resolution mentions a "brush fire on Canfield Mountain," it does not address natural resource management, environmental stewardship, forest health, land management, or wilderness designation. The resolution is purely commemorative and establishes no environmental or natural resource policies.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to energy policy, energy independence, hydroelectric power, natural gas development, nuclear energy, or energy deregulation. The ceremonial resolution honoring firefighters has no connection to energy-related matters.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The resolution does not reference the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology development, or any related scientific or research initiatives. The resolution's focus on honoring firefighters is entirely unrelated to INL operations or nuclear energy research.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or property development regulations. The ceremonial nature of the resolution honoring fallen firefighters does not engage with property rights issues.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The resolution does not address state or federal land management, land ownership, land transfers, or sovereignty over public lands. While the incident occurred on Canfield Mountain, the resolution establishes no policies regarding land management or administration.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or habitat protection. The ceremonial resolution honoring firefighters has no connection to wildlife management policies or practices.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The resolution does not address economic policy, commerce, industry development, small business, labor regulations, or transportation infrastructure. The resolution is purely ceremonial and creates no economic policies or programs that would impact Idaho's economy.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
While the resolution mentions Engineer David Tysdal's critical injuries and recovery, it does not address healthcare delivery systems, health insurance, health savings accounts, welfare programs, or medical conscience clauses. The resolution establishes no health or welfare policies as defined in this metric.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
Although the resolution extends condolences to "the families of fallen first responders" and acknowledges their "profound loss and hardship," it does not address family policy, marriage, parental rights, right to life, or protection of children as defined in this metric. The resolution is ceremonial recognition rather than family policy legislation.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to older Americans, policies affecting seniors, retirement security, or work opportunities for older citizens. The ceremonial resolution honoring firefighters does not engage with issues specific to older Americans.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
While the resolution acknowledges that the firefighters were victims of a "premeditated attack" and recognizes "the daily risks faced by firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and other first responders," it does not address gun rights, death penalty, drug policy, incarceration, juvenile justice, or state sovereignty in law enforcement. The resolution creates no law enforcement or criminal justice policies.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The resolution does not address national defense, military policy, veterans' affairs, border security, or terrorism prevention. While it honors first responders, this metric specifically addresses military and border security matters, which are not covered in this ceremonial resolution for firefighters.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to judicial elections, selection of judges, Idaho Supreme Court justices, or constitutional interpretation. The ceremonial resolution honoring firefighters has no connection to judicial matters or court operations.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The resolution contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, government restrictions on religious practice, or religious liberty protections. The ceremonial nature of the resolution honoring fallen firefighters does not engage with religious liberty issues.