Senate Bill 1254

2016 Freedom Index Score: (-1)

Analyst: Fred Birnbaum
Date: February 9, 2016

ANALYST'S NOTE: Senate Bill 1254 amends Idaho code to remove any markings for a vehicle in
the personal service of the governor. The bill also allows the Idaho State Police (ISP) to use
unmarked patrol cars for traffic enforcement purposes and to enforce any law in the state of
Idaho. Current code allows the ISP to only use unmarked vehicles for confidential investigative
purposes. The bill does require that 90 percent of the vehicles under the custody and control of
the director of the ISP be marked. The bill clearly states that no markings will be needed for traffic
enforcement and that emergency lighting need not be externally mounted.
Point No. 8 Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity
or otherwise compromise government transparency or accountability?

ANALYSIS: Senate Bill 1254 reduces government transparency as it allows the ISP to use
unmarked cars, in up to 10 percent of its fleet, to enforce any and all laws in the state of
Idaho. The bills statement of purpose suggests that the unmarked patrol cars will target
aggressive, impaired, reckless, and inattentive drivers, but the bill allows the ISP to use
unmarked cars in any enforcement capacity including those where public safety is not at
risk. (-1)