Rating: +1

Bill Summary:

Senate Bill 1141 establishes a statewide prohibition on public camping and sleeping in cities with a population of 100,000 or more. The bill bars cities and single countywide highway districts from authorizing camping or sleeping on public property, roadways, or rights-of-way. “Camping” is defined broadly to include tents, bedding, makeshift shelters, or the use of vehicles for sleeping. Exemptions include endowment lands, state parks, Fish and Game lands, rest areas, commercial drivers, and authorized recreational or educational events. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce the law, with cities or districts subject to civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, as well as attorney’s fees and investigative costs. The bill includes an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Reason for Rating:
S1141 strongly aligns with the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s principles of law and order, property rights, and responsible governance. By restricting public camping in major urban centers, it prevents the type of lawless encampments seen in progressive-run cities elsewhere. The bill protects public property for its intended use, reinforces community safety, and holds local governments accountable if they refuse to act. Its targeted application to cities with over 100,000 residents avoids overregulation of smaller communities, preserving proportional governance. By granting enforcement authority to the Attorney General, the bill ensures statewide consistency and deterrence while upholding conservative values of order, safety, and public accountability.