There was no debate against it, but many, many questions from other lawmakers before HB 514, Rep. Wendy Horman’s bipartisan legislation to establish an Office of School Safety and Security within the existing state Division of Building Safety, passed the House, 51-16 today. The division already conducts safety inspections in Idaho schools. The new office would also provide, for all Idaho schools, security assessments and training, identification of areas of vulnerability, and technical assistance for schools to improve their safety and security.

It would be funded by $300,000 in existing dedicated funds from the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program, plus $270,000 from the state general fund.

Many of the lawmakers asking questions, including Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, questioned “how that is not adding another layer of government.” Horman said it’s an existing function of state government, within the Division of Building Safety.

Luker was among the 18 “no” votes; Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, asked to be recused from voting, as he is involved in a family business that installs alarm systems.

The other “no” votes were Reps. Barbieri, Bateman, Batt, Cheatham, Dayley, Dixon, Harris, Holtzclaw, McMillan, Monks, Nate, Palmer, Scott, Sims, Thompson, Trujillo and VanderWoude. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian; Rep. Patrick McDonald, R-Boise; and Rep. Sue Chew, D-Boise.