Bill 1141 will require cities and counties across the state to prohibit, and enforce or face litigation, a dangerously broad definition of “camping or sleeping in public spaces”. The bill will worsen the crisis, increase taxpayer costs, and make solving homelessness harder at every turn. – Our Path Home

Senate Bill 1141 proposes a statewide ban on unauthorized public “camping” or sleeping in Idaho. It prohibits political subdivisions (e.g., cities and counties) from permitting or enabling camping or sleeping on public property, including roads, rights-of-way, and public building grounds.

The bill:

• Defines “public camping or sleeping” as residing or lodging in temporary outdoor spaces, including tents, motor vehicles, and recreational vehicles.
• Criminalizes sitting, lying, or sleeping on public walkways if it obstructs pedestrian access.
• Exempts designated recreational camping areas, Idaho rest areas, and private businesses that allow overnight parking.
• Allows individuals and businesses to sue cities or counties that do not enforce this ban, with potential damages and attorney’s fees.
• Empowers the Idaho Attorney General to sue local governments that fail to comply.

It’s important to note that this bill directly targets our most vulnerable neighbors, and as an emergency measure, it would take effect immediately upon passage.

The City of Boise opposes SB 1141 because it will require cities to divert limited staff and financial resources from addressing homelessness to avoid private lawsuits or investigation by the Attorney General regarding no-camping enforcement. – Boise Office of the Mayor

We understand time is limited.

If you can only make one phone call, please call the State Affairs Committee: (208) 332-1146

If you can only send one email, click on the link below to send a message to your LOCAL Senator based on your address.

Note: This bill would have statewide ramifications and we need statewide support! Share your passion to stop this harmful bill with your friends and family across Idaho!

Further communications directed to individual members of the State Affairs Committee should be directed at: 

• State Affairs Committee, hstaf@house.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1146
• Senator Codi Galloway, CGalloway@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1176
• Chair, Jim Guthrie: JGuthrie@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1348
• Vice Chair, Treg A. Bernt: TBernt@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1331
• Kelly Arthur Anthon: KAnthon@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1327
• Mark Harris: MHarris@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1429
• Ben Toews: BToews@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1322
• Lori  Den Hartog: LDenHartog@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1340
• Ben Adams: BAdams@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1336
• Brandon Shippy: BShippy@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1325
• James D. Ruchti: JRuchti@senate.idaho.gov; (208) 332-1406

Criminalizing Homelessness Creates More Problems Than It Solves

• Evidence shows criminalization worsens the crisis by creating additional barriers to housing and prolonging homelessness (NAEH 2024)
• People experiencing homelessness often have nowhere else to go due to shelter shortages and lack of affordable housing
• The bill’s overly broad definition of “camping” criminalizes basic human activities such as:
  • Sleeping in one’s car for any amount of time
  • Resting in a park or on grass beside a greenbelt
  • Sitting or lying down in public spaces at any time of day

  Unconstitutional and Legally Problematic

  • Federal courts have repeatedly ruled that banning outdoor sleeping is unconstitutional when adequate shelter alternatives don’t exist (Martin v. Boise, 2019)
  • This bill ignores established legal precedent, inviting costly litigation that burdens taxpayers
  • The bill enables virtually unlimited litigation from “aggrieved parties,” creating unpredictable legal exposure for local governments

  Undermines Local Control and Proven Solutions

  • Cities and counties should maintain authority to create tailored solutions for their communities
  • The bill dismantles existing successful programs like those in Boise, where 93% of people in supportive housing programs remain housed after two years
  • Housing-first approaches in Ada County have saved local partners $8.8 million in avoided costs over five years (2023 Evaluation)

  Imposes Massive Unfunded Enforcement Burden

  • Strips law enforcement of necessary discretion when responding to homelessness situations
  • Creates substantial costs that will be borne entirely by local taxpayers, not the state
  • Requires local law enforcement to:
    • Develop extensive new local codes and enforcement procedures
    • Continuously patrol all public spaces 24/7
    • Process citations, arrests, property logging, and detailed record-keeping
    • Divert resources from critical public safety activities

  Disproportionately Harms Vulnerable Populations

  • Targets families, veterans, and people with disabilities without providing alternatives
  • Forces unhoused people into more dangerous, hidden locations when shelters are at capacity
  • Creates a cycle of citations, arrests, and criminal records that make securing housing and employment even more difficult

  Redirects Resources Away from Proven Solutions

  • Instead of investing in enforcement and litigation, these resources should be directed toward solutions that have demonstrated success in reducing homelessness
  • Effective alternatives that deserve funding include:
    • Shelter with supportive services
    • Permanent supportive housing
    • Affordable rental assistance
    • Mental health and addiction recovery programs
    • Employment training and support

Subject: Vote NO on SB 1141

Dear Senator [Last Name],

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent from [City/County] to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 1141, which would criminalize homelessness across our state without addressing its root causes.

The bill’s overly broad definition of “camping” is particularly troubling. By criminalizing activities like resting in a park, sleeping in one’s car, or sitting on public walkways at any time of day, SB 1141 effectively makes basic human needs illegal without providing any alternatives. Federal courts have already ruled in Martin v. Boise (2019) that banning outdoor sleeping is unconstitutional when adequate shelter alternatives don’t exist—an issue we consistently face in the Boise community as shelter reach capacity every night. 

As a taxpayer, I’m deeply concerned about the financial burden this bill would impose on our local communities, forcing local governments to:

• Divert law enforcement from addressing serious crime to patrolling public spaces 24/7
• Develop extensive new enforcement procedures
• Defend against potentially unlimited litigation
• Shoulder all these costs locally, as the bill provides no state funding

Evidence shows housing-focused approaches are more effective and economical. In Ada County, 93% of people in supportive housing stay housed after two years, saving $8.8 million over five years. Rather than threatening local governments with litigation for non-enforcement, we should be supporting and expanding these proven solutions.

The most vulnerable in our communities—families, veterans, and people with disabilities—would be disproportionately harmed by this bill. Without addressing the shortage of affordable housing and necessary support services, SB 1141 would simply force unhoused individuals into more dangerous, hidden locations while creating additional barriers to their stability through citations, arrests, and criminal records. Rather than criminalizing basic human needs, I urge you to vote NO on SB 1141 and instead support proven solutions:

• Increased investment in shelter and supportive services
• Expanded permanent supportive housing
• Affordable rental assistance programs
• Mental health and addiction recovery services
• Employment training and support

Thank you for considering my concerns.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email]

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to urge Senator [NAME] to vote NO on SB 1141. This bill would criminalize homelessness without addressing its root causes.”

Key Points (choose 2-3 that matter most to you)

• “The bill’s extremely broad definition of ‘camping’ would criminalize basic activities like sleeping in cars or resting in parks, which violates established court precedents.”
• “This bill would create a massive unfunded mandate for our local communities, forcing police to patrol public spaces instead of focusing on serious crime.”
• “Evidence shows housing-first approaches are more effective and cost-efficient. In Ada County, supportive housing programs have a 93% success rate and have saved $8.8 million over five years.”
• “This bill would harm vulnerable populations including families and veterans while making it even harder for them to find stability.”

Ask

“Instead of criminalizing homelessness, I urge the Senator to support solutions like increased shelter capacity, affordable housing, and supportive services. Will Senator [Last Name] commit to voting NO on SB 1141?”

Wrap-Up

“Thank you for your time. Could I get your name? And would you mind telling me if the Senator has taken a position on this bill?”

Optional: “I’d appreciate if you could let me know the Senator’s decision on this matter. My phone number is [Your Phone] and my email is [Your Email].”

“Thank you again for taking my message. Have a good day.”