BOISE - A Democrat who has found bipartisan support in some attempts for government reform introduced legislation Monday that would expand the penalties for misuse of public funds to include anyone who works for a public agency.

Senate Minority Caucus Chairwoman Kate Kelly of Boise says the section of code that addresses abuse of public funds has remained relatively unchanged since 1864 and needs updating. Now the only government workers who can explicitly be charged are elected officials or employees who oversee money, such as treasurers or accountants.

Kelly says her efforts stem partly from an Idaho Court of Appeals from 2006 ruling that a Hagerman police officer who charged three hunting licenses worth $90.84 on his city credit card was exempt because dealing with public money wasn't part of his job. She said that any abuse has only increased with transaction cards, which are similar to credit cards.

"It's a big problem," said Kelly, an attorney. "This is not a partisan thing or anything like that. It's just good government."

There have been several cases of public officials in south-central Idaho using public funds for person reasons. In 2003, Twin Falls County Clerk Bob Fort pled guilty and served a year in jail for stealing $64,000. And former Cassia County School district business manager Jim Pehrson served six months in jail with work release after stealing more than $49,127 from the school district.

Last year, a similar bill - but much broader - sponsored by the Attorney General died on the House floor. One of that bill's leading opponents, Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, also an attorney, has signed on as a co-sponsor to this year's effort.

Under the new legislation, there would be staggered levels of penalties. Public officials, elected or appointed, and public employees who oversee public funds would be charged with felony if found guilty. Currently the two groups of workers are charged under separate parts of the law.

Additionally, other employees - including low-level workers such as secretaries or building inspectors - who abuse public funds would be charged with a felony if the amount was more than $300. Any amount less and the charge would be a misdemeanor.

The bill has already garnered bipartisan support. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said that the proposal will clarify a vague part of the law.

"I don't know where to draw the line. I just felt where she has drawn the line I am quite comfortable with," he said.

The bill will now be scheduled for a committee hearing.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 631-793-5717 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com