BOISE - Do the Idaho Supreme Court justices need James Bond by their side as they write opinions?

The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration voted Thursday to introduce legislation that would expand government security detail by the Idaho State Police to include the state's Supreme Court justices.

State law provides that ISP duties include protection for the governor and state legislators. The proposed law would have one full-time officer oversee the Idaho Supreme Court, the Idaho Court of Appeals, and the Capitol Mall, the multi-block region of government buildings in Boise.

"It simply extends their responsibilities to government's third branch," said Patti Tobias, administrative director of the Courts.

The legislation was not prompted by a particular event in the past year but is rather the result of an ongoing effort between ISP Col. Jerry Russell and Idaho's courts, Tobias said.

The Supreme Court is a traveling body six times a year. When outside Boise the ISP relies on local law enforcement to assist in providing security for the court. In November, the justices heard cases over three days in Twin Falls County.

But the proposal didn't indicate any impact on the state's budget, and some lawmakers questioned whether that was the case. The ISP included $129,500 for an additional full-time officer, but the funding was not included in Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's budget proposal.

Otter, however, is not opposed to the funding but wants to see the legislation pass first, Tobias said. Still, the legislation could pass without any funding for an additional officer, she said.

Committee member Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, said that he wanted more information on potential fiscal impact. He noted the distinction that courthouses often have electronic security machines while the Legislature is completely open to the public.

"I'd be more comfortable if there was a fiscal impact," Labrador said.

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