Idaho Bills
629 bills · 2020 Regular Session
Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing and designating January 16 as Religious Freedom Day.
The purpose of this resolution is to commemorate and recognize that religious freedom is a fundamental American and human right rooted in our conception of individual liberty and personal freedom. Religious freedom is innate to the dignity and freedom of every person and is foundational to the pursuit of truth. Section 4, Article 1 of the Idaho Constitution guarantees religious liberty. The 1st Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion and prohibits the establishment of governmentally imposed religion. These principles of religious freedom were also articulated by Thomas Jefferson in the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom enacted on January 16, 1786, wherein it was stated that, among other things, "that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion, and that's the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities."
Repeals the Idaho Hospital Liability Trust Act.
Consistent with the Red Tape Reduction Act, this bill seeks to eliminate an obsolete and unnecessary statute. This legislation repeals the Idaho Hospital Liability Trust Act (Chapter 37, Title 41, Idaho Code). No hospital liability trusts are currently registered in the state of Idaho nor have any trusts been registered for several years.
35 – 0
Adds to and amends existing law to establish educational programs regarding electronic smoking devices and to provide for the taxing of certain tobacco products.
The purpose of this legislation is to educate our youth about the dangers of the use of electronic smoking devices by minors. It establishes an education program in each public health district in the State of Idaho. The educational program shall be administered by each public health district to educate students, parents, teachers, and the comm unity at large on the dangers of the use of electronic smoking devices by minors. This legislation also imposes a tax on the cartridges or containers used in electronic smoking devices by amending Idaho Code, Section 63-2551 and 63-2552A. This legislation adds electronic smoking devices to the definition of tobacco products. ThislegislationcreatesandestablishesafundwiththeStateTreasurerknownastheElectronicSmokingDevice Education Fund, to be used by the public health districts to fund their education programs.
Adds to existing law to provide a limitation on taxing district budget requests and levies for 2020.
This legislation freezes the property tax portion of a taxing district's budget for one year with the exception of school taxing districts.
11 – 24
Amends existing law to revise an effective date.
This legislation amends section 49-1234 Idaho Code to specify certain requirements of the online insurance verification program when registering or renewing a vehicle; and providing an effective date of July 1, 2020. The portal with insurance data is already in operation. The Department of Transportation shall suspend the registration of any vehicle identified by the department as failing to comply after the owner has been notified. Idahoans will have at least 30 days to comply. Upon revocation of a registration due to a lack of insurance verification, an owner will be assessed a $75 fee to reregister.
Adds to existing law to establish an Idaho apprenticeship skills program.
Idaho has taken several steps in recent years to encourage the use of apprenticeships as part of workforce development efforts. There is broad recognition that high-quality apprenticeship training provides the sort of on-the-job, real-world skill development not easily found in a traditional classroom setting, and can be a meaningful way to help Idahoans transition from to an educational setting or short-term job to a long-term career. This legislation seeks to expand on those efforts by making it easier for Idahoans to meet licensure requirements through approved, on-the-job apprenticeships. It provides a path to licensure for an applicant who completes an apprenticeship, passes any required examination and pays any required fees. This bill is similar to what has been done for barbers and cosmetologists in the last couple of years and expands it to other licensed occupations. Apprenticeships are defined as programs where skills are learned in a practical, structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised learning. Apprenticeships are based on skills recognized by industry and help participants develop those skills to the industry standard through on-the-job learning and supplemental instruction. The bill requires that licensing boards treat candidates for licensure the same, whether they take a traditional route or seek licensure through apprenticeship. Specifically, boards cannot impose more stringent exam requirements or fees. Finally, the bill requires relevant state agencies to work together to expand the availability of apprenticeship training in the state.
Relates to the appropriation to the State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho for College and Universities and the Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2021.
This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the State Board of Education's Division of College and Universities. It appropriates a total of $629,819,200 and does not cap the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions. This division includes the budgets for Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, the University of Idaho, and Systemwide Programs. For benefit costs, the bill maintains the current appropriated amount for health insurance at $11,650 per eligible FTP and temporarily removes funding for the employer's sick leave contribution rate. The enrollment workload adjustment and endowment adjustments are included. The enrollment workload adjustment includes $1,842,600 ongoing from the General Fund and $988,700 onetime from dedicated funds. The bill also provides funding for the equivalent of a 2% change in employee compensation for permanent state employees, with an additional 2% increase for those in the 20 job classifications most in need of equity adjustments. Funding for a 3% upward shift in the compensation schedule is also included for Boise State University. The bill funds three line items. Line item 1 provides 1.73 FTP and $1,414,600 for occupancy costs, of which $707,300isongoingfromtheGeneralFundand$707,300isonetimefromdedicatedfunds. Lineitem4provides a decrease of $20,800 for adjusted rent for the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center, and line item 5 provides $1,000,000 for cybersecurity programs. Lastly, the ongoing General Fund appropriation is reduced by 2%. This budget is a 0.3% increase on the General Fund, and a total increase of 4.2% for all funds. DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and
32 – 37
Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2021.
This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Department of Agriculture. It appropriates a total of $47,559,800 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 216.00. For benefit costs, the bill maintains the current appropriated amount for health insurance at $11,650 per eligible FTP and temporarily removes funding for the employer's sick leave contribution rate. Funding for replacement items includes $870,800 for network and server equipment, two vehicles and accessories, a ten-wheel truck, lab equipment, and inspection equipment. The bill also provides funding for the equivalent of a 2% change in employee compensation for permanent state employees, with an additional 2% increase for those in the 20 job classifications most in need of equity adjustments. The bill funds six line items, which provide a net-zero internal transfer of 1.00 FTP and $94,700 from the Agricultural Resources Program to the Administration Program to hire a Farm Forward Program Manager; $2,000,000 for the department's match for the new Agriculture Lab; 0.67 FTP and $54,300 from the Weights and Measures Inspection Fund for salaries previously covered by a onetime General Fund appropriation; $31,800 for a CEC and benefit adjustment for inspectors in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program; a shift of $88,900 from federal funds to dedicated funds for a pest program specialist that was previously covered by a federal grant; and $50,000 from the Commercial Feed and Fertilizer Fund for moving costs at the College of Southern Idaho. Also included are adjustments to pay the Office of Information Technology Services for security software and data center office space located at the Chinden Campus; software licensing, server infrastructure, and storage to expand system capabilities on core systems and to maintain agency-specific software; consolidation of technology services; and billings in excess of current appropriations. Lastly, the ongoing General Fund appropriation is
69 – 0
Adds to existing law to prohibit a public entity from entering into certain contracts with companies that boycott Israel.
This bill adds a new section to Idaho Code, Chapter 23, Title 67, stating all public entities may not enter into a contract with any company unless the contract includes certification that the provider of goods and/or services is not and will not be engaged in the boycott of goods and services from Israel or territories under its control. There is a floor of $100,000 in value of fewer than 10 employees. The provisions of this section shall only apply to contracts renewed or entered into on or after July 1, 2020.
Amends existing law to provide that certain chiropractic physicians are qualified health professionals for purposes of returning athletes to play after suspected concussions or head injuries.
This legislation adds an Idaho licensed chiropractic physician to the list of qualified health professionals permitted to return a youth athlete to participation in a sport after healing from a diagnosed concussion. It also allows a chiropractic physician to evaluate a youth athlete for a suspected concussion and make a determination regarding their ability to continue participating in a sporting event. To "return to play", the chiropractic physician must have successfully completed training on the most recent sports concussion assessment tool (SCAT). Training on an equally-rigorous, nationally-recognized concussion assessment tool is also acceptable, such as certifications through the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) or a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP).
Amends existing law to revise provisions for write-in candidates.
This legislation changes the deadline for anyone filing as a write-in candidate in the primary, special, and general elections. The current deadline for all partisan offices is 28 days prior to the election and the deadline for nonpartisan offices is the seventh Friday prior to the election. This legislation changes both deadlines to the eighth Friday prior to the election. This legislation also requires filing fees for all individuals that filing with the Secretary of State's office to pay the corresponding filing fee. Lastly, this legislation allows the Secretary of State's office to design ballots without a write-in line if there has been no declaration.
67 – 1
Relates to the appropriation to the Military Division for fiscal year 2021.
This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Military Division. It appropriates a total of $80,096,900 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 435.80. For benefit costs, the bill maintains the current appropriated amount for health insurance at $11,650 per eligible FTP and temporarily removes funding for the employer's sick leave contribution rate. Funding for replacement items includes $440,900 for vehicles, snowmobiles, microwave equipment, and network equipment. The bill also provides funding for the equivalentofa2%changeinemployeecompensationforpermanentstateemployees, and$470,500formilitary compensation. The bill funds four line items, which provide 14.00 FTP and $957,500 for new positions at the Orchard Combat Training Center; 1.00 FTP and $77,000 for a land rehabilitation position; 6.00 FTP for Youth ChalleNGe; and $1,136,000 for funding of 16 positions. Also included are adjustments to pay the Office of Information Technology Services for security software and data center office space located at the Chinden Campus; and billings in excess of current appropriations. Lastly, the ongoing General Fund appropriation is reduced by 2%. DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and
35 – 0
Amends and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding rental agreements and liens, to provide for a procedure in the event of default where the property stored in the leased space is a vehicle or trailer, and to provide for when an operator may restrict access to the leased space.
This bill updates and amends Sections 55-2301, 55-2304, 55-2305, and 55-2306 Idaho Code; Relating to Self-Service Storage Facilities. It will also add in Idaho Code new Sections to 55-2308, Lessee in Default and 55-2309, Access Restrictions. The referred to statute has not been amended since 1989, before the active use of commonly used practices in today's industry. Amendments include definition updates, identifying reasonable rate for late charges, clarifying endorsement of lien language for consumers and operators, and in the absence of a notice provision in the rental agreement, notices shall be sent by certified mail.
68 – 2
Amends and repeals existing law to dissolve the Electronic Recording Commission.
This bill repeals the Electronic Reporting Commission (ERC), created in Section 31-2905, Idaho Code. At their annual meeting in February 2019, the commission agreed to recommend dissolution of the ERC.
33 – 0
Amends existing law to provide an exception for certificate of competency requirements and to revise provisions regarding exceptions to permit requirements.
Consistent with the Governor's Licensing Freedom Act, this bill seeks to eliminate barriers to licensure, and the need for a license. To make connections from manufactured or mobile home sewer or water facilities to existing sewer or water facilities on site (connections), a person must currently hold a plumbing license or specialty license under title 54, chapter 26, Idaho Code, and an installer license under title 44, chapter 21, Idaho Code. Idaho Code section 54-2601(1) requires connections to be made in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code. Idaho Code section 44-2201(1) requires connections to be made in accordance with the manufacturer's approved installation instructions; applicable state laws or rules pertaining to utility connection, such as the Uniform Plumbing Code; and the Idaho Manufactured Home Installation Standard, which contains the same requirements as the Uniform Plumbing Code. This legislation provides an exception from plumbing licensing requirements for installers of manufactured or mobile homes (installers) to make connections and allows installers to obtain permits to make connections. Because installers must make connections in accordance with the same standards as plumbing licensees, there is no need to require installers to obtain a plumbing license or specialty license to make connections. This legislation is the first step to eventually eliminating IDAPA 07.02.05.017.03, which requires installers to hold a specialty plumbing license to make connections.
64 – 0
Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Administration for the Idaho State Capitol Commission for fiscal year 2021.
This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Idaho State Capitol Commission. It appropriates $2,342,000 and will fund the following: 1. $142,000 for general operating expenses, including administrative support of the commission; and 2. $2,200,000 for statehouse maintenance projects, as needed. This bill also includes a $250,000 cash transfer from the Capitol Maintenance Reserve Fund to the Capitol Commission Operating Fund, and reappropriation authority for the Capitol Commission Operating Fund.
35 – 0
Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing the contributions of Native Americans and discouraging removal of names, images, or symbols from schools or other places.
This resolution's purpose is intended to support the Native American heritage within our state. Many schools use Native American names as a source of pride and honor. This resolution encourages the proper education of these names, imagery, and symbols to align with those positions of Native American pride and honor. The goal is to educate not eradicate.
Chad Christensen · HD-032B
Amends existing law to remove a provision regarding a labor department seal, to establish a provision regarding employer experience rating, and to revise a provision regarding registration of exempt corporate officers.
Amends three different sections of Chapter 13, Title 72, Idaho Code to: 72-1351(2) - Relieves charges to an employer's unemployment insurance account when an employee leaves employment based on a personal choice and still qualifies for benefits. 72-1333–Removesareferencetoanofficial"IdahoDepartmentofLaborsealwhichshallbejudiciallynoticed." 72-1352A - Removes expired dates and changes the election submission deadline from the end of the calendar year to the end of the first quarter of the following calendar year.
70 – 0
Adds to existing law to provide for the availability of a six-month supply of contraceptive drugs and supplies.
This legislation will require health benefit plans to provide reimbursement for a 6-month supply of contraceptives. Currently, many insurance plans reimburse for only a one-to-three month supply of contraception. This legislation will require any health benefit plan issued or renewed on or after January 1, 20202021, that covers contraceptives approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration to provide reimbursement for a 6-month refill of contraception obtained at one time by the enrollee. The enrollee or the prescribing provider may request a smaller contraceptive supply.
13 – 20
Amends existing law to apply provisions regarding tobacco products to electronic smoking devices as well.
This legislation would amend the Prevention of Minors Access to Tobacco Act by incorporating electronic smoking devices into the definition of tobacco products, creating parity between traditional tobacco products and new, emerging electronic smoking devices and products. It also allows the Department of Health and Welfare to permit all retailers of electronic smoking devices and other vape products in the same manner that traditional tobacco product retailers are currently permitted through the state.
27 – 6
Amends and adds to existing law to provide legislative intent, to provide for the research and production of hemp, and to revise definitions.
This bill allows for cannabidiol (CBD) oil with 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or less, a derivative of hemp, that Idahoans may use for possible pain relief. It also recognizes that there are currently available in Idaho, by prescription, several legal, FDA-approved, cannabinoid medications offering high levels of THC or CBD for the treatment of various conditions.
Relates to the appropriation to the Office of the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2021.
This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Office of the State Board of Education. It appropriates a total of $15,874,900 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 53.25. For benefit costs, the bill maintains the current appropriated amount for health insurance at $11,650 per eligible FTP and temporarily removes funding for the employer's sick leave contribution rate. Inflationary adjustments include $5,700 for general inflation for technology services and contractual inflation for statutory memberships. For statewide cost allocation, a decrease of $98,300 is provided. The bill also provides funding for the equivalent of a 2% change in employee compensation for permanent state employees, with an additional 2% increase for those in the 20 job classifications most in need of equity adjustments. The bill funds three line items, which provide: $330,000 to process lease payments from the Idaho National Laboratory; $120,000 to receive increased grant moneys from the Lumina Foundation; and a transfer of 18.00 FTP and $2,714,800 to centralize IT and data management from the Department of Education to the Office of the State Board of Education. Also included are adjustments to pay the Office of Information Technology Services for security software and data center office space located at the Chinden Campus. Lastly, the ongoing General Fund appropriation is reduced by 2%. DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and
40 – 26
Amends existing law to provide that nonpublic school students may access advanced opportunities funds for certain purposes.
ThisbillsetsasidefundsintheAdvancedOpportunitiesProgramforprivateschoolstudentsthatarenoteligible for the current Advanced Opportunities Program to be used for either dual credit or AP tests.
Amends existing law to allow a commercial service airport to adopt reasonable rules and regulations regarding transportation network companies and drivers.
This bill seeks to amend Section 49-3715, Idaho Code, to exempt commercial service airports in the State of Idaho from the prohibition on municipal regulations of any Transportation Network Company (TNC) services.
29 – 5
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the method of determining market value of property for assessment purposes.
The purpose of this proposed legislation is to make more uniform and fair the provisions of Idaho law regarding the valuation of property for property tax purposes. Under current law, assessors can value business property using income or market approaches, as well as the cost approach. The income and market approaches often result in an estimate of value for the entire business, including goodwill and any other intangible property associated with the business. Although Section 63-602L provides that such intangible property is exempt from taxation, it is difficult to determine that value as part of the ongoing business value in a way that results in the value of only the tangible assets. Usually, assessorsdonoteventrytovaluethebusiness. Forbusinessessuchasfranchiserestaurants, car dealerships, and many others, there is no attempt to use the income from the business or otherwise to value the business operation and then deduct intangible value. For centrally assessed property, section 63-602L provides that owners of such property can elect to require the use of a valuation method that does not include intangible or business value in the first place. That method is usually a cost approach. That method is also most used for business personal property, where the current depreciated cost of the property is determined using methods and tables provided by Tax Commission. For residential property, appraisers typically rely on the cost and market approaches, but the market approach is often difficult to apply where properties that have sold are not truly comparabletothesubjectproperty, andsubjectiveadjustmentshavetobemadetomakethemmorecomparable as a measure of value for the subject property. This bill is intended to promote clarity and uniformity by amending Section 63-208 to provide that the cost approach shall establish a ceiling on value. This recognizes a basic principle of appraisal that no reasonable buyer of property would pay more for that property than it would cost