Idaho Bills
615 bills · 2017 Regular Session
Adds to and amends existing law to authorize GARVEE bonding to finance highway transportation projects.
This legislation approves bonding authority to issue highway transportation (GARVEE) bonds by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association in a principal amount sufficient to finance the highway transportation projects listed in the legislation (page 2) in an amount up to $300,000,000. Such bonds are expected to be paid from the State Highway Account as provided in Idaho Code § 40-707. Project selection shall be the sole responsibility and duty of the Idaho Transportation Board. Allocation of GARVEE bond proceeds shall be the sole responsibility and duty of the Idaho Transportation Board.
Adds to existing law to authorize the Paraprofessional Pathway to Certification Program.
This bill provides a pathway to teacher certification for individuals currently serving as paraprofessionals in Idaho schools. The intent is to allow school districts the flexibility to fill urgent vacancies with paraprofessionals who have shown a commitment to their districts and an interest in pursuing teacher certification. The proposed legislation creates a program that allows for support and commitment from both the district and the paraprofessional. The educational plan established for these individuals will be dependent on the paraprofessional's level of education and experience. The program sets a minimum number of credits that will be covered by the school district. This program also allows flexibility at the local level for districts to develop agreements with individuals based on their unique, local needs.
Adds to existing law to provide for the Adult Postsecondary Completion Scholarship.
To establish the Adult Postsecondary Completion Scholarship to help Idaho residents return to school and complete their academic studies. The scholarship is intended to support adult students returning to a public college or university after an absence of at least three (3) years or more and who are completing their first undergraduate degree. Applicants may qualify for up to $3,000 per academic year for up to eight (8) consecutive semesters. Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for consideration: • Must be a resident of the state of Idaho. • Must enroll as a student at an Idaho public higher education institution seeking a first undergraduate degree or certificate. • Must be an undergraduate reentry student who has experienced a gap (three full academic years or more) in the pursuit of postsecondary education. • Must have a minimum of 24 credits earned from any institution toward a degree (must be transcriptable credits). • Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) calculation on a completed FAFSA. • Must be registered at least part time: a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
Amends and adds to existing law to provide that certain vehicles shall be subject to inspection for dyed fuel; to provide conditions under which inspections may be conducted, to provide that specified provisions of law shall not be construed to require reporting violations to the federal government, to provide for the limitation of inspection authority, to provide for outreach and education, to provide exceptions to applicability; to provide that the presence of dye in certain motor vehicles at a designated concentration or greater shall constitute a violation, to provide that certain persons may inspect, collect and secure samples of special fuel to detect the presence of dye under specified conditions; and to provide for fines.
The purpose of this legislation is to provide a practical inspection method to ensure compliance with current Idaho motor fuel tax law and a minimum of disruption to the public. Dyed diesel is diesel fuel that has been markedtoidentifyitasfuelthatisnotsubjecttofuelstaxwhenpurchasedanditisunlawfultouseinamotor vehicle on the highway. Dyed diesel may only be used in equipment and vehicles not subject to the motor fuels tax such as unlicensed equipment, farm equipment (such as combines, tractors, etc.), and in vehicles operated exclusively by federal, state or local government. Diesel used in all other vehicles on a highway is taxed at 24.4 cents per gallon at the federal level and 32 cents per gallon at the state level for a total fuels tax of 56.4 cents per gallon. Violation of the use of dyed diesel is evasion of Idaho State tax law and is subject to a civil penalty.
8 – 26
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding bail forfeiture.
Amending the Idaho Bail Act to include notification to the surety insurance company on file by the clerk of the court of a forfeiture by mailing a notice within five business days of the order.
Amends existing law to provide that the state lottery shall not disclose certain identifying information of prize winners, to provide criteria for written authorization by a prize winner to disclose identifying information, to provide an exception to certain state agencies and vendors; and to provide that certain identifying information and records of prize winners shall be exempt from disclosure.
Lottery winners have been the target of harassing, high pressure, unwanted calls and communications from hucksters around the world. Presently, Idaho law requires disclosure as a public record and the Lottery Commission itself publicly identifies winners of $600 or more, except that a street address may be exempted from release by the Commission, but not from a public records request. This bill limits the Lottery Commission from publicly identifying lottery prize winners of $600 or more unless the winner has provided a specific authorization for release of information. It also exempts lottery winner identity information from public records requests for six months, and after that time allows a release of the name and state of the winner.
61 – 9
Stating findings of the Legislature and supporting and commending the Idaho Department of the American Legion, its Legionnaires and Legion Auxiliary in their volunteer efforts to serve the youth of Idaho through their youth programs and designating the second Thursday in January of each year as American Legion Family Youth Programs Day in Idaho.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes and honors the Idaho Department of the American Legion family as they continue to sponsor and provide many youth programs for the benefit of the youth of Idaho and ultimately the State. It sets forth the second Thursday in January of each year to be designated American Legion Family Youth Programs Day in Idaho.
Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing National Speech and Debate Education Day on March 3, 2017.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 3, 2017 as National Speech and Debate Education Day. The National Speech and Debate Association empowers youth with essential communication skills to become engagedcitizens,skilledprofessionals,andhonorableleaders. Speechanddebateeducationenablesstudents to find their own voices, to find the power and confidence within themselves to think and analyze critically, to use words wisely to build, mend, defend and elevate.
Amends existing law to provide that certain physicians employed by the Department of Health and Welfare are nonclassified employees.
The Department of Health and Welfare (department) operates State Hospital North, State Hospital South, Southwest Idaho Treatment Center, and is the state's Public Health Authority. Employing physicians is necessary,yetthedepartmentstrugglestorecruitandretainphysicians. Onebarriertosuccessfulrecruitment is salary, as market rates are significantly higher than rates allowed by the state's classified pay schedule. Physician job classifications have already received multiple pay line exceptions pursuant to Idaho Code § 67-5309D, however the existing pay schedule is insufficient. The purpose of this RS is to designate individuals employed as physicians at the Department of Health and Welfare as non-classified and therefore not subject to Idaho Code § 67-5301 et seq.
28 – 38
Adds to existing law to implement the Health Care Assistance Program.
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize primary care, limited prescriptions, and care coordination to Idaho's eligible population with income levels under 100% of the federal poverty guideline who are not eligible for Medicaid, the Advanced Payment of Tax Credit, and not currently eligible or enrolled in an employer sponsored or other government subsidized health care plan. This population has historically sought episodic care through clinics providing low cost or free care, or has not sought care until they are seriously ill, which has resulted in high costs to the state through the county indigent and state catastrophic health programs. This population would also benefit from access to community resources to strengthen their self-reliance. Because of the finite funds available, this program will only cover a limited subgroup of adults and is not comprehensive care. This legislation would improve the quality of healthcare in Idaho by providing eligible participants with regular preventive primary care and care management for chronic conditions and may reduce the overall demand on emergency rooms and the need for costly hospitalizations. This primary care and care coordination would be provided in a manner that furthers the state's goal to transform Idaho's healthcare system from a volume based, fee-for-service model to a value based system of care through clinics utilizing a care coordination and case management model.
Amends existing law to revise provisions requiring legislative approval for any action to introduce or reintroduce any species into the state.
Idaho Power Company's Hells Canyon Project is in the process of relicensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The State of Oregon has attempted to require Idaho Power Company to implement fish passage and reintroduction of anadromous fish above Hells Canyon Project in Idaho waters. Reintroduction into Idaho waters without consent of the State of Idaho violates Idaho law, policy, and the sovereignty of the State of Idaho. This bill amends Idaho Code 67-6302 to require legislative approval of any effort to introduce or reintroduce species in the State by any agency or entity, State, Federal, or however constituted.
28 – 6
Amends existing law to revise a code reference regarding compensation of members of the Idaho Plumbing Board.
The initial intent of this idea was to align the plumbing statutes with those of the mechanical and electrical programs. The plumbing board has requested more time to study the impact of the legislation before moving forward. Howevertheremunerationofboardmembershasandisnegativelyimpactingtheretirementsaving programs of some board members, who are requesting that portion of the proposed legislation move forward without delay.
34 – 0
Amends and adds to existing law to provide authority to administer programs associated with receipt of moneys and to add language regarding the use of payment methods; and to authorize interaccount transfers for services and related costs provided by the State Treasurer to state government departments.
67 – 1
Amends existing law to increase the amount that may be deducted annually for contributions to a college savings program.
28 – 5
Amends existing law to add wireless LAN services to the scope of the Education Opportunity Resource Act.
35 – 0
Amends existing law to revise requirements for a Pay for Success contract, to withhold funds until the contract terms have been met, and to provide for the funding of contracts.
35 – 0
Amends existing law to provide for recording fees for certain instruments.
35 – 0
Amends existing law to provide a procedure where a taxing district may disclaim the right to recover all or any portion of a forgone balance.
27 – 8
Repeals, amends and adds to existing law to establish the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to increase the invasive species sticker fee for the boats of nonresidents.
This act amends Idaho code 67-7008A increasing the invasive species sticker fee for non-residents from twenty-two dollars ($22) to thirty dollars ($30). as Idaho becomes more popular for tourist, we must ensure that we are able to maintain and increase our efforts in protecting our great state from invasive species. This is a critical recommendation from the invasive species working group.
31 – 1
Amends and adds to existing law to allow licensed psychologists to prescribe drugs to patients under certain conditions.
35 – 0
Amends existing law to include franchise tax in “new state revenue” and to exclude taxes reimbursable by the federal government, and to provide that agreements with applicants for the reimbursement shall exclude taxes reimbursable by the federal government.
35 – 0
Adds to existing law to limit regulation of short-term rentals and vacation rentals and to provide a statewide standard and a transaction tax.
This legislation protects the private property rights of Idaho homeowners by ensuring the right to rent their property is maintained. The legislation protects property owners by allowing local governments to regulate short-term rentals only in cases where it is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare. The legislation further requires short-term rental marketplaces, that contract with Idaho homeowners, to collect and remit all applicable taxes to the state and local governments which are currently due.
35 – 0
Appropriates $4,683,700 to the Office of Drug Policy for fiscal year 2018; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 6; and appropriates an additional $21,000 to the Office of Drug Policy for fiscal year 2017.
35 – 0
Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the use of moneys for fishing access; to revise provisions regarding moneys paid into the Fish and Game Set-Aside Account; to provide for the use of moneys derived from certain license endorsements; to revise provisions regarding the transfer of certain amounts from the Expendable Big Game Depredation Fund; to revise conditions and requirements regarding payment for certain damages due to depredation; to revise certain deposit provisions regarding the Fish and Game Set-Aside Account; to provide for 3-year nonresident junior fishing licenses; to provide for license endorsements to fund wildlife depredation compensation and prevention and sportsmen access programs; to revise certain license fees; to revise provisions regarding procedures associated with depredation claims; and to provide that methods of determining forage utilization and damage or loss due to wildlife may include exclosure cages or other devices.
34 – 0