Idaho Bills
632 bills · 2016 Regular Session
Appropriates $59,525,400 to the Department of Lands for fiscal year 2017; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 291.1; exempts certain appropriation object transfer limitations; and provides reappropriation for the Forest Legacy Program.
This is the fiscal year 2017 appropriation to the Department of Lands. It appropriates $5,344,900 from the General Fund, $42,562,900 from dedicated funds, and $11,617,600 in federal funds for a total of $59,525,400. It limits the number of full-time equivalent positions to 291.1. The bill includes funding for the increased costs for health insurance, funding for increases in leased office space at Capitol Park Plaza, provides funding for replacement items, and accounts for an increase in statewide cost allocation. This bill includes an ongoing 3% merit-based increase in employee compensation for permanent employees to be distributed at the discretion of agency heads and accounts for the 27th payroll. The budget also includes an annualization of $540,800 to account for the remaining nine months of costs for the fire preparedness supplemental previously approved. The appropriation includes approval of eighteen line items as follow: $960,000 for the second phase of the Lands and Waterways Information System; $113,800 for a new eastern Idaho fire services coordinator; the addition of 0.66 full-time equivalent positons to make two part-time positions full-time; $112,400 for seasonal fire fighting support; $171,000 and one position for oil and gas and mineral resource protection; $223,500 for a remote sensing analyst and seasonal personnel; $140,000 for startup costs for two additional rangeland fire protection associations; $79,200foranITsystemsanalyst; $63,000forgeospatialserversoftware; $195,000tocontinuethe Governor's sage-grouse conservation initiative; $150,100 for additional equipment for the Forest Resource Management, Lands and Waterways, and Forest and Range Fire Protection programs; $562,000 and 2.33 positions to use the Good Neighbor Authority Agreement; $1,350,000 to match $1,665,300 from the Permanent Building Fund to expand the Coeur d'Alene staff office; $60,000 to match $54,500 from the Permanent Building Fund to remodel the existing Coeur d'Alene staff o
Stating findings of the Legislature and supporting the State Board of Education's goal that 60% of Idaho citizens ages 25-34 earn a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2020 to meet the state's workforce needs.
This resolution affirms the State Board of Education's goal that 60 percent of Idahoans ages 25 to 34 attain a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2020 to grow talent, fuel innovation and foster economic competitiveness in the state.
63 – 7
Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding torture of companion animals, to provide that certain officers may take possession of companion animals subjected to torture; and to establish provisions regarding penalties for certain violations.
This legislation amends Sections 25-3502, 25-3504, 25-3520 and 20-511A relating to prohibitions on animal cruelty. Specifically, the proposed legislation includes the following amendments to existing law: 1. Clarifies that pet equines not used for any commercial activity are companion animals; 2. Provides that the knowing and willful torture of a companion animal is a felony upon a second offense; 3. Providesthattheknowingandwillfultortureofcompanionanimalisafelonyuponafirstoffense if committed in the presence of a minor; 4. Provides that a person convicted of animal cruelty may be ordered to participate in available animal cruelty prevention or education programs; and 5. Permits a court to order the Department of Health and Welfare to submit an appropriate mental health assessment where the record before the court indicates that a juvenile is suffering from a serious emotional disturbance which presents a risk to the safety or well-being of an animal or companion animal.
Ilana Rubel · HD-018A
Appropriates an additional $2,114,300 to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Benefit Payments Program; and appropriates an additional $1,263,800 to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Healthcare Policy Initiatives Program for a total of $3,378,100 for fiscal year 2016.
This is a fiscal year 2016 supplemental appropriation bill for the Department of Health and Welfare for the Benefit Payments Program, and the Healthcare Policy Initiatives Program. The bill provides an additional $2,114,300 from federal funds for the Division of Welfare's Benefit Payments Program for caseload growth in the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP). The ICCP provides funding to child care providers on behalf of Idahoan's that are at, or lower than, 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and are either working or attending an accredited institution of higher learning. The bill also provides $1,263,800 from federal funds for the Healthcare Policy Initiatives Program for expenses related to the State Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP) grant. The SHIP grant is intended to transform the current volume-based system of health care to a value-based system of care. All funding in the bill is ongoing, and for both programs provides a total of $3,378,100, all from federal funds.
46 – 24
Repeals, amends and adds to existing law to establish the Education Opportunity Resource Act.
ThisbillestablishesaresourceforIdaho'seducationandlibrarysystembyprovidingbroadbandand relatedservicestostudents. Itstatesfindingsandlegislativeintentinregardstobroadbandservices. It further defines the Education Opportunity Resource Committee, it responsibilities, powers and membership. ThisbillfurtherdefinestheresponsibilitiesoftheDepartmentofEducationinregards to distribution of funds, authorization of funding and technical and other assistance.
69 – 0
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding college and career advisors and reporting requirements.
The proposed amendments provide clarification that Idaho Code, §33-1212A, is specific to College and Career Advising and not the broader more traditional counseling services that are covered in Idaho Code, §33-1212. Additional amendments require school districts to establish a plan as to how they will address college and career advising for their students and provides for a minimum reporting framework. Annual reporting on college and career advising methods and district established goals will be included in their continuous improvement plan progress reports that are currently outline in Idaho Code, §33-320. The amendments add additional clarity and sideboards to assure that those funds appropriated for the purpose of college and career advising are used for those specific services.
65 – 3
Amends existing law to provide that all employees of the STEM Action Center, the Office of Species Conservation, the Office of Drug Policy and the Office of Energy Resources shall be nonclassified employees.
This proposal modifies 67-5303(v), Idaho Code to include the STEM Action Center, Office of Species Conservation, Office of Drug Policy, and the Office of Energy Resources to the list of agencies in the Executive Office of the Governor that have all non-classified employees.
67 – 0
Amends and adds to existing law to provide that the Idaho Transportation Department shall promulgate rules to provide insurers an alternative method for verifying motor vehicle insurance policy data; and to provide that failure to comply with specified law regarding uninsured vehicle tracking shall constitute a wrongful practice and subject an insurer to penalties.
Idaho Code Section 49-1234 established an online insurance verification system relating to motor vehicle insurance coverage. The purpose of this legislation is to clarify records and information available for verification. The legislation also establishes penalties if insurers do not comply with Section 49-1234.
65 – 2
Repeals and amends existing law to provide that an insurer shall not be liable for a loss when certain illegal acts contributed to the loss.
IdahoCodeallowshealthinsurerstonotpayforhealthconditionsorinjuriesthatareassociatedwith an illegal act or the use of alcohol or narcotics. No provision is made for a neutral determination of illegality nor whether the use of drugs or alcohol is a cause of the injury or condition. An insurer who believes an act to be illegal or the result of alcohol or narcotics may simply decline to pay, without review or independent confirmation of illegality. This creates a conflict since the insurer can benefit financially from the denial of a claim. This legislation would require a determination in a neutral forum before an insurer may refuse to pay for care otherwise covered under a policy of health insurance. It also specifies that a denial of coverage for use of alcohol or narcotics must be based on an illegal use of drugs or alcohol.
Amends existing law to remove the requirement that a certain report be submitted to the State Department of Education.
Amend language in Sections 63-315, Idaho Code, to remove the requirement that the Tax Commission report to the Department of Education certain findings or calculations regarding property valuations. These reports are not used by the Department of Education and are unnecessary. Reducing the reporting requirement would lighten the burden of the Idaho Tax Commission.
34 – 0
Stating findings of the Legislature and approving administrative rules that impose a fee or charge, with exceptions, and rejecting certain agency rule dockets that are not approved.
By statute, state agency rules promulgated under the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act that impose a fee or charge do not go into effect unless approved by concurrent resolution of the Legislature. This concurrent resolution, with two exceptions, approves agency rules imposing a fee or charge that were adopted during the prior calendar year and were submitted through the Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator to the Legislature for review during the 2016 legislative session which shall be in full force and effect upon the adoption of this concurrent resolution or upon the date specified in the administrative rule.
64 – 1
Appropriates and transfers an additional $13,140,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2016; appropriates $20,274,700 to the Department of Administration for fiscal year 2017; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 138; provides a dedicated fund cash transfer; provides notification of a contract renewal or extension; directs continuation of health insurance premium cost sharing with state employees; and provides legislative intent regarding the employee group insurance plan structure.
ThisisanFY2016supplementalappropriationtotheDepartmentofAdministrationof$13,140,000 from the General Fund to maintain the contractually required minimum beginning reserve fund balance in FY 2017 with Blue Cross of Idaho. The amount is based on projected estimates related to utilization and plan costs. This is also the FY 2017 appropriation to the Department of Administration in the amount of $20,274,700 with full-time equivalent positions capped at 138. It includes $148,500 for the increased cost of benefits, $14,000 in inflationary adjustments to pay for increased security costs at the State Capitol Building, $107,200 for replacement items, $140,200 for statewide cost allocation, an increase of $258,600 for an ongoing 3% merit-based increase in employee compensation for permanent employees, and $312,200 for the one-time cost of the 27th payroll period that will occur in FY 2017. This bill also provides funding for four line items: Line item #1 shifts $50,000 in personnel costs between programs for a net increase of $0, in order to better align appropriations to anticipated expenditures across the entire department. The Insurance Management Program, which includes group insurance and risk management, has experienced management turnover in FY 2016. Attracting new management staff and other program reorganizations have put pressure on an already tight personnel budget. The changes will accommodate program restructuring and provide sufficient appropriation for vacation payoff, if necessary, without forcing the programs to leave critical positions vacant. Line item #2 provides $78,100 for maintenance and utility costs. Revenue for the Capitol Mall is increasing in FY 2017 with the addition of new tenants in the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center. Rent fees pay for repairs, janitorial services, security, landscaping, and utilities necessary to operate the Capitol Mall facilities and this line item provides the appropriation the department needs to spend the increased
70 – 0
Adds to existing law to provide procedures for counties to declare and demand abatement of a catastrophic public nuisance.
ThepurposeofthislegislationistoallowcountiesinIdahotodeclareacatastrophicpublicnuisance and request abatement from federal land management agencies when the condition of federally managedlandpresentsadangerofcatastrophicwildfireandthreatensthehealth, safetyandwelfare of the citizens.
56 – 13
Stating findings of the Legislature and authorizing the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to undertake and complete a study of issues relating to public procurement and to make recommendations.
This resolution is unanimously recommended by the members of the Purchasing Laws Interim Committee, which met from August 2015 to January 2016 to study the state purchasing laws and make recommendations for revisions. It is the belief of the committee that some issues require additional study, including the appeals process for the Division of Purchasing, ethics in procurement, information technology contracts, and provisions of law relating to multiple contract awards, public works construction, purchasing by political subdivisions, and void contracts. This resolution authorizes the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to undertake and complete a study of issues relating to public procurement and to report its findings and recommendations to the First Regular Session of the Sixty-Fourth Idaho Legislature.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to provide for formal written performance evaluations and when a school district shall be excused and to provide for written evaluations of principals and assistant superintendents.
Idaho Code and administrative rules currently require school districts to complete teacher and principal evaluations no later than May 1 annually. These timelines do not allow evaluations to be based on timely and accurate student Idaho Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) data, or for other objective measures in student achievement to be used if ISAT data isn't available. Current rules allow for contracts to be issued for the ensuing year without a completed formal written performance evaluation. This legislation will do three things: 1. Move the completion date of evaluations from May 1 to June 1. This allows for ISAT data to be returned to the district in time for the data to be used in the current teacher or principal evaluation. 2. Requires that a formal, written evaluation be done prior to issuing a contract. 3. States that if the ISAT data is delayed for any reason and not available 30-days prior to June 1, then the other objective measures approved by the board of trustees or governing board may be used.
35 – 0
Adds to existing law to provide limited use immunity to a minor who acts in good faith and for a medical emergency, to provide requirements and to allow prosecution for other charges.
67 – 0
Amends existing law to provide that the board of trustees of a hospital district may appoint certain board members; and to revise provisions regarding a board quorum and vacancies.
This bill allows the board of trustees of a hospital district to unanimously appoint up to two additional members to serve as trustees for the purpose of adding necessary and specialized skills to assist board deliberations and decision making. Appointed board members will not be entitled to vote on any decision to levy a tax and may be removed with or without cause by a majority vote of the elected members.
21 – 12
Repeals, amends and adds to existing law to exempt certain solar energy property from property tax; to levy a solar energy tax; to provide for its distribution; to add a limitation on a taxing district's budget requests; and to clarify which property is subject to the gross receipts tax.
33 – 0
Amends existing law to provide that either party to a proceeding may request appointment of a judge who is not a resident of the county where a subject road or property is located.
This legislation relates to judicial review of county road or highway district decisions and amends Section 40-208, Idaho Code to provide that either party to a proceeding may request appointment of a judge who is not a resident of the county where the road or property is located and to make technical corrections.
30 – 5
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding supplemental contracts.
35 – 0
Repeals, amends and adds to existing law to recodify state purchasing laws into a new State Procurement Act.
32 – 0
Amends existing law to provide a sales and use tax exemption for the sale, lease, purchase or use of fixed-wing aircraft primarily used as an air tactical group supervisor platform under contract with a governmental entity for wildfire activity.
It is the intent of this act to eliminate the disadvantage Idaho aviation businesses encounter when competing with non-residents to provide tactical wild fire suppression services under contract with the federal government.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to provide an exclusion from local government purchasing laws for the acquisition of personal property or services through contracts entered into by the Division of Purchasing of the Department of Administration of the State of Idaho.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to provide that showing films, still pictures, electronic reproductions or other visual reproductions that violate state indecency and obscenity laws or federal laws regarding pornography, indecency or obscenity is prohibited in or on a licensed premises.
32 – 1
Appropriates $2,337,200 to the Lava Hot Springs Foundation for fiscal year 2017; and limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 13.8.
34 – 1