Idaho Bills

Relates to the appropriation to the State Controller for fiscal year 2021.

This is an FY 2021 trailer appropriation bill for the State Controller. It addresses the fiscal impact of H432aa, which creates two new positions in the State Controller's Office to implement and manage the Criminal Justice Integrated Data System.

Amends existing law to provide for the use of literacy intervention tools as part of a literacy intervention program.

The Idaho Legislature has been committed to K-3 early literacy proficiency and has heavily invested in this effort over the last several years. It has been difficult to identify programs that work and best practices to help inform decision makers at the local level in determining the most effective use of these funds. This bill seeks to address the efficacy of these funds by: • Identifying multiple programs that meet the specifications of this bill through an RFP process, which includes the opportunity for parental engagement. • Continually monitoring the results of the different programs by using independent, third party evaluations and eliminating those programs that do not meet expectations of student growth towards proficiency. • Reporting the results of the independent studies to help inform local decision makers.

Relates to the Appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality for fiscal year 2021.

This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Department of Environmental Quality. It appropriates a total of $66,660,700 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 379.00. 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 $103,200 for computers, air quality monitoring equipment, electroshocking equipment, and water quality monitoring 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 classificationsmostinneedofequityadjustments. Fundingfora3%upwardshiftinthecompensationschedule is also included. The bill funds 11 line items, which provide a shift of 1.00 FTP and $103,100 off of the Water Pollution Control Fund and 1.00 FTP and $102,600 onto the General Fund for a total decrease of $500 as the final portion of the BURP and LMP fund shift; a shift of 3.00 FTP and $281,500 from federal funds to the General Fund to supporttheAirQualityProgram;$500,000onetimeforoperationsoftheBunkerHillTreatmentPlant;$407,500 onetime for Triumph Mine Remediation projects; $2,000,000 for the Coeur d'Alene Restoration Partnership; 7.00 FTP and $567,100 from the General Fund to the Idaho Pollution Discharge Elimination System Fund; a transfer of $1,500,000 from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the Environmental Remediation (Basin) Fund; a shift of 1.25 FTP and $120,000 from federal funds to the Environmental Remediation (Box) Fund; a shift of $384,000 from operating expenditures to personnel costs in federal funds for a net of zero; $763,700 for the Small and Disadvantaged Community Grant; and $50,000 for the Bear Lake Regional Commission. Also included are adjustments to pay the Office of Information Technology Services for security

Relates to the appropriation to the Supreme Court for fiscal year 2021.

This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Supreme Court. It appropriates a total of $73,280,500. 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 bill also provides funding for the equivalent of a 2% change in employee compensation for permanent state employees. The bill funds seven line items, which provide 2.00 FTP and $264,400 for District 1 magistrate judges; 1.00 FTP and $95,800 for a floating court reporter; $34,000 for ADA consulting; $20,800 for occupancy costs at the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center; $35,000 for juror compensation; a reduction of $600,000 for Medicaid expansion; and $150,000 for Guardian Ad Litem Program staff in the five applicable districts and $50,000 for the grant administrator to procure an independent evaluation of the Guardian Ad Litem Program statewide.

Amends existing law to update Schedule I.

The Idaho Board of Pharmacy administers the regulatory provisions of the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. If any substance is designated, rescheduled, or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law and notice thereof is given to the Board, the Board shall similarly control the substance unless the Board objects to the inclusion, rescheduling, or deletion. This bill mirrors DEA scheduling decisions for 2019, including placing synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic fentanyls in Schedule I.

Stating findings of the Legislature, recognizing and honoring the remarkable life of John Rosholt and his commitment and contributions to the people and the State of Idaho, and designating the water law collection at the Idaho State Law Library as the John Rosholt Memorial Water Law Collection.

This resolution recognizes and honors the remarkable life of John A. Rosholt and his lifelong commitment and contributions to the State of Idaho, the University of Idaho, and the Idaho Water Association. His dedication will leave a lasting legacy on the State of Idaho.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Lands for fiscal year 2021.

This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Department of Lands. It appropriates a total of $64,297,100 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 327.82. 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 $1,344,800 for 11 vehicles, four fire engines, trailers, and communication 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. Funding for a 3% upward shift in the compensation schedule is also included. The bill funds seven line items, which provide $765,000 for increased harvest and a direct sales pilot project; 3.00 FTP and $3,411,800 for expansion of Shared Stewardship and the Good Neighbor Authority; 1.00 FTP and $94,500 to hire an individual to manage permits for public encroachments and submerged land leases; $96,000 to hire an IT business analyst to support the roll out of the Lands Information Management System; $66,000 to double fill scaler positions for continuity training as the two scalars are nearing retirement; $182,000 for increased server license costs; and $18,100 for a 2% change in employee compensation and inflationary adjustment for the two Timber Protective Associations. 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%, with a fund shift of $25,400 to dedicated funds to prevent a decrease in services. DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and

Stating findings of the Legislature and supporting Governor Brad Little and the Idaho Department of Correction in their opposition to the State of Idaho providing gender reassignment surgery to Adree Edmo.

ThisresolutionsupportsIdahoGovernorBradLittleandtheIdahoDepartmentofCorrectionintheiropposition to the State of Idaho providing Gender Reassignment surgery to Adree Edmo.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding dry needling by physical therapists.

The purpose of this legislation is to make a correction to the Physical Therapy Practice Act by allowing the Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board to approve the required courses for a physical therapist to practice dry needling. The current statute requires the courses be accredited by a national organization; however, no national organizations accredit courses in dry needling. This legislation will give the Idaho Board the authority to determine which courses meet their standards.

Stating findings of the Legislature and requesting that the State Department of Education and State Board of Education research and implement new high school graduation pathways appropriate for college-bound students and career technical students.

This resolution directs the State Board of Education and State Department of Education to review high school graduationrequirementstorecognizethatmanystudentsfollowaCareerTechnicaleducationpathandtocreate multiple paths to graduation or a high school diploma. The Board has already indicated they planned on undertaking this review. This resolution shows legislative support for this review

Relates to the appropriation to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission for fiscal year 2021.

ThisistheFY2021originalappropriationbillfortheSoilandWaterConservationCommission. Itappropriates a total of $3,084,300 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 17.75. 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 bill also provides funding for theequivalentofa2%changeinemployeecompensationforpermanentstateemployees, withanadditional2% 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. The bill removes 3.00 FTP and $201,700 from federal funds as short-term federal grants have ended. 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 software licensing, server infrastructure, and storage to expand system capabilities on core systems and to maintain agency-specific software. Lastly, the ongoing General Fund appropriation is reduced by 2%.

Stating findings of the Legislature and reauthorizing the Occupational Licensing and Certification Laws Interim Committee.

This resolution, recommended by Occupational Licensing and Certification Laws 2019 Interim Committee, wouldauthorizetheLegislativeCounciltore-appointtheinterimcommitteeto: (1)studyoccupationallicensing and certification laws and rules in Idaho, and (2) evaluate existing laws and rules and propose changes or new legislation to promote competition, remove barriers to entry and appropriately reduce legislation. The purpose of the committee's study would be to ensure that Idaho's occupational licensing and certification laws and rules are in the public interest and are not anti-competitive in intent or effect.

Relates to the appropriation and transfer of moneys from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the General Fund.

ThisbillexpandstheStateBoardofExaminers'existingauthorityunderSection57-814A,IdahoCode,topermit it to direct the State Controller to transfer moneys from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the General Fund in fiscal year 2020 if the General Fund revenues are insufficient to meet Idaho's balanced budget requirement in accordance with Article VII, Section 11, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho. Given current economic uncertaintiesandtheCOVID-19stateandnationalemergencies, thisbillensuresthatthestatehastheflexibility needed to address any revenue shortfalls that would preclude a balanced budget. Further, the likelihood of a special legislative session to address any revenue shortfalls is currently unclear. This increased authority would be for FY 2020 only and would not be needed if the Legislature otherwise addresses any shortfall in a special session.

Amends existing law to revise fee provisions.

This bill will increase most license, tag, and permit fees for nonresidents, effective December 1, 2020. The bill increases these nonresident fees to offset expected revenue decreases related to proposed rulemaking authorizing the Commission to restrict nonresident participation by proclamation in general season big game hunts to reduce hunter congestion. The increased fees in the bill are necessary to compensate for reduced levels of nonresident participation, allowing the Commission to maintain a balanced budget that can support existing services. The bill, in combination with the Commission's desired reduction in nonresident tags, will improve management of nonresident participation and maintain quality, diverse general hunt opportunities for residents. The last general nonresident fee increase in Idaho took place over ten years ago, on April 15, 2009. The bill will implement a general 10% increase in the prices for nonresident items, with larger increases for big game tags and related items such as archery and muzzleloader permits. The bill adjusts reduced rate licenses for mentored juniors to a general 50% discount below the related adult item. The bill does not increase the cost of nonresident wolf and Disabled American Veteran tags. The effective date of this legislation is the beginning sales date for the 2021 licensing year, corresponding with the license year in which the Commission is planning to limit nonresident tags.

Amends existing law to provide for nonpublic teacher preparation programs.

The purpose of teacher preparation programs is to produce individuals who are certified to teach in Idaho public schools. Everythreetofouryears,theStateBoardofEducationthroughtheProfessionalStandardsCommission conducts in-depth reviews of all teacher preparation programs, including those teacher preparation programs offered by private colleges, universities and nonprofit corporations even if the program does not receive any public funds. Though there is almost no guidance in statute, the reviews examine whether a teacher preparation program is fulfilling 178 core specific standards, and additional 64 standards in literacy and technology and up to 79 additional content specific standards for teaching a prospective teacher how to teach pursuant to administrative rule. This legislation puts sideboards around this process in statute, ensuring that the State Board of Education will grantateachingcertificatetoagraduateofanonpublicteacherpreparationprogramthatrequiresitsgraduatesto have a bachelor’s degree, complete a criminal background check, complete subject matter content training; and completetraininginpedagogy. Thecertificatesaretobeconsideredequaltothoseearnedthroughpublichigher education institutions. Reviews of the nonpublic teacher preparation programs will be limited to verification that graduates of the program are meeting the criteria for earning a teaching certificate as provided in this legislation.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding qualification of educational interpreters.

Consistent with the Governor's Licensing Freedom Act, this bill seeks to eliminate barriers to performing licensed work. Chapter 13, Title 33 establishes provisions for educational interpreters. Additionally, Chapter 29, Title 54 sets out licensing requirements for individuals providing interpreting services. Individuals who are providing interpreting services as education interpreters pursuant to the requirements in Chapter 13, Title 33, areexemptfromthelicensingrequirementsinChapter29,Title54. Toqualifyforthisexemption,theindividual is required to be interpreting in a kindergarten through grade 12 educational setting. School districts provide educational services to students with disabilities that meet the definition of school age and fall outside of the kindergarten through grade 12 range. In these cases, school districts are required to hire a licensed interpreter at an increased cost. The proposed amendment would change the reference to grade ranges in the education interpreter provisions to the statutorily defined term of "school age." This will allow for school districts to use education interpreters for students that fall outside of the grade range while still meeting the school age definition. These students are students with disabilities that the school districts are required to provide services for through the Individuals with Disability Education Act.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Insurance for fiscal year 2021.

This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Department of Insurance. It appropriates a total of $9,917,800 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 71.50. For benefit costs, the bill maintains the current appropriated amount for health insurance at $11,650 per eligible employee and temporarily removes funding for the employer's sick leave contribution rate. The bill also provides 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 classification most in need of equity adjustments. 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; and billing adjustments in excess of current appropriations.