Idaho Bills

Appropriates $39,273,000 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for fiscal year 2019; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 142.00; and provides direction on distributions.

This is the FY 2019 original appropriation bill for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It appropriates $39,273,000 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 142.00. For benefit costs, the bill removes $1,450 per eligible FTP to bring the annual employer contribution for health insurance down to $11,650 by including a two-month employee and employer premium holiday, adds a 6.8% increase for life insurance, and adjusts funding for workers' compensation in amounts that vary by agency. For replacement items, $141,300 is provided, which includes 11 network servers for $99,000; five network switchesfor$13,000; fourUPSbackupsystemsfor$4,200; andothermiscellaneousequipmentfor$25,100. For statewide cost allocation adjustments, no change is provided, as Attorney General fees will increase by $600,riskmanagementcostswilldecreaseby$3,200,StateControllerfeeswillincreaseby$2,800,andState Treasurer fees will decrease by $200 for a net change of $0. An annualization of $1,000 is provided for the constitutional officers' pay increase from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. The Superintendent's salary for calendar year 2018 is $107,357. The bill also provides funding for a 3% ongoing merit-based salary increase for permanent employees, to be distributed at the discretion of the Superintendent. The bill funds one line item, which provides $305,000 from the General Fund to support an increase in the number of students participating in proficiency assessments. Most students in grades K - 12 are required to participate in the following assessments: the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI), the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the Idaho English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA), the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) in English Language Arts, Math and Science, the Idaho Alternate Assessments, and a college entrance exam.

Stating findings of the Legislature and rejecting a certain rule of the Department of Fish and Game relating to Rules Governing the Taking of Big Game Animals in the State of Idaho.

Stating findings of the Legislature and designating May 17 as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day in Idaho.

Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing February 26-March 4 as Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing and extending congratulations and best wishes for success to the Idahoans selected to represent the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Stating findings of the Legislature and providing for the amendment of Joint Rule 16 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

This legislation amends Joint Rule 16 of the Joint Rules of the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives, to delete specific times that the Senate and House Chambers must be open.

Stating findings of the Legislature and authorizing the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to continue a study of the State Employee Group Health Plan structure and to make recommendations.

This resolution authorizes the Legislative Council to reappoint the Interim Committee on Employee Health Benefits to negotiate a new contract with the Committee's contractor, and, in conjunction with the Department of Administration, issue a new RFP for an array of options for healthcare benefits for state employees. The request for proposals shall be issued according to the 2017 State Employees Group Insurance and Benefits Interim Committee's final report recommendations.

Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing the importance of organ donation to public health and to support and encourage organ donation awareness.

The purpose of this resolution is to recognize the importance and need for organ donors.

THE DIOCESE OF BOISE -Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing the contributions of Catholics in Idaho history and congratulating the Diocese of Boise and all Idahoans of Catholic faith on the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the Diocese of Boise.

Stating findings of the Legislature and requesting that the Department of Insurance consult with insurance industry leaders to determine how to make medically necessary hearing devices and related services and supplies available to Idaho children not currently covered by Medicaid.

Stating findings of the Legislature and authorizing the Department of Health and Welfare to enter into an agreement with the Idaho State Building Authority to finance a new skilled nursing facility on the Idaho State Hospital South campus.

This concurrent resolution provides authorization to the Department of Health and Welfare to enter into agreements, as may be necessary, with the Idaho State Building Authority to provide financing to design, construct, furnish, and equip a new skilled nursing facility on real property currently owned by the Department of Health and Welfare at the Idaho State Hospital South campus and to demolish the existing skilled nursing facility known as Syringa Chalet. Syringa Chalet was built in 1938 and despite numerous renovations it continues to have potentially serious health and safety concerns due to its aging infrastructure.

Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing the many contributions and accomplishments of human rights activist Marilyn Shuler.

Stating findings of the Legislature and authorizing the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to undertake and complete a study of the specific changes needed to implement the recommendations of the Public School Funding Formula Interim Committee.

Stating findings of the Legislature and recognizing that pornography is a public health hazard and encouraging all state and local government agencies to ensure that pornographic materials are not accessible from their Internet connections.