Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the bill removes the requirement that applicants for licensure as a registered nurse, ARNP, or
• The Board of Nursing is in the process of revising rules related to ARNP licensure and practice, and
• The Board of Nursing is in the process of revising rules related to ARNP licensure and practice.
• The Board of Nursing is in the process of revising rules related to ARNP licensure and practice, and
• . ...increasingly have CRNAs select prescriptive authority at the time of licensure.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 1904 would prohibit cat declawing except for therapeutic purposes, with staff explaining definitions, fines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The prime sponsor and animal welfare advocates described declawing as cruel and linked it to pain and behavior problems, while the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association supported the substance of the bill but asked to remove the added reporting and disciplinary provisions as redundant and burdensome. House Bill 2211 would provide guidance for medically tailored meals under existing Medicaid-related nutrition supports, including standards for Washington-based nonprofit providers where possible, menu review, and nutrition requirements. The sponsor said it would clarify implementation without expanding the program, and supporters from meal providers, food distributors, and local farms said it would improve health outcomes, keep dollars local, and support Washington jobs and agriculture. House Bill 2329 would allow licensed midwives to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and to supervise medical assistants, with the sponsor and birth center operators saying it would fix an omission in current law and help rural and under-resourced birth centers operate more efficiently. Supporters said it would improve staffing and financial stability, while the sponsor indicated the lactation consultant language would likely be removed because those consultants are not regulated by the Department of Health. The committee then returned to House Bill 1904 for additional testimony from humane organizations, veterinarians, shelter leaders, and local officials, all supporting a ban on declawing and emphasizing animal pain, shelter impacts, and available alternatives. House Bill 2247 would expand and clarify veterinary telehealth and veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules, allowing a VCPR to be established in certain telehealth circumstances and setting guardrails for consent, practice standards, and when in-person exams are still required. Supporters from shelters, animal welfare groups, mobile clinics, and veterinarians said telehealth would improve access in rural and underserved areas, reduce shelter intake, and help animals receive care sooner; the veterinary association supported the bill with amendments to clarify recordkeeping and access-to-care findings. House Bill 2339 would update nursing license terminology and processes for advanced registered nurse practitioners, including title changes, controlled substance rules for CRNAs, transcript submission, and interim permits. Nursing board and ARNP representatives supported the technical updates, while the hospital association and medical association raised concerns about title language for clinical nurse specialists and the deletion of a reference to the medical profession. Finally, House Bill 2106 would require health carriers to give 90 days’ notice of significant mid-contract payer modifications and provide the actual modification language, with the sponsor and hospital and provider representatives saying insurers are increasingly making unilateral changes that affect payment, services, and patient access. UW Medicine and a rural hospital district described examples where insurers changed imaging or preventive service coverage mid-contract, causing financial losses and forcing difficult choices about network participation. Carriers were noted as opposing the bill, while providers and facilities argued it would improve transparency and prevent one-sided contract changes that disrupt care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're talking about licensure here.
• Um, we're talking about licensure here.
• Um, there was some discussion about individual licensure.
• Um, there was some discussion about individual licensure.
• Um, there was some discussion about individual licensure.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, tobacco retail licensure is not an anti-business measure at all. I think it's pro-business.
• </c> violations now tobacco retail licensure violations now tobacco retail licensure is<00:20:29.480>
• </c> be harmed by tobacco retail licensure be harmed by tobacco retail licensure are<00:20:41.960><c>
• that our licensure is being changed when it's been changed.
• </c> the Kentucky Board of medical licensure the Kentucky Board of medical licensure and<00:52:14.960

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature enacted the benefit in 2013, and last year members made changes to move toward licensure
• legislature enacted this man a fit and 2013 and last year you all made some changes to move towards licensure
• and the path to full licensure, and we are revalidating all the EI/DBI businesses right now.
• and the path to full licensure and we are rebalance dating all the IDB I businesses right now.
• Right now, we have more than 40 that have applied for provisional licensure.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you expound for me on why it was that, knowing that there was independent licensure of denturists
• competing board, it could undermine the applications, exams, education, or my ability to obtain licensure
• reduces the size of government through structural consolidation, and it will maintain a reasonable licensure
• have hygienists, dentists, and dental therapists, and this would add denturists to that board's licensure
• And that's why we believe that having licensure and board oversight is important.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee first heard House Bill 495, which would consolidate the Board of Denturity under the Board of Dentistry, add a board seat for someone experienced in denturistry/prosthetics, define denturists’ scope of practice, and address the denturist board’s financial deficit. The sponsor and Department of Occupational and Professional Licenses argued the change would improve efficiency and reduce costs while preserving the profession. Denturists, interns, and association representatives opposed the bill, saying it could create conflicts of interest, leave their profession without a guaranteed denturist on the board, increase barriers to entry, and allow dentists to influence fees and rules. The Idaho State Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would maintain public safety, preserve licensure, and reduce government size. After testimony and committee discussion, the original motion to send the bill to the floor was withdrawn and the committee voted to send HB 495 to amending order for clarification, including possible language about a denturist board member. The committee then took up RS 33-468, a proposal to repeal Medicaid expansion effective January 1, 2028. The sponsor said the measure was intended to refocus Medicaid on the most vulnerable, address budget pressures, and respond to concerns that expansion can discourage work. Several members opposed the idea, arguing that it would remove coverage from many Idahoans, harm providers, and likely cost the state money by losing federal funds and related tax revenue. Others supported it as a needed step to control spending and prioritize traditional Medicaid populations. After debate, a motion to return the RS to the sponsor failed on roll call, and the committee voted 10-6 to introduce RS 33-468. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll just make a few opening statements and comments about the board and their licensure process,
• The protection of the public occurs through the licensure of qualified nurses, setting standards for
• RNs and LPNs are required to pass a standard national licensure exam in order to be licensed, and advanced
• struggling in different Some guidance and some—if they’re struggling in different categories of their licensure

Committee: All ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, saying it regulates about 72,000 nurses across RN, LPN, advanced practice, medication assistant, and dialysis technician-related roles. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint volume, and the board’s finances. The board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but faces vacancy and distribution issues, receives about 2,200 complaints annually, and most serious complaints involve criminal backgrounds, fraud or misrepresentation, misappropriation, drug abuse, and criminal investigations. Officials also said they are looking at ways to improve efficiency in case handling, including better documentation and added help positions, and noted outreach efforts through nursing associations and the Arkansas Center for Nursing. For professional soil classifiers, Agriculture Department officials explained that the occupation was created in 1975 and now is administered by the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. They said the profession is small and specialized, with about 29 registered soil classifiers in Arkansas, and requires a four-year degree plus coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences. Members asked whether the current number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the licensing fund is used. Officials said the current number appears adequate, though demand could change with more nutrient management or related work, and that soil classifiers commonly assist with septic system design, perk testing, wetland determinations, and other soil-related projects. They also noted the program has a small reserve and may look at training, curriculum, testing, and administrative budget adjustments. Both reports were reviewed without objection, and no votes were taken. The next meeting was announced for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said this is a clinical service that really is in need of licensure.
• We are able now to issue corrective actions and sanctions once this provisional licensure starts.
• So I wanted to just cover quickly a little bit about provisional licensure external engagement.
• So that, in a really quick nutshell, is where we're at with the EIDBI licensure.
• So that, in a really quick nutshell, is where we're at with the EIDBI licensure.

Bills: HF3379

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Implements North Dakota into the PA licensure compact.
• The licensure compact is not up and running yet. They're hopeful.
• The licensure compact is not up and running yet.
• That was causing issues for us, and we wanted to not make that a barrier to licensure.
• That was causing issues for us, and we wanted to not make that a barrier to licensure.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code, by the addition of a new Chapter 33, Title 54, Idaho Code, to define terms, to establish a licensure
• , to provide for fees, to provide for the suspension or revocation of licensure, to provide for a state
• , to provide for fees, to provide for the suspension or revocation of licensure, to provide for a state
• To establish provisions regarding application for licensure, to provide for fees, to provide for the
• suspension or revocation of licensure, to provide for a state of eligibility after license revocation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill briefly on these type—I don't remember exactly what it was—but it seemed like it was medical licensure
• And they don't regulate people in the sense that a medical licensure board regulates them.
• And they don't regulate people in the sense that a medical licensure board regulates them.
• And they don't regulate people in the sense that a medical licensure board regulates them.
• And they don't regulate people in the sense that a medical licensure board regulates them.

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 17 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had three hospital rules under 59A-3 that we had to update, licensure procedures.
• So one of the last rules, again, this took several rule updates: three to our hospital licensure rule
• , and then our last rule update was to our 59A-35, which is our core licensure rule.
• That just means they’re going through our licensure process.
• When we receive a licensure application, we have 30 days to review it since this is part of that process

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap. Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we thought we would reciprocate and extend that invitation if you want us to come and share with

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1227, which would direct the State Board of Education to develop a statewide framework for generative AI in K-12 schools and require local districts to adopt related policies. Senator Cook said the bill is meant to promote AI literacy, transparency, privacy, and human oversight without mandating AI use, replacing teachers, or collecting new student data. Committee members asked about facial recognition, student data, parental opt-out, and age-appropriate use; Cook and supportive witnesses said existing privacy law covers data concerns, local districts would handle opt-out questions, and the framework is intended to start early with age-appropriate instruction. Testimony in support came from the Workforce Development Council, Idaho Education Technology Association, St. Luke’s Health System, Idaho PTA, and others, who said the bill would help prepare students for future jobs while protecting privacy and keeping humans in charge. The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1227 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then received a budget briefing from Joint Finance Appropriations Committee staff on public school support and higher education. Analysts explained that the public school budget is driven largely by support units and the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and that the governor’s FY27 recommendation is about $152 million below the agency request, with reductions tied to statutory population adjustments, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, virtual school transportation, and supplemental learning funds. They also noted recent enrollment declines and discussed how policy changes affect school funding. In higher education, staff outlined a combined $753 million request for colleges and universities, with the governor recommending about $11.5 million in rescissions across the institutions, plus separate health education programs totaling $30.4 million and recommended enhancements for 15 GME residents and fellows, including family medicine and psychiatry. JFAC staff also reviewed the state’s broader fiscal picture, saying ongoing revenues are not keeping pace with ongoing appropriations and that the legislature may need to rely on one-time money or policy changes to restore structural balance. They discussed the impact of tax conformity legislation, revenue forecast changes, and the growth of major budget areas such as public schools and Medicaid over the past decade. Committee members asked follow-up questions about enrollment trends, university enrollment weighting, rescissions, Medicaid expansion costs, and the effect of prior tax policy decisions. No votes were taken on the budget presentations, and the meeting adjourned after the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For too long we've let other countries access our market and not negotiated reciprocal access to theirs

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot reciprocate at this point, but I'll come back to you later.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they'll just make a few opening statements and comments about the board and their licensure process
• The protection of the public occurs through the licensure of qualified nurses, setting standards for
• RNs and LPNs are required to pass a standard national licensure exam in order to be licensed, and advanced
• struggling in different Some guidance and some, they’re struggling in different categories of their licensure

Committee: All ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two: NARM is the credentialing body for CPMs, which is the premise for licensure here.
• It also gives us more options for licensure and is more realistic per konaka.
• It also gives us more options for licensure and is more realistic per konaka.
• It also gives us more options for licensure and is more realistic per konaka.
• after January 1st, 2020, in states with new licensure laws.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Human Resources Committee, an act relating to qualifications for occupational and professional licensure
• in Idaho. ...or other applications for the same type of licensure in Idaho.
• Good gentleman, if they get their licensure, the insurance companies will accept it.
• I wish this was a separate—the push here was to create a separate licensure.
• I wish this was a separate, the push here was to create a separate licensure.

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then received a notice appointing Kirk Larson as a substitute representative for District 33. The chamber also handled several Senate messages and committee reports, including printing or engrossing a number of bills, and advanced multiple measures through the calendar. Among the bills introduced were appropriations bills for the judicial and legislative branches (HB 847 and HB 848), an education bill revising career ladder and endorsement provisions (HB 849), and Senate bills on occupational licensure, veterans’ benefits consumer protections, specie/tender contracts, state investment in gold and silver, and household egg production. The House passed Senate Bill 1332, a fiscal year-end cash transfer bill that reallocated about $100 million back to the general fund by pulling unspent money from several programs, including transportation strategic initiatives, the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, the Permanent Building Fund, water pollution control grants, and the In-Demand Careers Fund. Members also passed House Bill 545, which would allow military chaplains to qualify for counseling licensure and bill insurance; the bill drew substantial debate over whether chaplain training is equivalent to the education and supervised experience required for independent mental health practice, but supporters argued the military experience is valuable and the bill would help address counselor shortages. The House also passed HB 702 on securities ownership and Idaho law, HB 638 to restore Idaho’s presidential primary in March, HB 765 and HB 766 on fire district boundary changes and impact-fee collection, HB 767 on using impact fees for replacement of certain fire vehicles, HB 797 on fire district sub-district representation, and HB 672 to keep logos and slogans out of the executive budget document. Later, the House passed HB 785, which adds school disciplinary procedures for vulgar or inappropriate online posts about educators, HB 760 on property tax exemption for workforce and affordable housing, and HB 789, ratifying the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Water Rights Settlement of 2026. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 27 honoring Idaho civilians who served and died on Wake Island during World War II, and House Resolution 25 approving reviewed administrative rules. A motion to suspend rules allowed immediate consideration of HB 833, a bill requiring daily recess in elementary schools and unstructured activity for middle school students; debate focused on whether the bill would improperly limit classroom discipline, and the transcript ends during closing remarks on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is basically a dietician licensure compact, and right now there are 15 states that have enacted
• this same licensure compact.
• There are 15 states that have enacted this same licensure compact, including Montana, Utah, South Dakota
• This is to form a compact, but they do not set the law or the standards of Idaho's dietitian licensure

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee heard several bills and resolutions and took action on each. RS 23-983, a dietician licensure compact, was introduced by Senator Cook; he said the compact has already been enacted in 15 states and would not give the compact authority over Idaho law or licensing standards. After questions about sovereignty, the committee voted to send it to print. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1265, a code cleanup measure tied to the DOGE Task Force that removes outdated provisions related to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, and RS 33125, which would recognize a homeschool high school diploma as equivalent to a standard diploma or GED for professional and occupational licensing purposes. RS 33153, sponsored by Senator Nichols, would create Idaho consumer protection standards for paid assistance to veterans filing federal benefits claims, including disclosure, fee limits, and bans on deceptive practices; it was also sent to print. The committee approved minutes from February 3 and February 5, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1261, which would allow certain retired PERSI members appointed to fill elected local offices after a vacancy to keep their existing retirement benefits if they meet the bill’s conditions. Senator Lakey and Sheriff Getz said the measure is intended to treat appointed officials the same as elected ones in this context, and noted support from sheriffs, counties, cities, and no objection from PERSI. The bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1262, which would give insurance companies more flexibility in miscellaneous investments by replacing a confusing lesser-of standard with a clearer 10% of assets allowance. Senator Guthrie and United Heritage Life’s Jeff Niemeyer said the change would help insurers diversify, reduce risk, and potentially improve returns for policyholders; the Department of Insurance had no concerns. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is basically a dietician licensure compact, and right now there are 15 states that have enacted
• this same licensure compact.
• There are 15 states that have enacted this same licensure compact: Montana, Utah, South Dakota, North
• This is to form a compact, but they do not set the law or the standards of Idaho's dietitian licensure

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• calendar, House Bill number 111 with substitute by Representative Shed, relating to the Home Builder Licensure
• Home Builder Licensure Board. Chairman Shed, you’re recognized. Uh, thank you, Mr.
• This is to renew the Home Builder Licensure Board for four years with the substitute coming after the
• the calendar: House Bill 119 with substitute by Representative Underwood, relating to the Alabama Licensure
• the calendar: House Bill 119 with substitute by Representative Underwood, relating to the Alabama Licensure

Keywords: 1136, house, all