Robert Beiswenger — Robert Beiswenger is called to present RS 33132, introduces himself as representing District 8, and explains that the bill is the expanded medical freedom bill. In the ensuing discussion, he responds to questions and is advised to revise the statement of purpose so the bill’s intent is clearer, indicating he will work through the concerns.
Jordan Redman — Moves to introduce RS 33132.
Jordan Redman — Representative Redman makes a motion to approve docket 16-4-14-2501, following the chair’s prompt that a motion is in order.
Jordan Redman — Jordan Redman made two procedural motions to approve pending rule dockets: first docket 16-326-2501 and then docket 16-313-2501.
Megan Egbert — Representative Megan Egbert asks about the bill’s employment-related language, questioning whether it is appropriate and consistent with the bill’s scope.
Ben Fuhriman — Ben Fuhriman makes a light joke about being given a punch card, then briefly adds that the statement of purpose is misleading.
Ben Fuhriman — Made the motion to extend the temporary docket.
Carl Bjerke — Carl Bjerke, acting as chair, turns the meeting over to the vice chair to begin the rules agenda.
Carl Bjerke — Referenced as having explained the agenda at the outset.
Jared Larson — Introduces himself as chief of staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and explains the welfare rule dockets.
Jared Larson — Introduces himself and explains the welfare rule agenda.
Jared Larson — Identified himself as Chief of Staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and moved to the next docket after the vote.
Jared Larson — Explained that the chapter repeal follows adoption of the consolidated welfare rules and that it repeals the separate TANF chapter.
Jared Larson — Explained that the LIHEAP chapter repeal is similar to the prior repeal and that LIHEAP is consolidated into the earlier adopted chapter.
Jared Larson — Introduced the next set of agenda items concerning the Division of Medicaid and identified Sasha O'Connell as the deputy director overseeing Medicaid.
David Leavitt — Director Adams is referenced as having worked on prior rule presentations last spring.
David Leavitt — Jared Larson, Chief of Staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, presented a series of related Medicaid rule items. He explained that the pending rule matched the temporary rule previously approved, that the temporary rule existed because the legislature had removed rules while consolidating them into a single chapter under House Bill 345, and that rejecting the rule would require the department to propose another temporary rule to keep Medicaid operating. He also discussed the tension between statutory direction and committee expectations, noting that moving matters into statute can limit departmental flexibility, especially during budget cuts. Finally, he introduced the Consumer Directed Services chapter repeal, explaining that it was part of the same consolidation effort and substantively aligned with the committee’s earlier actions on the previous dockets.
Kristen Matthews — Identified as the bureau chief from the Welfare Division who could answer more precise questions about the docket and the following two dockets.
Josh Wheeler — Representative Wheeler asked whether the rule is necessary to maintain federal funding for the affected programs and what practical effect the rule has simply by existing.
Mr. Larson — Mr. Larson responded to questions about why the rule is needed, explaining that it includes the program provisions necessary to administer the program where state or federal law does not already provide them. He also noted uncertainty about whether TANF includes any vaccination or immunization requirement and said he would follow up. He then asked the committee to adopt the rule docket and stated that the program is funded entirely with federal funds, totaling $22.6 million.
Steven Tanner — Asked whether TANF recipients or household members must be vaccinated or immunized under any policy.
Lori McCann — Representative McCann moved to approve docket 16-0308-2-2501, first indicating he wished to make a motion and then stating the specific docket number.
Julie VanOrden — Asked for a dollar figure on how much money the program is expending.
Julie VanOrden — Asked whether the temporary rule would simply be reinserted if the committee did not make it permanent.
Julie VanOrden — Asked whether the temporary rule would simply be reinserted if not made permanent.
Julie VanOrden — Responded skeptically that rejecting a rule could simply lead to a temporary rule being reinserted.
Julie VanOrden — Implicitly part of the committee discussion about rules being moved into statute.
Julie VanOrden — The gavel is returned to Chair VanOrden at the end of the meeting.
Julie VanOrden — Closed the meeting with a light remark about the lack of Medicaid questions and Friday meetings.
Julie VanOrden — Announced that the committee is adjourned.
Sasha O'Connell — Sasha O'Connell is identified as the Deputy Director who oversees Medicaid.
Eric Brown — Identified as a bureau chief in the Medicaid division who can answer technical questions.
Director Adams — Referenced as part of the effort to consolidate Medicaid into a single rule chapter.
Dori Healey — Likely intended reference to the committee chair, though the transcript says only 'Chairman' here; no specific name is spoken in this section.