Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 17th, 2026

Senate Health and Welfare Committee

Key Moments

  • Mr. Warren — The question is directed to Mr. Warren/Duffin regarding reinstatement fees.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Representative Healy made a rule 80 declaration, which the chair acknowledged, and the discussion continued by noting that the fee reduction would mean paying ten dollars less per year.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Made a substitute motion to reject Docket 24-1301-2501.
  • David Leavitt — Representative Leavitt expressed opposition to the approval because he viewed the fee increase as a tax increase. Subsequent references noted that his concern was being addressed and clarified that his objection centered on whether the committee was putting the profession in a difficult position.
  • David Leavitt — Voted aye.
  • Julie VanOrden — The chair is addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' during the exchange.
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' during the exchange.
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' during the exchange.
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Asks what the negative projection is based on and whether the board submitted a budget showing spending exceeds revenue.
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Referenced as the chair of the board in consultation over meeting cancellations.
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman.'
  • Julie VanOrden — Asked about the number of complaints the board had seen and followed up on the issue.
  • Julie VanOrden — Spoke to ask a question and follow-up about complaints and disciplinary actions.
  • Julie VanOrden — Continued the follow-up on whether any disciplinary actions were taken.
  • Julie VanOrden — Raised the question about why the state still licenses the profession if there is no apparent public safety issue.
  • Julie VanOrden — Responded positively to the explanation and then asked for further questions on the docket.
  • Julie VanOrden — Asked whether the board was operating fine financially.
  • Mark Harris — The speaker refers to 'the good Representative Leavitt,' who is identified as a legislator raising concerns.
  • Robert Beiswenger — Questions whether the problem is due to one-time costs, ongoing budget issues, or both.
  • Robert Beiswenger — Raised a question about whether the committee should wait for a revised fee proposal instead of voting no.
  • Robert Beiswenger — Said he was just curious about the board's finances and then moved to approve the docket.
  • Robert Beiswenger — Asked which motion was being voted on before voting to reject the rule.
  • Mr. Durkin — Likely a transcription error for Mr. Duffin; the question is directed to the witness.
  • Mr. Durkin — Mr. Durkin was invited to respond to concerns about IDOPL costs and board fees, and he explained that while there are one-time transition costs, the licensure system should produce long-term savings, including personnel savings.
  • Glenneda Zuiderveld — Was addressed as 'Representative Zakin' in the transcript and answered that either time frame was acceptable.
  • Lucas Cayler — Asked whether rejecting the docket would leave license fees unchanged.
  • Lucas Cayler — Representative Lucas Cayler was recorded as voting aye during the roll call.
  • Ryan Bernard — Introduced himself as the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Chief of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses and began presenting the Speech and Hearing docket.
  • Steven Tanner — Compared his $300 professional counseling license fee with the proposed $40 physical therapy fee and asked about the disparity.
  • John Woude — Referenced in connection with prior comments and questions about the fee structure.
  • John Woude — Referenced in the roll call as 'Van Woude'; likely the chair or a member being called.
  • John Woude — Chairman Van de Woude is referenced as receiving the gavel back.
  • John Woude — Responded to a personal privilege request and acknowledged the committee announcement.
  • Tanya Burgoyne — Voted aye.
  • Jordan Redman — Likely the intended name for 'Representative Zakin'; voted aye, though the transcription is uncertain.
  • Ben Fuhriman — Voted nay.
  • Ilana Rubel — During the roll call vote, Representative Ilana Rubel was called and recorded as voting nay.
  • Mr. Duffin — The committee addresses Mr. Duffin with questions about the fee schedule and board balance.
  • Mr. Duffin — Responds to a question about how a merger and the new fee schedule could affect board balances and fees.
  • Mr. Duffin — Explains that the division has done financial projections for maintaining fee reductions and potentially bringing the Board of Denturity under dentistry.
  • Mr. Duffin — States that denture licensure fees could be reduced from $750 to under $100 if the fee reduction is maintained.
  • Mr. Duffin — Returns to present the final rule for docket 24-3101-2501 after the temporary rule extension passes.
  • Mr. Duffin — The committee votes on and approves the final rule for docket 24-3101-2501, then moves to the next docket.
  • Mr. Duffin — Says he cannot confirm whether reinstatement fees were discussed as circumstance-dependent.