[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358446,"mediaKeyId","2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede","parentId",2212449,"title","Votes at a glance: reappointment and rule dockets approved by Senate Commerce committee","audioSeconds",1729,"startMs",585554,"endMs",2315444,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede&start=585&end=2315","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede/thumbnail_585554.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358446/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-reappointment-and-rule-dockets-approved-by-Senate-Commerce-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358446-016e500f12de079bb039d5ef78f0ade4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646602&Signature=nOMcmtx9sIit2I1ealoxoBgiZmFduK8JS6-BmnWbyY7RUx6BE7WMCCKPk2YyWKu0d-W0dztMLM-NSRHFcRJAQztm5alac47diGaCuqWbnwKLmR0MYSB-Mfn523Bvd3guWSiBioGinhZ003gyl9ENu3ypYO0DFtXWGtQg88l7KZTcEJqMkL-1gMrIdR6l87iH~0UumODPTpqCJPVsBzJuhQXelyH4zssrSsc88LM1BtawtMRVEZTkN7-ep~1MnELgPKh0Tkf2uQEZmZtX6gOLwDyoYi3I9o3EUsWdjN79JeSjL7e7Crpy1NjZ6q5sfwvoi1IPtXqe~5HNtC1iOP6fcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Idaho","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee recorded several short votes and approvals during the session. The items below were approved and will be transmitted to the Senate floor or implemented as noted.

1) Gubernatorial reappointment — Tara Malek to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board
Motion: Move to send the gubernatorial appointment of Tara Malek to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the floor with a recommendation that she be confirmed.
Mover/Second: Motion made and seconded (recorded in transcript).
Outcome: Motion carried on voice vote; committee recommended confirmation and the appointment will be transmitted to the Senate floor.

2) Minutes — Approval of committee minutes from January 21, 2025
Motion: Approve minutes of Jan. 21, 2025.
Mover/Second: Senator Guthrie moved; Senator Lenny seconded.
Outcome: Voice vote; motion carried and minutes approved.

3) Docket 24‑2901‑2401 — Rules of the Idaho Certified Shorthand Reporters Board
Motion: Approve docket 24‑2901‑2401 as final (clean up, removal of board examination fees and related updates).
Mover/Second: Senator Guthrie moved; second recorded.
Outcome: Voice vote; motion carried and the pending rule is approved.

4) Docket 24‑3001‑2401 — Rules of the Idaho State Board of Accountancy
Motion: Approve docket 24‑3001‑2401 (updates include exam timing extension, fee reductions consistent with prior session intent language).
Mover/Second: Senator Nichols moved; second recorded.
Outcome: Voice vote; motion carried and the pending rule is approved.

These items were noncontroversial in committee testimony; docket materials were presented by division staff and no public opposition was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Commerce and Human Resources Meeting January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved a set of routine items by voice vote or short motion: the reappointment of Tara Malek to the Your Health Idaho board, approval of minutes, and three rule dockets.","taxTitle","Commerce and Human Resources, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",57000,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358450,"Your Health Idaho reports record enrollment, plans fee change and $44 million saved for Idahoans",868,2615114,3483934,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede&start=2615&end=3483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede/thumbnail_2615114.jpg","/articles/6358450/Idaho/Your-Health-Idaho-reports-record-enrollment-plans-fee-change-and-44-million-saved-for-Idahoans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358450-8cb7594630f7d55b6192e16202811bc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646602&Signature=Aaokvc8X5qnLGvauaroxbC~A3xHE3X~LvSj9AD4CbEyDTXH1pVgq00rl4R~dhthHkgZ-dD8uw1y52Sd6FKcaiqPFVdRJOVVugQs6VHjMsXGXZoay8XSHheuqq59VO3EZEatlfOueZwsA3VzSd1IfSWFDI4v62es5WyZlieKPkFiSfWpjkmQ7e~L2kRg3dQhKZ-TBEd2FxE5PMQwNyyHM90EU~RjrQbQPUX6apTgrA9IiaHjgd83I6mKBjKJm~ezvz4~gljO1FT-a42OTQwEpHtMFZ~Gaz5AS7FvtRWyjwpklVffQovQayPi335b2528uc0BCwqeGYsHsVpqbNMEwAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patrick Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho, presented the exchange’s annual update to the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee under required reporting law. His presentation summarized 2024 operations and open enrollment for plan year 2025 and included enrollment, financial, and outreach metrics.

Kelly told the committee that Your Health Idaho ended the year with an average enrollment of about 120,000 Idahoans and that open enrollment for 2025 produced over 139,000 plan selections. He said more than 90% of enrollees receive a tax credit that lowers monthly premiums and that 68% were renewals from the prior year while 32% were new customers.

On finance, Kelly said the exchange carries no debt, maintains cash reserves equal to six to nine months of operating costs, and holds a capital expenditure reserve of $1.5 million. Your Health Idaho’s primary revenue stream is an assessment applied to plans sold through the exchange; Kelly said the exchange will shift in 2025 from an assessment that is a percentage of premium (2.49% in 2024) to a per‑member‑per‑month (PMPM) fee to provide revenue predictability and better align with carriers’ administrative cost structures. He said the exchange has delivered $44,000,000 in savings to Idahoans since its creation in 2013.

Kelly highlighted technology and customer‑service improvements: 90% of enrollments completed with self‑service tools, a 16% decrease in inbound customer inquiries, and a Net Promoter Score of 73 in 2024 and again for open enrollment 2025 — a score Kelly described as “world class.” He also noted outreach efforts including 73 community events and 19 in‑person enrollment pop‑ups during open enrollment 2025.

Committee members asked about governance and interagency interfaces. Kelly said Your Health Idaho is a body corporate and politic created by the legislature but not a state agency; a 19‑member board appointed by the governor governs it. He described electronic “no wrong door” data transfers between the exchange and the Department of Health and Welfare for eligibility determinations and said the Department of Insurance handles rate review and essential‑benefit compliance while the Your Health Idaho board certifies plans for the exchange.

Chair and committee members praised the exchange’s performance and customer metrics. Kelly said the exchange will focus on partnerships, tools for agents and enrollment counselors, and continued operational efficiency in the coming year.

The presentation was informational; no committee action was required.","Patrick Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho, presented the exchange’s annual update to the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee. He reported record open‑enrollment results, a move from a percent‑of‑premium assessment to a per‑member fee, and cumulative savings of $44 million for Idaho consumers since inception.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358455,"Committee backs bill to make fingerprinting discretionary for counselor licenses",247,1806944,2054054,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede&start=1806&end=2054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede/thumbnail_1806944.jpg","/articles/6358455/Idaho/Committee-backs-bill-to-make-fingerprinting-discretionary-for-counselor-licenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358455-759745f197a004afbde4b8f2aade701d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646602&Signature=hYiC9fXkuQ-Q2OS4HkWIR~4ZXsJm8JdXqjZtHha4rQsQR5tVLOGX7XS2M29IYeFWlNnMqVeNcm6x3grgOz5MIlM1PMWF~DxEERw4r-6lRhWDf7cpehZTlB9Hr9bzza965Pbd~Dt1GcRJ~0FJQcdUHHNjAVNM~UPJSpZhLDhd6xEV8uP5dq6AIrXjrZDIiI4TwfUNQ8NIk17woG0imyLWh3We2q8kxlpYewLltgIrklyI7w6-sczE~CnC2HugN0KWvSojVnrc9Oy0RX0XLXofPnomv0pjvbtJCo0nkbvP8rtWtaSNaq~NzOFcitCxXtp-zFZ3FRgAtCFojHWaVgUiSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1018 to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation. The measure amends statutory language about fingerprinting in licensure statutes covering counselors and therapists to clarify that fingerprinting is not mandatory in every instance and that the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses may require a criminal background check under the authority specified in statute.

Senator Mark Harris (Legislative District 35) presented the bill and said the changes respond to administrative questions after the legislature earlier added fingerprinting language in anticipation of an interstate counselors compact that did not pass. “This change does not alter any authority related to rulemaking, licensing, or scope of practice, discipline, or supervision,” Harris said, and he told the committee the change has no general‑fund fiscal impact.

Committee members asked whether licensees or boards objected; Harris said no negative comments were raised. No public testimony was offered. Senator Guthrie moved the bill to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation; Senator Ward Engle King seconded and the motion carried on a voice vote.

The bill’s language, as presented to the committee, adds consistent phrasing across related statutes so fingerprinting is authorized when the division determines it is necessary rather than being mandatory in every case. The measure will next be considered by the full Senate.","Senate Bill 1018, which clarifies that fingerprinting is not automatically required for counselor and therapist licensure and allows the division to require criminal background checks when necessary, was recommended for passage by the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358460,"Committee approves morticians’ rule rewrite and biannual fee increase to restore board reserves",1042,740995,1783604,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede&start=740&end=1783","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede/thumbnail_740995.jpg","/articles/6358460/Idaho/Committee-approves-morticians-rule-rewrite-and-biannual-fee-increase-to-restore-board-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358460-f41c0e540d8ceace96c5605266f9d048/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646602&Signature=CeJEQutaCMMgM2kimkw0ES9C19Q6ndw9QuswwPBMRd8Z3ssvRA~8FavXxO~lNxC7IMN6LeZzezC34g7CNjCwo-TEaGLMoig~-10-xX9cp-RkvfhY4hmtD2ux7NYikObg8kE9XzymoAgCYLlPRcMKMk-Nx4QWU1iLqeIL-AhAYoJQfYa6DQkBWJhP-hmc9kIOuszIkEz2ky5~fKhdboe45WxVNaSfvCrm501lkAOhyFetyMmx~0EftTmIVm-PsW9jnx9BmBIlojGpDABNUlsAenH8QbrcFTgzGz1RFUenLOgOvJTWO9pqswK2DOIPan~U70TdnDNQUlWTumShW--VHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee approved IDAPA docket 24‑0801‑2401, the rules of the Idaho State Board of Morticians, by roll‑call vote. Committee members voted to adopt the pending rule package after hearing staff explain regulatory cleanups and a proposed fee increase intended to restore the board’s cash reserves.

John Price, bureau chief for the Occupational Licensing Bureau, presented the docket and described multiple changes: removal of language duplicative of statute, clarification that resident trainees must complete 12 months of supervised experience within a three‑year period rather than 50 weeks in a single year, redefinition of “immediately available” supervision to allow in‑person or remote consultation, and shifting initial inspections to occur before licensure. The rules also delete provisions made obsolete by statute or federal regulation.

Price told the committee the board has proposed raising fees by approximately 20% while moving to a biannual fee cycle to meet statutory intent that boards maintain a cash balance above 30% of the five‑year rolling average of expenditures. He gave an example: “an annual funeral director's license currently is $85 annually. Under a biannual structure that would be increased to $170 every other year, and with a 20% increase they're proposing a funeral director license of $200,” Price said.

Senator Guthrie asked whether the biannual option removes a one‑year renewal choice; Price said statutory language requires moving boards to a biannual licensure cycle. Guthrie and others pressed on the board’s finances; Price said the morticians’ board had a negative balance of just over $59,000 as of Sept. 30 of the prior year, and that other boards in the division temporarily cover shortfalls until revenue returns.

Senator Ward Engle King moved to adopt docket 24‑0801‑2401; Senator Leahy seconded. The committee took a roll call; the chair announced the motion carried, 8 ayes and 1 nay. The committee record shows the package includes a proposed fee‑raise and conversion to a biennial fee schedule to rebuild reserves, and the rules will take effect as provided by the administrative rules process.

The adopted changes are part of the division’s red‑tape reduction review and reflect input from licensees and associations. Committee members said they expect to revisit fees if the board reaches the statutorily required balance.","The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee approved pending rules for the Idaho State Board of Morticians (docket 24‑0801‑2401). The package deletes duplicative rules, updates trainee and inspection requirements and shifts licensing to a biannual fee structure with roughly a 20% increase to restore a negative cash balance.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358465,"Senate committee advances bill removing 30‑day trial demand for mechanics’ liens",398,11604,410184,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede&start=11&end=410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212449-555e5e74b10ab199cf59c946b2b8bede/thumbnail_11604.jpg","/articles/6358465/Idaho/Senate-committee-advances-bill-removing-30day-trial-demand-for-mechanics-liens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358465-95e92e91bac0023d1a6e828388ca9e11/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646602&Signature=V5jqWhweO2FswEe4cBHKlijOW9WcZjZqxV3dv-Hgsmdc-pQGaCMGXrSUIYFXQagMbym2DuiiwrDvAIE~ojDyS0ySoVzXVXCyl~POmnfx3LdF5Y6XExTDwlONwy3-NdFYbMZ5X1xGYX-k7MOQe6bNjOUwKzR-y~IMVghJk7dLGbyDsjTU81rRXe5B3VfUllpz7Vc0YLCGsJ3IKGmhktbL2vmiQ3wF0rTqKGaJAmYnPzyChR1w-sZEMNCwrW5wfe-gUyN2~TMFcfUjvPf~ucHf29h62VLgCK1CRvDEH474fGdampuceBevCm8CDeD-NAhEDNUL0tyx8Eh0k2u6HkNSDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Commerce and Human Resources advanced Senate Bill 1005 on a voice vote, sending the measure to the full Senate with a recommendation that it “do pass.” The bill would remove a provision that lets a claimant who files a mechanics’ or materialman’s lien require the court to reschedule other cases and hold a trial within 30 days.

Senator Todd Lakey, presenting the bill, told the committee the provision gives an “overly aggressive preference of one type of claimant over others” by forcing courts to vacate existing settings and cram trials into 30 days. “Depending on the case…that 30 days is not really enough for the parties to gather information and evidence,” Lakey said, arguing the requirement could unfairly displace other litigants and makes him “uncomfortable” from a due‑process perspective.

Sean Schupak, testifying on behalf of the Idaho Associated General Contractors, said the organization had thoroughly vetted the legislation and expressed support. No one testified in opposition. After brief discussion, Senator Burtt moved to send SB 1005 to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation; the motion was seconded by Senator Nichols and carried on a voice vote.

Supporters said the bill preserves the existing option for a general contractor or property owner to post a bond to allow a project to proceed while a payment dispute is resolved; the change removes the statutory ability of a lien filer to force an expedited court schedule that displaces other cases. The committee did not receive any court or stakeholder testimony opposing the deletion.

Senate Bill 1005 now goes to the full Senate for consideration.","The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1005 to the Senate floor with a “do pass” recommendation. The bill deletes a code provision that lets a lien claimant force a 30‑day trial and displace other court settings; supporters said the change restores fairness in scheduling while preserving bond protections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: reappointment and rule dockets approved by Senate Commerce committee

Your Health Idaho reports record enrollment, plans fee change and $44 million saved for Idahoans

Committee backs bill to make fingerprinting discretionary for counselor licenses

Committee approves morticians’ rule rewrite and biannual fee increase to restore board reserves

Senate committee advances bill removing 30‑day trial demand for mechanics’ liens