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Committee introduces RS31786 to correct university contracting language in Idaho code
Summary
The House Commerce and Human Resources Committee introduced RS31786, a technical amendment to Idaho Code 67-2332A intended to remove an unintended advantage for out-of-state universities and retain contracting transparency; the committee voted to introduce the RS to the floor.
Representative Cheatham told the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee that RS31786 would make small changes to Idaho Code 67-2332A to correct an unintended effect of the existing statute.
The bill aims to fix language that, as written after a prior change, “actually made it easier to do business with out of state universities than our own schools,” Representative Cheatham said. He said the change was proposed by Idaho State University and the University of Idaho to address contractors’ tendency to award work to Boise State because many state agencies are based in Boise. Cheatham added the RS would “retain contracting transparencies” so the state can track who holds contracts.
The committee voted to introduce RS31786. Representative Kent moved to introduce the RS; the motion passed on a voice vote with no opposed members recorded. Cheatham said the measure was introduced in the Senate last year and passed unanimously there but arrived late in the session and did not reach the House previously.
Representative Cheatham described the RS as a narrow correction and did not propose substantive changes to the transparency provisions. No amendments were offered during the committee meeting.
The committee did not discuss fiscal notes or specific contract values during the presentation. Cheatham said representatives from the Department of Administration and the original House sponsor (no longer serving) would be available to testify if members raise process questions later in the legislative process.
Votes at a glance: the committee voted to introduce RS31786 and send it to the next floor step (motion moved by Representative Kent; outcome: introduced to the floor by voice vote).
