House Business Committee approves six administrative and temporary rule dockets, implementing fee and procedural changes

The House Business Committee on Jan. 21, 2025 approved six rule dockets that make procedural changes for licensing boards and reduce some permit fees under the intent language associated with Senate Bill 1442.

The committee approved final rule dockets for: - IDAPA 24.08.01 (Idaho State Board of Morticians), docket 24-0801-2401, which reorganizes the chapter for clarity, requires initial inspections before licensure, changes continuing education from 8 hours annually to 10 hours every two years, removes duplicative language and raises licensing fees (the board proposed approximately a 20% increase and converting annual fees to a biennial schedule); Bureau Chief John Price presented the changes and told the committee the board is "in the red currently" and that the fee increase is a step to improve cash balances. - IDAPA 24.30.01 (Idaho State Board of Accountancy), docket 24-3001-2401, which updates the board's incorporated CPE standards to the 2024 statements, extends the CPA exam credit window from 18 to 30 months, allows the board to grant exam-credit extensions for good cause, and reduces several fees to align with the division's cash-balance plan. - IDAPA 24.29.01 (Idaho Certified Shorthand Reporters Board), docket 24-2901-2401, which removes the board's Idaho-specific examination (the board no longer administers its own exam), consolidates fee tables, and clarifies licensure by endorsement for out-of-state certified shorthand reporters.

The committee also approved temporary rule dockets, presented by Katie Stewart of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, that reduce permit and licensing fees under SB 1442's intent guidance: - Docket 24-3930-25001 (Building Safety): the Building Code Board reduced permit fees by 30% to lower costs for permit holders. - Docket 24-3931-25001 (Factory Built Structures): the Factory Built Structures Board reduced permit fees by 20%. - Docket 24-3950-25001 (Public Works Contractor Licensing Board): the board reduced fees by 20% and added "not to exceed" language so the board can decrease fees more readily in the future.

Why it matters: Committee members were told by division staff that several boards have cash balances below the division's 30% threshold under the plan prompted by Senate Bill 1442. The division presented the reductions as steps to rebalance cash holdings, reduce burdens on licensees and permit applicants, and give boards greater flexibility to manage fees.

Votes and procedure All dockets were approved by the committee on voice votes. Representative Birch moved approval of the morticians docket; Representative Wheeler moved the accountancy docket; Representative Ken moved the shorthand reporters docket; other dockets were presented and approved following the division's presentations. Temporary dockets were described as actions taken under the division's SB 1442 implementation and approved without recorded roll-call tallies in the committee transcript.

Selected details from presentations John Price, Bureau Chief for the Division's occupational licensing bureau, said mortician rules were reorganized and clarified, and explained the proposed fee change by example: "an annual funeral director license was $85 annually. Under a biennial structure that would increase to 170 every other year and with a 20% increase they're proposing a funeral director license of 200." He told the committee the board had been running at a deficit ("just under $60,000 in the red" as of Sept. 30, 2024) and that the proposed increases are a partial corrective step.

Cecily Metcalfe, Board Services Program Manager and executive officer for the Board of Accountancy, said the CPA exam credit extension aligns the state with national practice because the exam is updated every four years and score-release timing can shorten the credit window.

Katie Stewart, Bureau Chief for the Division's Administration Bureau, said the temporary reductions for building-related boards came from SB 1442 intent language and the division's cash-balance plan. "We have 13 that are under that 30% threshold," she told the committee when describing boards with low cash balances.

Ending The committee approved all presented dockets; the rule changes will take effect according to their statutory timelines and any notice requirements in the administrative rules process. Boards and the division staff said they will continue to monitor cash balances and make additional rule changes or legislative fixes as needed under the SB 1442 implementation plan.