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Senate Commerce committee approves multiple agency dockets, sends appointment and two RS bills forward
Summary
Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee approved several agency rule dockets from the Department of Insurance and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, sent a gubernatorial reappointment to the Senate floor, and sent two RS bills to print by voice votes.
The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee approved a series of agency rule dockets and advanced several items by voice vote, moving them along the legislative process with no recorded opposition in committee.
Why it matters: the approved rule changes cover life settlements, title insurance, surplus lines, the International Fire Code, liquefied petroleum gas rules and licensure formatting, and professional engineers/land surveyors rules — affecting insurers, title companies, fire-safety enforcement and licensed trades across Idaho.
Key approvals and motions
- The committee approved IDAPA 18.03.02 (life settlements; docket 18-03-02-2401). Eric Fletcher, company activities bureau chief at the Department of Insurance, told the committee the rule was reduced by 30 percent to remove language duplicative of statute. "The rule was reduced by 30%. Almost all the cuts were duplicative to chapter 19 existing law," Fletcher said. Senator Ruckdy moved approval; the motion passed by voice vote.
- The committee accepted IDAPA 18.05.01 (title insurance; docket 18-05-01-2401). Shannon Hole, Market Oversight Bureau Chief, said the changes simplify language and included one substantive update to the definition of "collected funds," modernizing references to currency. "My understanding is... clarifying the terms to match what's currently used... United States currency," Hole said. Senator Foreman moved acceptance; the committee approved the docket by voice vote.
- The committee approved IDAPA 18.06.06 (surplus lines; docket 18-06-06-2401). Fletcher said the department clarified that brokers' annual reports are satisfied by premium tax filings rather than a separate report — a longstanding department practice. Senator Guthrie moved approval; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
- The committee approved adoption/updates to the International Fire Code (docket 18-08-01-2401). State Fire Marshal Newt Bridal described negotiated changes to section 17 (Violation Penalties) clarifying enforcement and directing progressive enforcement before prosecutorial action. "...what my office advocates... is a progressive enforcement," Bridal said. Senator Guthrie moved the docket; the committee approved it by voice vote.
- The committee approved DOPL rule dockets affecting licensure for liquefied petroleum gas (docket 24-2201-2401). Jessica Spoya, licensing and registration program manager at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, said the chapter adopts the NFPA 58 (2024 edition) and changes a work-experience requirement from one year to 2,000 hours to align with on-the-job training standards. Senator Foreman moved acceptance; committee approved by voice vote.
- The committee approved rule changes for professional engineers and land surveyors (docket 24-32-01-2401). Changes include lowering continuing education hours for engineers from 30 to 24 per renewal cycle, clarifying survey experience requirements, and allowing some international reciprocity without additional general-education credits. Senator Guthrie moved approval; voice vote carried.
Other actions
- The committee approved the minutes of 01/09/2025 by voice vote (motion moved by Senator Lakey).
- The committee voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Steve Landon to the Idaho State Insurance Fund Board to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation (motion moved by Senator Ruckdy; voice vote).
- The committee voted to send RS 31943 (mechanics and materialmen lien clarification) to print (motion moved by Senator Guthrie). Senator Lakey explained the RS removes a clause that expedited such liens to the top of court dockets.
- The committee voted to send RS 31944 (choice-of-law provisions for construction contracts) to print (motion moved by Senator Burnt). Senator Lakey said the RS would protect Idaho builders from being forced to litigate under other states' law when building in Idaho.
All recorded approvals in the transcript were taken by voice vote with the chair announcing "Ayes have it." No committee member voiced opposition on the recorded docket and RS items.
