Committee introduces bill to bar new professional licenses by rule, clarify scope of practice

Representative Jeff Ehlers, R.-District 21 of Meridian, asked the House Health and Welfare Committee to introduce RS32139, a draft that would limit how new occupational and professional licenses are created and clarify who may perform licensed acts.

Ehlers told the committee RS32139 contains three main provisions: it would prevent new licensures from being created solely through administrative rule or department policy; it would require licensure fees be established in statute or rule rather than left to agency discretion; and it would add a section on “universal occupational and professional licensing,” under which a licensed professional who is educated, trained and experienced to perform an act consistent with their license may perform that act.

"We've seen some instances where it could be created through rule. We don't want that," Ehlers said, adding that such changes should "go through the regular legislative process." He said requiring fees to be set in statute or rule would preserve public input and the rulemaking or legislative process.

Committee members did not debate the bill's language at length during the introduction. Representative Wheeler moved to introduce RS32139; the motion passed by voice vote. The committee recorded the introduction only; the bill will receive a full hearing for substantive debate, amendment and a formal vote at a later date.

Because RS32139 is an introductory request, the committee did not adopt policy or change existing law at this meeting. Questions and technical examples were deferred to a full hearing where sponsors said they would supply detail.

The bill was introduced by voice vote and is scheduled for a future public hearing before the committee.