Committee backs bill to align private and public college guide-license exemptions

House resources and conservation committee members voted to send House Bill 15 to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation after Representative Britt Raybould said the measure would equalize how Idaho treats public and private accredited postsecondary institutions that take students on guided outdoor trips.

"House Bill 15 takes a very simple approach to addressing an issue that exists within the code as it relates to outfitters and guides and their licensure," Representative Britt Raybould said. She told the committee the bill clarifies that private accredited institutions should receive the same exemption from outfitter-and-guide licensure that state employees at public postsecondary institutions currently enjoy under existing statute.

The bill drew questions…