Committee advances bill moving several lab rules into statute, permits state lab to adjust testing fees

Sen. Carl Bjerke, sponsor of House Bill 198, told the committee the bill relocates several administrative rules that govern laboratory quality assurance, drinking-water laboratory certification, clandestine drug laboratory cleanup and state laboratory fees into statute. "This bill moves IDAPA 16.02.06, 16.02.13, 16.02.24 and 16.02.25 from administrative rule into statute," Bjerke said.

Bjerke said the legislation does not add new regulatory burdens beyond existing code and rules but moves rule language into statute. He highlighted section 12, which authorizes the state lab to change testing fees to market rates so that state lab pricing does not disadvantage private entities that offer similar services. Bjerke said the fee schedule had not been updated for many years and cited the last review as decades old.

Senators asked clarifying questions. Senator Wintrow confirmed the bill is primarily a move from rules into statute and that, aside from the state-lab fee provision, the substance remains the same. Senator Shippy expressed support, noting concerns from a constituent about private labs being undercut by state lab pricing.

A motion to send HB 198 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation was made by Senator Shippey and seconded by Senator Wintrow; the committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor.

Key details: Sponsor said the statutory move does not increase regulatory burden and that the fee authorization in section 12 is intended to permit market-rate fees to avoid disadvantaging private labs. Bjerke said the fee provision addresses rates last reviewed decades earlier.