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Idaho panel introduces measure requiring agencies to identify outdated statutes
Summary
Rep. Mike Moyle introduced RS31897 on Jan. 13, asking state agencies to report by Sept. 1, 2025, on statutes they consider unnecessary; lawmakers discussed timeline, agency capacity and fiscal implications before approving introduction by voice vote.
BOISE — The Idaho House State Affairs Committee on Jan. 13 approved introduction of RS31897, a measure from Rep. Mike Moyle that would require state agencies to report to the Legislature by Sept. 1, 2025, on statutes they consider outdated or unnecessary.
The bill’s sponsor said the reports are intended to give lawmakers a starting point for statutory cleanup during the next legislative session. “What this bill does is requires all state agencies by September first of 2025 to report back to the legislature what they think is unnecessary,” Rep. Mike Moyle said. He told the committee the requirement would include an online portal to collect submissions.
Moyle framed RS31897 as a continuation of recent efforts to reduce unnecessary regulation. “The last few years the legislature, you all, have been doing some things that are now getting national attention,” he said, mentioning coverage by the Wall Street Journal and comments by Elon Musk.
Committee members questioned whether the Sept. 1 deadline and existing staff resources would be sufficient. Rep. Polhonkus asked whether the timeline “gives those agencies enough time” and whether some agencies would need to reassign employees to the task. Moyle said larger agencies “know those codes better than you and I do” and should be able to complete the work, while smaller agencies may face greater challenges. He added that staff at the Legislative Services Office (LSO) will have substantial work compiling information submitted by agencies.
Rep. Dygert pressed on fiscal impacts, asking whether agencies would need extra funding or overtime to meet the requirement. Moyle responded that agencies could request resources but indicated he expected them to find a way to comply without new appropriations, saying, “they'll be alright.”
After discussion, a committee member moved to introduce RS31897 and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The record does not show a roll-call tally.
The proposal would allow agencies, while reviewing their own statutes, to identify additional statutes administered by other agencies that might also be obsolete. Moyle said the intention is to produce a set of candidate statutes lawmakers can consider removing or amending when the Legislature reconvenes.
The committee also approved the meeting minutes at the start of the session by voice vote. No final legislative action on RS31897 occurred beyond introduction; the bill was referred for further consideration under committee procedures.
