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House passes bill exempting accredited private postsecondary schools from outfitter licensing
Summary
The Idaho House passed House Bill 15 to extend an existing Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board exemption to accredited private postsecondary institutions, voting 59-10 with one absent. Sponsors said the change aligns private schools with public institutions; some lawmakers and outfitters raised concerns.
House Bill 15, which extends an existing exemption under the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board to accredited private postsecondary schools, passed the Idaho House on Jan. 29, 2025, 59-10 with one member absent and excused. The House approved the bill after debate and closed the question to final passage.
Sponsor Representative (Good Lady) from District 34 said the bill "simply provides equality for our private accredited post secondary schools" so they would not have to seek a separate outfitter license to run curriculum-related outdoor activities that take students onto state and federal lands. She told members the bill "came out of committee unanimously with a due pass recommendation."
The bill would apply the same licensing exemption that currently covers state public institutions — including universities and colleges — to private accredited postsecondary institutions in Idaho. The sponsor said the change affects classroom programs and student activities that require permitted access to public lands and argued that regional Fish and Game offices reported few complaints and generally favorable behavior from student groups.
During floor questioning, Representative (Good Lady) from District 2 asked whether the person who told the sponsor the outfitters were "not interested in pursuing" legislation was an official representative of the Outfitters and Guides organization. The sponsor said the person she spoke with was, to her understanding, the group's executive director but that she could not be certain of the official title.
Representative (Good Lady) from District 2 also said she had heard from two outfitters who opposed the change and said she could not "in good conscience vote in favor" without knowing whether those speakers represented the broader membership. The sponsor replied that the committee public hearing produced a single commenter representing the outfitters and guides and no additional testimony was offered in committee.
The House approved the bill; the clerk recorded "59 ayes, 10 nays, 1 absent and excused." The bill title was approved and the measure was ordered transmitted to the Senate.
The record does not specify the precise statutory text to be amended or the bill's effective date beyond the House action. The transcript also does not include a full list of outfitters who oppose or support the change.
