Senate committee approves multiple licensing rule dockets; geologist fee rises, real‑estate fees cut and one subsection rejected

The Idaho Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee approved a group of licensing and rule dockets on the committee agenda, adopting changes for professional geologists, contractor registration, public works contractors, factory‑built structures, building safety and others. The committee also approved reductions to real‑estate licensing fees but rejected one Real Estate Commission rule subsection on continuing education topics.

Geology rules and fees Michelle Byrd, investigations program manager for the Building, Construction and Real Estate Bureau at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, presented the rule changes for the Board of Registration for Professional Geologists. The amendments renumbered and clarified existing rules, removed language duplicative of statute, aligned definitions with the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG), and increased the annual renewal fee from $60 to $100…