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 (the maximum allowed by code). Byrd told the committee the board’s expenditures currently exceed fee revenues and that the increase is projected to close an annual net loss of approximately $21,000. The committee approved the docket by voice vote.

Contractor registration and real‑estate rules Byrd also presented rule changes for the Idaho State Contractors Board (IDAPA 24.21.01). These changes mostly renumber for consistency and delete language duplicative of statute. The committee approved the contractors docket by voice vote.

The committee considered the Idaho Real Estate Commission rules (IDAPA 24.37.01). Byrd said the commission voted to decrease broker and salesperson initial and renewal fees from $135 in response to legislative intent in Senate Bill 1442 (2024) directing boards with fund balances above a statutory threshold to lower fees. The Real Estate Commission’s cash balance was reported at about $3,000,000 (roughly 62% of five‑year rolling average expenditures); reducing fees is projected to reduce revenue by about $200,000 per year. During the discussion, the committee questioned a rule provision (rule 150.02 sub A) that appeared duplicative of statute on continuing education topics; the committee voted to approve the docket with the exception that rule 150.02 sub A be rejected.

Other dockets approved The committee also approved dockets for the Public Works Contractors License Board (temporary fee decreases tied to the division’s cash‑balance plan), Factory‑Built Structures (fee decrease), and Building Safety (permit fee reductions of about 30% by the Building Code Board). Each of those dockets was presented by Katie Stewart, bureau chief for the Administration Bureau at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, and approved by voice vote.

Procedure and votes Most dockets were approved by voice vote after brief presentations and no public opposition at the hearing. Where a change was made between proposed and pending rules—such as fee adjustments or the removal of duplicative language—presenters noted the changes occurred at public board meetings and that no contrary public comments were received during the rule‑making process.

What to watch - The geologist fee increase is intended to stop an ongoing annual operating shortfall for the board; the rule raises the renewal fee to $100, the statutory maximum reported by staff. - The Real Estate Commission fee reduction is intended to reduce a $3 million cash balance; the committee rejected one subsection (150.02 sub A) that committee members found duplicative of statutory authority.

Sources: Testimony by Michelle Byrd (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) and Katie Stewart (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses); committee motions and voice‑vote record.