Senate Commerce approves multiple licensing-rule dockets; electrical code items advanced with early-implementation request

The Idaho Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee on a single agenda approved multiple rule dockets from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses affecting professional licensure, contractor registration, building and electrical rules, and several licensing boards.

Presenters from the division outlined technical and administrative changes across boards. Key actions included final approval of rule changes for the Board of Registration for Professional Geologists (which raises the annual renewal fee), acceptance of rule changes for the Idaho State Contractors Board, approval of most of the Idaho Real Estate Commission’s rules with one subsection rejected, and approval of temporary and permanent fee reductions for several licensing programs in accordance with legislative intent language. The committee also approved a negotiated package of changes to implement the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) exemptions and a residential electrician license framework, and it voted to make that electrical docket effective sine die while holding a related temporary docket subject to the chair’s call.

Highlights and votes at a glance: - Board of Registration for Professional Geologists (Docket 24-0401-2401): The committee approved renumbering, clarified definitions consistent with ASBOG model language, removed duplicative display-of-certificate requirements, simplified examination references (noting ASBOG administers the exams), and approved an increase to the annual renewal fee from $60 to $100. Division testimony said the board’s current expenses exceed revenue, with an annual net loss of approximately $21,000; the $100 fee is the maximum allowed by code and aligns Idaho with most surrounding states. Motion to adopt was made by Sen. Ward Engle King and seconded by Sen. Nichols; the committee voice-voted the motion carried.

- Idaho State Contractors Board (Docket 24-2101-2401): The committee approved mostly renumbering and deletion of language found duplicative of statute (presenters cited specific statutory cross-references). No fee changes were included. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Idaho Real Estate Commission (Docket 24-3701-2401): The rules reduce initial and renewal broker/salesperson license fees (a reduction implemented to comply with legislative intent in Senate Bill 1442 from the 2024 session). The Real Estate Commission’s fee reduction is expected to lower revenue by about $200,000 per year and move a roughly $3 million cash balance (about 62% of expenditures) toward a lower target. The committee approved the docket but explicitly rejected Rule 150.02 sub A (the subsection describing commission-approved continuing-education topics). Motion carried with the exception noted.

- Public Works Contractors Board (Temporary Docket 24-3950-2501) and Factory-Built Structures Board (Temporary Docket 24-3931-2501): Each board presented temporary rules to reduce fees under the cash-balance plan from the 2024 intent language; the Public Works board decreased fees by 20%, and the Factory-Built Structures board also decreased permit fees by 20%. Both dockets were approved by voice vote.

- Building Safety (Temporary Docket 24-3930-2501): The Building Code Board presented a temporary reduction of permit fees by 30% (exceeding the 20% baseline in last year’s plan); the committee approved the temporary docket.

- Idaho Electrical Board (Docket 24-3910-2402 and related docket 24-3910-2401): The committee considered a negotiated rewrite to implement the 2023 NEC with clarified exemptions and a new residential electrician license type. The division described an extensive outreach process (multi-city hearings and more than 75 unique stakeholders) and said changes aim to restore certain 2017 exemptions, clarify supervision limits for a residential electrician, and avoid cost-prohibitive mandates in residential settings (for example, making surge protection and emergency disconnects allowed but not universally required at the residential level). The committee approved the primary docket (motion included an explicit request that the rules take effect sine die) and held a related temporary-docket package in committee subject to the chair’s call so the division can finalize implementation timing.

Presenters on the dockets emphasized that many of the changes were either renumbering and removal of language duplicative of statute, or technical clarifications developed through negotiated rulemaking. Several industry groups testified in support of the electrical code changes, including the Idaho Home Builders Association and the Independent Electrical Contractors, who said they participated in the negotiated-rulemaking and supported the package as a consensus outcome.

The committee recorded routine voice votes (aye/nay) and, where recorded, motions were seconded; no roll-call tallies with member names were recorded in the transcript.