Committee introduces RS31873 to extend outfitters-and-guides exemption to accredited private postsecondary institutions

The Resources and Conservation Committee voted to introduce RS31873, a proposal to make private postsecondary institutions accredited by organizations recognized by the state board of education exempt from the state's outfitters-and-guides licensing requirements in the same manner as public institutions.

"It says explicitly a public or private post secondary educational institution accredited by an organization recognized by the state board of education is exempt from the provisions of the chapter," Representative Raybould said while describing the draft. He cited the existing Idaho code provision (36-2,102) that exempts state employees performing actions related to their job and said public institutions had used prior exemptions to allow curricular guided trips.

Representative Raybould said the proposed change would "create equivalency across the board for any post secondary institution that is accredited in Idaho as it relates to licensing." He noted institutions sometimes operate guided river trips and other excursions as part of coursework or training for recreation and resource management degrees.

A motion to introduce RS31873 was made and carried by voice vote; the transcript records members responding "aye" and the chair declaring "The ayes have it." The meeting record does not include a roll-call tally or named votes.

The committee did not hold a substantive bill hearing on RS31873 at this meeting; Representative Shepherd said he would have more questions at the bill hearing. No amendments, fiscal notes, or effective dates were discussed during the introduction. The transcript refers to lines 32–33 of the draft as where the exemption language appears; members were invited to take up detailed questions when the bill is scheduled for hearing.