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Votes at a glance: Senate Health & Welfare committee approves multiple administrative rule dockets
Summary
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee approved a package of administrative rule dockets on January 8, 2025, including repeals, fee-rule updates and ZBR (zero-based review) consolidations. All dockets on the agenda carried on voice votes.
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee considered and approved a series of administrative rule dockets covering a range of state health programs, adopting each by voice vote.
Key dockets and outcomes (motion mover / second, outcome):
- Docket 16-132-401 (EMS chapter repeal, consolidating previously repealed chapters): motion by Senator Harris, second Senator Ziderfeld — carries by voice vote.
- Docket 16-212-2401 (Newborn screening ZBR review, updated internal laboratory processing language): motion by Senator Blaylock, second Senator Van Orden — carries by voice vote. Committee members asked about parental informed consent; the department noted Idaho has had newborn screening requirements in statute since 1921 and that a religious exemption exists in statute.
- Docket 16-213-2401 (Drinking Water Lab Certification Fee rule): motion by Senator Harris, second Senator Wintrow — carries by voice vote. The rule updates include incorporation by reference of EPA Supplement 2 to the Certification Manual, raises certain annual certification fees (e.g., chemistry labs from $50 to $100, out-of-state chemistry labs from $50 to $200, microbiology fee to $150 flat) and estimates about $8,300 in net increased receipts to the department; the Bureau Chief said no Idaho labs currently certified for the giardia/cryptosporidium test referenced in the incorporated supplement.
- Docket 16-418-2401 and related foster care licensing dockets (alignment following adoption of final foster care licensing rules): motion by Senator Harris, second Senator Wintrow — carries by voice vote.
- Docket 16-407-2401 (State hospital fees chapter repeal): motion by Senator Blaylock, second Senator Van Orden — carries by voice vote.
- Three rule dockets removing the department-as-provider language for adult mental health, children's mental health, and SUD services (reflecting the Magellan contract effective 07/01/2024) were approved on voice votes (motions and seconds recorded in transcript per docket; see provenance). Public testimony on the children's mental health docket raised concerns about how "medical necessity" would be applied alongside judicial orders; the department answered those concerns on the record.
- Docket 16-313-2401 (Consumer Directed Services ZBR chapter): motion by Senator Shippey, second Senator Ziderfeld — carries by voice vote.
Most dockets were presented as ZBR (zero-based review) or as repeals to align rule text with federal requirements or the state's contract with Magellan. Where public comment was received (for example on provider-certifier reciprocity for SUDs and on medical necessity language for children's mental health), the committee heard testimony and the department's response before voting.
