House Business Committee introduces batch of RS bills including repeal of small‑employer reinsurance and proposals to delicense several occupations

The Idaho House Business Committee on an unspecified date introduced a set of request‑for‑session (RS) proposals, approving motions by voice vote to send the measures to public hearing. The items included a repeal of a long‑dormant small‑employer reinsurance program, a state insurance data‑security standard for larger insurers and agencies, a joint memorial urging Congress to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act, and six separate RSs from Representative Jeff Ehlers that would remove state licensure for several narrowly defined occupations.

The introductions do not change law; they simply allow the proposals to be printed and scheduled for committee hearings. Committee Chair Clow presided over the session in which representatives explained each RS, answered questions, and moved to introduce the measures. All motions carried by voice vote with “aye” recorded and no formal roll‑call tally given.

Representative Rod Furnas, District 31, presented RS 31818, which he described as “a repeal of an unnecessary program” and said it has “no fiscal impact.” Furnas told the committee the state’s small‑employer reinsurance mechanism, created under the 1993 Small Employer Insurance Availability Act, has not covered a live claim since February 2016 and “in 02/2021, it’s really null and void.” He said the program still required annual audits and related audit fees, and the repeal would remove redundant code sections.

Representative Jordan Redmond presented two insurance‑related measures. RS 31816 would create an Idaho‑specific standard for insurance‑related data security and reporting of breaches; he said the proposal would apply to “insurance companies and agencies with more than 50 employees” and is intended “to protect Idahoans while not being overburdening to the industry.” Redmond said the bill would adopt industry standards for breach reporting because “presently, there is no obligation for an insurer to inform the department…of any breaches that may occur causing solvency issues, operating or policyholder harm.”

Redmond also presented RS 31964, a joint memorial asking the state’s federal delegation to repeal the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Redmond characterized the CTA as an “unconstitutional…expansion of federal power” and said the memorial would request repeal to relieve what he and other speakers described as burdensome requirements for small businesses.

Representative Jeff Ehlers introduced six RSs aimed at removing state licensure requirements for specific occupations. He said the set grew from earlier committee inquiries about why certain narrow occupations are licensed when broader or similar services are not, and that his review included counts of licensees and complaint volumes. The six measures, each presented and moved separately, would repeal licensing code sections for: certain genetic counselors (RS 32119), shorthand reporters (RS 32120), thermal stylists (RS 32121), makeup artists (RS 32122), glamour photography (RS 32123), and denture makers/fitters (RS 32143).

Ehlers described the package as a deregulatory effort to reduce barriers to entry, saying the market can signal qualifications for many of the affected services. He also said some items fall under the Barber and Cosmetology Board code and so require targeted repeals in those chapters. Committee members asked questions about oversight alternatives: whether registration or supervision by existing boards would be appropriate and whether specific boards (for example, dentistry) had been consulted about shifting responsibilities. Ehlers said discussions with some stakeholders are ongoing and that he expects fuller testimony in public hearings.

Committee members expressed a range of reactions. Representative Barbieri said safety concerns had driven prior licensure decisions for makeup artists and thermal stylists and that she expected safety‑related testimony at hearings. Representative Harris said she was “a little apprehensive” about delicensing denture makers and would like more industry input. Several members voiced support for the memorial on the CTA, calling the federal requirements confusing and burdensome for small businesses.

Every RS introduced at the meeting was approved for introduction by voice vote; the committee noted public hearings will follow. Chair Clow reminded members of forthcoming scheduling plans for additional meetings and public hearings.

Votes at a glance

- RS 31818 — Repeal small‑employer reinsurance program. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Rod Furnas.) - RS 31816 — Insurance data‑security standard for insurers/agencies with >50 employees. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jordan Redmond.) - RS 31964 — Joint memorial urging Congress to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jordan Redmond.) - RS 32119 — Delicense (specific genetic counseling license). Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jeff Ehlers.) - RS 32120 — Delicense shorthand reporters. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jeff Ehlers.) - RS 32121 — Delicense thermal stylists. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jeff Ehlers.) - RS 32122 — Delicense makeup artists. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jeff Ehlers.) - RS 32123 — Delicense glamour photography. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jeff Ehlers.) - RS 32143 — Delicense denture makers/fitters. Motion to introduce: carried by voice vote. (Explained by Representative Jeff Ehlers.)

Next steps

All measures were introduced for printing and referral to public hearing; the committee did not take final action on any substantive policy. Chairs and sponsors said they expect testimony and technical follow‑up at public hearings before any legislation would be recommended for passage. The committee noted a planned follow‑up meeting and public‑hearing scheduling will determine each RS’s legislative path.

(Reporting based on committee proceedings and on‑record remarks in the meeting transcript.)