Senate committee advances HB 368 after amendment to preserve review of WWAMI seats

The Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to send House Bill 368 to the fourteenth order for possible amendment on a voice/roll-call motion, advancing legislation that directs the State Board of Education to develop an undergraduate medical education plan and creates a work group to evaluate growth of medical training in Idaho.

The bill was amended in committee to change a provision that would have required state funding for the WWAMI (University of Washington) medical education program to be decreased by 10 seats beginning in the 2027–2028 academic year. Representative Dustin Manwaring, the bill sponsor, described the change from “shall” to “may” as the primary substantive amendment and said the alteration gives the State Board discretion to recommend retaining or changing WWAMI seats after the work group evaluates multiple factors.

The amendment also adds legislative representation and Idaho-institution seats to the work group, including members from Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), Idaho State University and the University of Idaho, with additional appointments to be made by the State Board.

Supporters at the hearing…