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Senate State Affairs Committee advances kinship caregiving resolution, PBM reforms and other measures
Summary
At its March 4 meeting, the Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee voted by voice to send multiple resolutions and bills to print or the floor, including a kinship caregiving resolution, pharmacy benefit manager reforms, changes to presidential primary timing and a wildlife‑crossings resolution.
The Senate State Affairs Committee met March 4, 2026, and by voice vote forwarded a package of resolutions and bills for further consideration, including a kinship caregiving resolution, proposed pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms and a proposal to change Idaho's presidential primary date.
Senator Wintrow introduced RS 33603 to support the Idaho Caregiving Alliance in drafting and executing a statewide strategic plan for kinship caregiving. Wintrow said the Alliance, established in 2012, would provide vision and direction for kinship caregivers and stated that no public funds would be used for the planning work. Senator Shippy asked for more detail about the plan; Wintrow said it was still being developed.
Senator Blaylock introduced RS 33536 addressing pharmacy benefit managers. She said the measure would set a dispensing fee and replacement rates for pharmacies, increase PBM transparency and prohibit practices that disadvantage independent Idaho pharmacies. When Senator Shippy asked whether the Idaho Director of Insurance had been consulted, Blaylock replied that the director had been consulted.
Chairman Guthrie presented RS 33535 to move Idaho’s presidential primary to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May; he said the prior caucus format was, in his view, associated with low voter turnout. The committee also agreed to send RS 33511 to codify Public Utilities Commission rules on large power loads and RS 33589 to allow temporary administrative rules to remain in effect until pending rules are adopted on July 1 of each year.
Senator Shippy explained RS 33586, a campaign‑finance proposal to amend Title 67, Idaho Code, to exempt religious organizations from reporting donor lists for ballot initiatives provided such spending does not exceed 10% of the organization’s prior‑year total receipts. Senator Bernt introduced RS 33599, a concurrent resolution urging state leaders to recognize and support wildlife crossing signage as a public‑safety measure; Senator Adams voiced support.
All of the measures on the committee agenda were moved and seconded and carried by voice vote to be sent to print or to the floor as noted in committee minutes. The committee adjourned at 8:26 a.m.
Next steps: the measures advanced by the committee will proceed through the regular legislative process — most were sent to print for bill drafting and scheduling; H 652 was recommended to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation.
