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Committee rejects occupational therapy fee rule after members demand more data
Summary
The committee rejected a pending occupational therapy fee rule after DOPL testimony and debate about cash balances and statutory procedure; members who opposed the increase said projected fee jumps were not justified without a formal cost‑benefit analysis.
The committee voted to reject Docket 24Dash0601Dash2501, a pending rule that would have raised initial occupational therapist licensure from $80 to $160 and renewals from $40 to $80.
Oren Duffin told members that the Occupational Therapy Licensure Board closed FY2025 with a cash balance of $16,463, roughly 20% of the five‑year rolling average, and that DOPL expects reserves to be depleted by fiscal year 2027. "Even with these savings, the board's cash balance has continued to worsen," Duffin said, noting personnel reductions and other cost‑cutting measures.
Senator Lenny moved to reject the docket, arguing that the committee had not been given sufficient data to justify a 100% increase in initial licensure fees. Lauren Smizer of the Division of Financial Management clarified the procedural background and said that a failed motion to approve (a tie) differs from a formal statutory rejection under Idaho Code 67-52-91, which requires an explicit finding of fact. The committee took a roll‑call vote on the motion to reject and the motion passed.
