Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drinking Water Rules topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves Board of Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals rules but excludes fee change
Summary
The committee approved rule changes for drinking water and wastewater professional licensing — clarifying license types, experience requirements, and continuing education — but removed the proposed fee increase (section 400) pending more data.
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee approved a package of administrative rule changes for the Board of Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals while excluding the contested fee increase (Rule 400) for further review.
Jessica Spoja, BCRE Licensing and Registration Manager at DOPL, reviewed multiple changes: updates to the license table and disciplinary actions; clarifications that endorsement applicants meet the same requirements as initial applicants; exam scores valid for one year; revisions to onsite work-experience requirements and alignment of apprenticeship programs to license classes; elimination of a 3,200-hour responsible charge requirement for Class 3 or 4 licenses; adjusted continuing education rules; authority for the Board to audit approved exam providers; removal of a Grandparent License; and a fee increase in Rule 400 intended to meet a 30 percent cash-balance requirement in Idaho Code § 67-2608. Spoja said the word "drinking" was added for consistency in references to drinking water.
Senator Zuiderveld raised concern that agencies were striking state rules and incorporating federal regulations, which could reduce state oversight by defaulting to federal standards. Chair VanOrden moved to approve the docket with the exception of section 400 (Fees) because committee members felt insufficient data justified the fee increase. The motion carried on roll call, eight senators voting aye and one nay.
