Newsletter, February 7, 2018
Floor Session:
This week was much busier during our Floor Sessions, as we voted on many more Bills. Although most were still "clean up" Bills, we did begin to see actual legislation. We did not vote on anything on Friday due to the untimely passing of the husband of The Speaker's Executive Secretary. He was an engaging, kind, and generous man, well known, and loved, by many of us in the Legislature who have interacted with him over the years. The news deeply affected almost everyone in the House Chambers, and it was obvious to the Speaker that we should postpone our business until Monday.
As in previous Legislative Sessions, all votes are "YES" unless otherwise noted.
H374 Amends law regarding dredge mining
H357 Amends law regarding filing answers to certain claims
H358 Amends law regarding courts retaining jurisdiction over prisoners
H359 Amends law regarding statements in verified complaints
H360 Amends law regarding counseling for persons guilty of attempted strangulation
H352 Amends law regarding license exemptions for health professionals
H353 Amends law regarding immunity for volunteer health providers
H354 Amends law regarding opioid dispersal filing requirements
H381 Amends law regarding charitable contribution deductions
H382 Amends law regarding taxable income change notifications
H383 Amends law regarding rights and obligations of tobacco producers
H390 Amends law regarding tax abstracts sent to Tax Commission
H391 Amends law regarding reporting of property tax errors
H392 Amends law regarding tax allotments for renewable energy sources
H369 Amends law regarding Roadless Rule Commission
SCR125 Amends Joint Rule 4 regarding enrolling and engrossing Bills
H339 Amends law regarding drug product substitution
H340 Amends law regarding controlled substances
H348 Amends law regarding honorarium for Board of Acupuncture
H349 Amends law regarding occupational therapy licensing
H350 Amends law regarding licenses of marriage and family therapists
H351 Amends law regarding pharmacy licensing and registration
H343 Amends law regarding revising a definition for dentists
H344 Amends law regarding procedures performed by dental hygienists
H345 Amends law regarding revising a definition for dentists
H346 Amends law regarding compensation for member of dentistry board
H366 Amends law regarding workers compensation in education
H441 Appropriation for the Soil and Water Conservation Commission
H442 Appropriation for Transportation Department
H361 Amends law regarding filing fees for business organizations
H375 Amends law regarding short line railroad tax credits
Committee Reports:
JFAC:
This week continued budget hearings from the various agencies. One anomaly this week was that we heard an RS in JFAC. Usually JFAC does not enter the policy arena, but only handles financial issues. However, the topic was explicitly financial, and we were the Committee best positioned to understand the proposed legislation. The proposed legislation was regarding funding an upgrade in the State Controller's data system, and was allowed to be introduced by the Committee.
The budgets that were addressed were:
Dept. of Health/Welfare
Public Health Services
Division of Welfare
Indirect Support Services
Licensing and Certification
State Appellate Public Defender
Public Defense Commission
Attorney General
Dept. of Fish/Game
Office of Species Conservation
Child Welfare
Services for Developmentally Disabled
Healthcare Policy Initiatives
Division of Medicaid
Secretary of State
Dept. of Administration
Bond Payment Program
Permanent Building Fund
Capitol Commission
Idaho Public Television
Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Commission on Aging
Mental Health Services
Psychiatric Hospitalization
Substance Abuse Services
Transportation & Defense:
There was only one meeting this week in which we heard three RS's, and two Bills.
The RS's were all recommended to print:
Vehicle Emissions Testing Exemption
School Safety Patrol Reporting
Left Lane Traffic
The Bills were:
H364 Overweight/Overload Permits
H387 Purple Heart License Plates
Business:
We held three meetings this week to make up for time lost due to Sub-Committee meetings. We heard 16 RS's and approved reports from the remaining two Sub-Committees. We also heard and rejected a proposed rule that pertained to "tiny homes" within the Building Code.
The RS's were all recommended to print:
Insurance Dividends
Farm Equipment agreements
Real Estate Documents
Real Estate Continuing Education
Architecture Practice Act
Real Estate appraisal reviews
Minimum Wage Family Exemption
Electrical Inspectors
Electrical Contractors
Electrical Licensing (limited electrical work)
Plumbing Competency Requirement
HVAC Competency Requirement
HVAC Exams and Certificates
Plumber's Inactive Certificates
Plumbing Code rule rejection
Vehicle financial responsibility
I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent District 1 in The Idaho House of Representatives.
Lord Bless,
Sage G. Dixon
