LEGISLATIVE UPDATE | WEEK FIVE
February 3 - 7, 2025
Week five of the Sixty-Eighth Idaho Legislature’s first regular session delivered the goods. Some major, high-profile bills dropped. JFAC approved a CEC package as some committee members plugged their noses and voted “aye” despite their disdain for the state employee pay raise proposal. More rules were approved, though others continue to languish. Amid robust, and at times, pointed debate, the House Friday approved the first of the child tax credit/school choice funding bills on a 42-28 vote, clearing HB 93 for debate in the Senate. It’s safe to say things are humming under the dome, so let us break it down for you.
The looming print deadline early next week for non-privileged committees triggered the traditional flurry of RS’s that will crowd agendas in the coming weeks. It’s a harsh early February reality for everyone, but the deadline forces lawmakers to show their policy ideas knowing full well it will cause a log jam for bill drafting staff, bring longer and more contentious committee hearings and force tough choices as Chairmen determine what bills will be heard or flicked aside.
Here’s an interesting twist we’re noticing this year. The large “Christmas tree” bills with significant tax cuts appeared earlier than in the past, forcing the individual policy bills and other pet initiatives to play chase to these higher profile proposals. Stay tuned because even with the print deadline approaching, we know there will be more bills and ideas in the pipeline as the session shifts into a higher, more chaotic gear.
So, what did we see bubble up this week? Three different broadband bills were introduced, along with several water and cloud seeding bills and a handful of wildlife management policy initiatives. Yet another Article V convention effort appeared. There are some new law enforcement bills to consider and some proposed restrictions in city and county policies. Let’s say the statehouse is teeming with ideas, some good and some… well, not so good.
It’s also worth noting that the House introduced HB 138, which would impose work requirement conditions on the voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Rep. Jordan Redman, a Coeur d’Alene Republican, is trying again to require able-bodied individuals enrolled in Medicaid to work or volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per week. The work stipulation would apply unless the person is under 19 or over 64 years of age or meets certain physical, medical or mental health criteria. HB 138 also authorizes Idahoans with gross income at 100 percent of the poverty level to receive an advance premium tax credit to buy health insurance on the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange, forcing Medicaid expansion to shut down within 36 months. It's the second House shot over the Medicaid expansion bow in the last few weeks. Last month, a committee introduced HB 58 seeking full repeal of Medicaid expansion, which was approved by 61 percent of Idaho voters in 2018 and since then has gained in public support in some polling. Redman’s bill is a backstop of sorts if the Legislature fails to muster support for the full repeal of the program.
The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee has checked a major box in reaching agreement on state employee compensation. After being bogged down in procedural and philosophical differences the last several weeks, JFAC is authorizing up to $1.55 per hour increases based on merit for state agencies and higher education programs. A five percent pay increase is coming for community colleges and public-school employees and an eight percent pay hike is in the offing for Idaho State Police. This is an important step for JFAC as it can now turn its focus on setting revenue targets and state agency “enhancement” budgets. The budget writing committee may be a bit behind, but we see no reason to think it can’t get back on track in the coming weeks.
