Welcome to IPHA's first policy update of 2020! Here you will find key takeaways from January 6 - January 10 including the State of the State address, administrative rules review, and upcoming events.
State of the State Address
On Monday, January 6th, Governor Brad Little gave his State of State Address. When addressing the budget, Governor Little referenced the “spending reset” asked of last fall from all state entities, apart from public education. He also announced his plan to leverage 35 million dollars from the Tax Relief Fund for Idaho families in the form of grocery tax relief.
In the State of the State Address, Governor Little revealed his plan to establish a State Broadband Office, an effort to “unite the efforts taking place across the state to ensure all areas of Idaho are connected.” He expects this improvement in broadband will expand tele-health and pharmacy access in rural Idaho. He also is seeking legislative approval for ongoing General Funds for 25 new medical residents.
On opioid addiction, Governor Little is recommending the use of more than $30 million to equip physicians and pharmacists with skills necessary to identify and prevent opioid abuse.
Medicaid expansion is in its second year of implementation and Governor Little has announced his recommendation to fully fund the state’s match for the fiscal year 2021. He stated that offsets had been identified in the budgets for Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Department of Correction, the courts, and the Catastrophic Health Care Fund. He also proposed using the Millennium fund to help cover these funds. Governor Little expects the counties to have an offset in their budgets from services that the Medicaid Expansion will now be paying for, and he wants the counties to contribute those balances.
You can read Governor Little’s full State of the State Address in the Senate or House Journal. Click HERE.
Administrative Rules
Last session, the legislature did not reauthorize the Idaho Administrative Code (containing over 8,000 pages of administrative rules), which led to the requirement of state agencies to re-publish the rules as temporary and proposed. This allowed the rules to remain in effect after the expiration of July 1, 2019. Now, those rules must be approved by the legislature to become final.
The House Health and Welfare Committee has started reviewing omnibus rules from the occupational licensing boards including the Board of Pharmacy, Board of Nursing, Board of Medicine, and others. So far, the rules have not been controversial and have been approved unanimously. More controversial rules are scheduled for review at the end of the next couple weeks, so stay tuned!
The Senate had its doors closed for much of the week to spend time reviewing the assigned dockets and resumed review on Thursday, January 9. Held in committee Thursday was the rule IDAPA 16.02.08 “Vital Statistics” - This rule had changes to reduce restrictive language, remove obsolete language, update of chapter titles, and make minor corrections. This rule has been controversial, specifically over gender changes on birth certificates. You can view IDAPA 16.02.08 and other Pending Fee Rules HERE.
You can view pending and temporary 2020 Legislative Rules HERE.
Bill Tracker
Do you have any specific Bills you would like to be tracked throughout the session? If so, please reach out and I will gladly track them through this weekly update. You can also access the Idaho Legislature Bill Tracker HERE.
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Upcoming Events & Advocacy Days
Monday, January 13, 2020: NAMI Idaho Advocacy Day & Celebration for Honorable Kathi Garrett. Details HERE or see flyer below.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020: Fred Riggers Annual Disability Awareness Day with Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities (CID). Details HERE.
Saturday, January 18, 2020. Idaho Women’s March. Details HERE.
Monday, January 27, 2020: ACS CANS Idaho with American Cancer Society. Details HERE.
Monday, February 3, 2020: AARP’s Lobby Day. Details HERE.
Monday – Tuesday, February 10 & 11, 2020: 2020 Alzheimer’s Association’s Advocacy Day. Details & Registration HERE.
Saturday, February 15, 2020: 9th Annual Family Caregiver Conference. Details HERE.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020: 2nd Annual ICA Legislative Luncheon, 11:00-1:00, first floor of Capitol Rotunda
Here is a MAP OF FREE VISITOR PARKING at the Capitol.
