Rating: +1

Bill Summary:
H0107 expands and clarifies Idaho’s Occupational Licensing Reform Act, enacting new statutory protections under Section 67-9407 to support universal occupational and professional licensing practice authority. The bill:

• Prohibits new licensing requirements from being created by administrative rule or policy without explicit statutory authorization.
• Requires that all licensure fees be established in statute or rule by July 1, 2026.
• Repeals outdated reporting requirements and replaces them with a more focused reporting mandate.
• Grants licensed professionals the authority to perform acts consistent with their education, training, and experience—so long as those acts are not expressly prohibited by Idaho Code and are within the accepted standard of care.
• Requires licensing boards under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) to revise any conflicting rules and provide a compliance report to the Legislature by January 1, 2026.

The bill also authorizes disciplinary action if professionals fail to meet established standards of care and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation on July 1, 2025.

Reason for Rating:
H0107 directly supports the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s commitments to limited government, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and promoting economic freedom. It curbs agency overreach by ensuring licensing mandates originate from the Legislature, not unelected regulators. The bill also fosters workforce mobility and innovation by broadening professional scope of practice within safe, reasonable boundaries. This is a clear advancement of free-market principles, individual liberty, and government accountability—all core tenets of the Idaho GOP platform.