March 11, 2011 Update

The target deadline for all state budgets to be set by the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC) is passed and most of the budgets have become bills for consideration by the full legislature.  This marks the start of the winding down of the legislative session.  Generally speaking, the legislature will Sine Die (adjourn) two to three weeks following the setting of the budgets.  However, there are still great concerns over the cutting of budgets in Education and Health and Welfare.  The contentious issues surrounding those cuts may delay the end of the session.

In the meantime, we are still watching House Bill 204 (http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0204Bookmark.htm).  It passed the House by a vote of 54-13.  It now goes to the Senate for consideration. This bill does not affect how our apprenticeship program is run, but it does clarify who has enforcement authority (the executive director of the State Board) and what types of advertising efforts are prohibited.

March 4, 2011 Update

On Thursday Governor Otter signed into law Senate Bill 1006, the Open Access to Work Act, and Senate Bill 1007, the Fairness in Contracting Act.  The signing is an important affirmation by the state of Idaho that a level playing field is paramount to a strong economy and job creation and retention.  The bills were sponsored in committee and on the floor by Senators John Goedde (SB1006) and Monty Pearce (SB1007) and Representative Frank Henderson.  Both bills passed both the House and Senate on an almost exclusive party line vote.

Earlier this week the State Board of Education reintroduced their bill relating to proprietary schools, House Bill 204 http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0204Bookmark.htm.  This bill does not affect how our apprenticeship program is run, but it does clarify who has enforcement authority (the executive director of the State Board) and what types of advertising efforts are prohibited.

February 25, 2011 Update

Senate Bills 1006 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1006.htm)and 1007 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1007.htm) are on the way to the Governor for his signature.  The Associated Builders and Contractors, who sponsored the bills, are requesting a signing ceremony with the Governor and we will likely be invited to attend.  Your attendance would be welcome and I will send out the details when I have them.

February 19, 2011 Update

Here’s the update for the week on the bills we are tracking:

• Senate Bills 1006 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1006.htm) and 1007 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1007.htm) are on the Third Reading Calendar in the House.  They could be up for consideration by the full House this week.  The bill’s sponsors are confident that they have the votes in the House to send the bills to Governor Otter.  It never hurts, however, to make sure they know where we stand.  You can email your representatives directly by going online to http://legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm.
• HB70 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0070.htm) primarily addresses the challenges apprentices are facing in renewing their licenses in this economy by eliminating annual renewal in favor of every five years and relaxes the schooling requirement.  It passed the House 63-3-4 and the Senate 34-0-1 and is on its way to the Governor.
• House Bill 73 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0073.htm) requires inspectors to have their Master’s license. (Status: House Business Committee/Stalled)
• The State Board of Education has proposed legislation regarding proprietary schools, House Bill 36 , that specifies specific enforcement option in relation to the registration of proprietary schools.  That bill is being held and a new one is supposed to be introduced through the House Education Committee.

February 12, 2011 Update

There is still time to send a note to the members of the House State Affairs Committee urging them to vote “yes” on two pieces of important legislation, Senate Bills 1006 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1006.htm) and 1007 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1007.htm).  The members of the House State Affairs Committee are Chair Thomas F. Loertscher, Vice Chair Brent J. Crane, Eric R. Anderson, John A. Stevenson, Max C. Black, Ken Andrus, Carlos Bilbao, Lynn M. Luker, Joe Palmer, Erik Simpson, Jim Guthrie, Frank N. Henderson, Janice K. McGeachin, Kathleen Sims, Pat Takasugi, Elaine Smith, Phylis K. King, Elfreda Higgins, Cherie Buckner-Webb. You can email your representatives directly by going online to http://legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm.

The unions are trying desperately to hang on to unfair market advantages in Idaho.  They are providing testimony and lobbying resources in the Idaho legislature that assert there is no reason to pass either piece of legislation.  However, the reality is that Senate Bill 1006, in prohibiting public entities from requiring project labor agreements (PLAs), and Senate Bill 1007 in prohibiting the use of job targeting funds, are good for Idaho’s economy.  Fair competition and a level playing field are integral to a healthy and vibrant economy and these bills promote just that.

If you are available to testify at the House State Affairs Committee hearing on the bills, please let me know.  The hearing will likely be this week.

Here’s the rest of the update for the week:

• Project labor agreements (S1006) and job targeting legislation(S1007)  Both pieces of legislation have been passed by the full Senate and assigned to the House State Affairs Committee. 
• HB70 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0070.htm) primarily addresses the challenges apprentices are facing in renewing their licenses in this economy by eliminating annual renewal in favor of every five years and relaxes the schooling requirement.  It passed the House 63-3-4 and has been assigned to the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee.
• The other House Bill 73 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0073.htm) requires inspectors to have their Master’s license. (Status: House Business Committee/Stalled)
• The State Board of Education has proposed legislation regarding proprietary schools, House Bill 36 , that specifies specific enforcement option in relation to the registration of proprietary schools.  You can view this bill at http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0036.htm.  (Status: Printed)