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.