Week #8 Legislative Update - Rep. Josh Wheeler, District 35

Another bill I am sponsoring, HB542, moved off the house floor with unanimous support this week. People are enthusiastic about the work to make Idaho a more competitive destination for physicians. Also, thanks to Senator Jim Guthrie’s hard work, HB433 passed out of Senate Committee and is now headed to the Senate Floor. That puts us one step closer to state agencies hiring based on skills, rather than arbitrary degree requirements. 

The tempo of the work has changed again this week. There were many more bills introduced this week. I’ve heard we are on pace to have a record number of bills under consideration. Consequently, we’ve been on the House floor multiple times each day to keep pace with the amount of legislation still left to consider. It was great to see HB521 pass off the floor of the house with extremely strong support this week. I’m optimistic about the mechanism this bill is setting up to increase the amount of school facility funding that is sent directly to school districts, which should lower the demand for bonds on local property owners. 

In addition, some of the agency specific budgets are beginning to come to the house floor. Last Friday, an appropriations bill that fully funds the Idaho LAUNCH program passed out of JFAC. I remain an enthusiastic supporter of that program, especially as we see more Idaho kids connecting to post secondary CTE opportunities and careers via those grants. I am happy to hear the appropriations bill is moving forward. 

So glad to have reached my goal with the steps for school challenge as February came to an end. Happy to know a little bit of monetary support will now head to the great students in Teton School District. It is always helpful to hear from people back home, especially with input or concerns about specific legislation that is moving through the process.