At the beginning of each year, 105 elected representatives gather in Idaho’s Capitol building to pass new laws governing Idahoans’ daily lives. This gathering is called Idaho’s legislative session. The 2020 legislative session was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but lawmakers still managed to pass 232 laws (not including appropriations) — ranging from tiny technical corrections to brand new sections of Idaho Code.
Many of these laws have a built-in effective date of July 1, meaning they become enforceable starting just a few months after the governor approves them as the new law of the land. This year, one law that will go into effect July 1 will reduce the burden currently placed on many new Idaho workers.
Related: Idaho legislators passed a huge reform of occupational licensure into law.
The Idaho Legislature passed a huge occupational reform bill in early 2020. One major component of this bill was universal licensure. That’s the process by which Idaho licensing boards may grant an occupational license to an applicant who is licensed in another U.S. state or territory and meets most of the requirements currently imposed on someone seeking an Idaho license.
Though this new law may not be applicable to every new Idahoan, it offers relief to many incoming residents who have taken the time to build experience and skills in their area of expertise in another state, ensuring their effort will transfer into Idaho. Because of it, they won’t be forced to begin anew. In the words of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, “workers don’t lose their skills simply because they move.” Idaho finally recognizes that.
Related: Idaho has over 280 licensed occupations.
