IdahoIdaho sets aside federal grant money for rural health programs
Idaho puts federal rural health grant money in a state fund, where a legislative committee oversees it and spending needs legislative approval.
What it does
The department gets $3,737,600 and 12 additional positions for fiscal year 2026, then $295,405,200 and 12 additional positions for fiscal year 2027.
Federal rural health grant money goes into a state fund. A legislative committee oversees the money, but spending requires legislative approval after the committee recommends it.
The department reports to legislative committees on efforts to advance physician assistant and dental hygienist reforms identified in Idaho's federal program proposal.
Argument forRegular progress reports and access to award records could help legislators track projects and see how grant money is being used.
Argument againstRequiring a committee recommendation and legislative approval before spending could slow rural health projects funded with federal grant money.
More detail
The law sets aside money from the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund for the Department of Health and Welfare and authorizes 12 additional positions in each fiscal year. The money and positions are for the department's Division of Indirect Support Services. The fiscal year 2026 amounts cover July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The fiscal year 2027 amounts cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and take effect July 1, 2026.
The law places federal rural health grant money in a state fund and assigns a legislative committee to oversee its use. The committee has nine members: four senators, four representatives, and one nonvoting member selected by the governor. The fund may hold money received through the federal rural health transformation grant, and money may be used only for federally approved purposes. Spending requires legislative approval after a committee recommendation. Sections 1 through 3 took effect upon passage and approval. The committee remains active until all fund money has been approved for spending and spent.
The law directs the Department of Health and Welfare to report on efforts to advance the identified reforms. The report concerns physician assistant and dental hygienist practice reforms identified in Idaho's federal rural health program proposal. The report must cover legislative or administrative actions taken during the prior year and any further steps needed to meet the commitments. Section 6 took effect July 1, 2026. The report covers actions taken during the prior year and further steps needed to meet the commitments.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 313 Effective: 04/10/2026 SECTION 1-3; 07/01/2026 SECTION 4-6Became Law
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 62 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 8, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2Reported delivered to Governor at 5 p.m. on 04/02/26To Governor
- Apr 2Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 2Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Apr 2Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Apr 2Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Apr 2Rules Suspended: Ayes 62 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 8, read in full as required – PASSED - 46-20-4AYES – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cannon(Cannon), Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert(Beazer), Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Hill(Hill), Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts(Batt), Tanner(14), Vander Woude, Veile, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cayler, Crane(13), Harris, Hawkins, Hostetler, Leavitt, Mendive, Price, Rasor, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner(13), Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Marmon, WeberFloor Sponsor - MillerTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 2Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 1Read First Time, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) – Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Apr 1Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full – PASSED - 20-15-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, WintrowNAYS – Blaylock, Carlson, Foreman, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Semmelroth, Toews, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - CookTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 1Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Apr 1Reported Printed; referred to Finance
- Apr 1Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
- Apr 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 313 Effective: 04/10/2026 SECTION 1-3; 07/01/2026 SECTION 4-6Became Law
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