Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little joined House and Senate Majority Leadership in a joint press conference today to announce the state will pursue further cuts to the Idaho Administrative Code this year.

Since Governor Little took office in January, his administration worked with the Legislature to cut and simplify 40 percent of Idaho’s administrative rules.

Governor Little and legislative leaders will continue to work together to further reduce regulatory burdens on Idaho citizens and businesses. The state’s licensing boards and commissions will work to implement 101 rule change recommendations resulting from the Licensing Freedom Act of 2017, which aimed to streamline and limit Idaho’s occupational licensing laws. Then-Lt. Governor Little created the Licensing Freedom Act of 2017 by executive order.

Ultimately, the state may achieve a total reduction of 55 to 60 percent of all state regulations between the start and end of 2019.

“Conservative principles work, and Idahoans should be proud of the legislators they have sent to the Statehouse to do the work of the people,” Governor Little said. “I appreciate the support of the Legislature and the agencies within my administration for helping us achieve the largest regulatory cuts in state history.”

“Other states are paying attention to what’s happening in Idaho,” Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill said. “Idaho is leading the rest of the country yet again. We are showing other states and the federal government that meaningful regulatory reform can happen when elected leaders in the executive and legislative branches can work together in an open, transparent process and drive change.”

“The rule reauthorization process that started in the spring expedited the good work Governor Little started in January, when more than 20 legislators joined him at the signing of two executive orders aimed at scaling back Idaho’s Administrative Code,” House Speaker Scott Bedke said. “Our efforts to closely examine our laws started collaboratively and will continue collaboratively. Together we created a good process, and the Legislature is committed to continuing to work with Governor Little and his administration to make it a cyclical practice.” 

Hearings will be held on proposed changes, and the public will have the opportunity to provide written and oral comments on any potential licensing changes.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison, Press Secretary

208-943-1686 or Marissa.Morrison@gov.idaho.gov