This week's substance use-related legislative updates in a nutshell:
  • One new substance use-related House Bill (H0083) was introduced involving supplemental appropriations to the Division of Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention for the delivery of substance abuse disorder treatment.
  • Previously introduced bills: SJR101 was adopted by the Senate and transmitted to the House. House Bills No. 38, 39, and 40 were approved by the House and transmitted to the Senate.
New Introduced Legislation
House Bill No. 83

Summary - Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2021.

Statement of Purpose - This is an FY 2021 supplemental appropriation bill for the Division of Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention within the Department of Health and Welfare. It provides $4,000,000.00 for delivery of substance abuse disorder treatment, including treatment for opioids and stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Status - H0083 was introduced and read for the first time on February 3, filed for a second reading on February 4, and read for the second time and filed for a third reading on February 5.

In last week's Legislative Update I missed...

House Bill No. 38

Summary - Amends existing law to provide for the prescribing of certain drugs via telehealth in compliance with federal law.

Statement of Purpose - This bill clarifies the requirements necessary for prescribing medications via telehealth, expanding beyond the current limitations of the act. This is in alignment with the allowances made during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Status - H0038 was introduced on January 25, referred to the Health & Welfare Committee on January 26, and reported out of Committee with a Do Pass Recommendation on February 1. It was placed in front of the House for final consideration on February 3 and PASSED (AYES 70, NAYS 0, ABSENT 0) and transmitted to the Senate. On February 4 it was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee.

Pertinent Legislation
Senate Bill No. 1041

Summary - Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding excessive increased prices during an emergency.

Statement of Purpose - This legislation specifies that the statute prohibiting excessive pricing during a declared emergency applies to exorbitant or excessive increased prices to the consumer rather than to the margin between wholesale and retail prices.

Status - S1041 was introduced on January 27, referred to the Commerce & Human Resources Committee on January 28, and reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation on February 3. It was read a second time and filed for a third reading on February 4.

Updates on SJR101, H0038, H0039, H0040
Senate Joint Resolution No. 101
  • February 3 - Placed before the Senate for final consideration. AYES 24, NAYS 11, ABSENT 0. With more than two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the President declared SJR 101 ADOPTED, the title was approved, and the resolution ordered transmitted to the House.
  • Full bill information can be found here, and the Senate Journal can be reviewed here.

House Bill No. 39
  • February 1 - Reported out of Health & Welfare Committee with Do Pass Recommendation. Filed for second reading.
  • February 2 - Read second time, filed for third reading.
  • February 3 - Read third time in full and placed before the House for final consideration. Bill PASSED (AYES 70, NAYS 0, ABSENT 0) and transmitted to the Senate.
  • February 4 - Introduced in the Senate, referred to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee.
  • Full bill information can be found here, and the House Journal can be reviewed here.

House Bill No. 40
  • February 1 - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation. Filed for second reading.
  • February 2 - Read second time, filed for third reading.
  • February 3 - Read third time in full and placed before the House for final consideration. Bill PASSED (AYES 70, NAYES 0, ABSENT 0) and transmitted to the Senate.
  • February 4 - Introduced to the Senate, referred to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee.
  • Full bill information can be found here, and the House Journal can be reviewed here.
Have feedback, thoughts, or questions? Email me at jessie.dexter@odp.idaho.gov
Sincerely,

Jessie Dexter
Governor's Office of Drug Policy
Idaho Office of Drug Policy | odp.idaho.gov