Legislative Session 2025 Week #5--Rep. Josh Wheeler

This was a week full of lively, important debate. We are up to roughly 230 bills being considered in the house. They are all in a variety of stages: in committee, on the floor, or headed toward the Senate. Even with a winter storm warning, and several inches of snow in the capital, the work continued. 

One bill of real concern for me is House Bill 138. This bill directs the Department of Health & Welfare to apply for and implement 11 different waivers to alter the Medicaid Expansion programs. The waivers range from work requirements, the enrollment caps, to restrictions on certain procedures, and other creative and potentially effective guardrails to control costs in the Medicaid Expansion program. Unfortunately, the bill also states that unless all 11 of these waivers (many of which require federal approval) are implemented by the middle of 2026, then the Medicaid Expansion Program will be repealed. The bill cedes our power as Idahoans to unelected federal bureaucrats and will leave our citizens in a worse situation. We will debate it on the floor next week, and I appreciate hearing from community members who have thoughts about that bill. 

I personally was privileged to present a couple new bills this week. One memorial recognizes the value of entrepreneurship, and especially the value for our youth to work, and to be engaged in capitalist efforts throughout the state. The memorial calls upon our cities to encourage youth entrepreneurship, to provide avenues for youth to run businesses without onerous fees, permits, and licensing requirements. That memorial will couple nicely with house bill 144, which provides a sales tax exemption to sellers who make under $5,000 annually, will provide a business friendly environment for Idaho’s young people. 

I also introduced a bill that seeks to encourage more preceptors in the medical education space. What this bill will do is provide continuing education credits to medical professionals who provide rotations for our medical students. I anticipate that this will be especially helpful to our rural medical communities. 

Budgets are beginning to be approved in the Joint Finance and Appropriations committee. I am encouraged to hear that, as it is some of the most important work we will do this session. I anticipate much conversation, debate, and hard work in the coming week. 

I am grateful for the confidence my fellow citizens have placed in me. Thanks for your ongoing support.