This bill amends Section 67-3531 of the Idaho Code to include the Office of Administrative Hearings in the annual cost estimation process for state budgeting. Specifically, it mandates that the Division of Financial Management, in conjunction with the Office of Administrative Hearings, prepare cost estimates for services provided by various state agencies, including the attorney general and the state treasurer. These estimates must be communicated to all state agencies by November 1 each year, allowing them to adjust their budget requests accordingly.

Additionally, the bill repeals Section 67-5285, which previously related to the Office of Administrative Hearings, and introduces a new Section 67-5285 that establishes a billing mechanism for state agencies to cover the costs associated with the Office of Administrative Hearings. This new section requires the Division of Financial Management to determine an annual billing amount for state agencies, which will be deposited into the indirect cost recovery fund and subsequently transferred to the state general fund by the state controller. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 67-3531, 67-5285