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H 34

An act relating to workforce leadership in Vermont

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Bosch and 9 co-sponsors

Allows Idaho agencies to contract directly with four public universities under a competitive process, bypassing DOP for these deals, effective July 1, 2025.

Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
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Bill Summary · H 34

Summary of Idaho H 34 — Interagency Contracts with State Institutions of Higher Education

Overview

House Bill 34 authorizes a modification to how state agencies contract with public Idaho universities. It alters the existing procurement pathway by allowing agencies to obtain proposals and contract directly with Idaho state institutions of higher education (BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY, IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY, LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE, and THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO) under a competitive framework, rather than mandating a Division of Purchasing (DOP) formal procurement process. The bill was signed by the Governor on March 10, 2025 and becomes effective July 1, 2025 (with an emergency declaration making final enactment applicable promptly).

Key Provisions

  • Amends Idaho Code § 67-2332A to redefine interagency contracting with state higher education institutions.
  • General rule: Agencies may not enter into noncompetitive contracts with a state HEI unless authorized under § 67-9221; such contracts must be competitively solicited under Idaho’s procurement law (Chapter 92, Title 67).
  • Competitive process: Solicitations may be limited to competition among the state HEIs. If more than one HEI expresses interest, the agency must solicit quotes or proposals and award to the HEI that provides the best offer based on cost and other relevant criteria.
  • Surplus property: The new competitive framework does not apply to procurements of surplus property governed by other laws.
  • Definitions:
    • “Agency” aligns with § 67-9203(3).
    • “State institution of higher education” includes Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, and the University of Idaho.
  • Emergency clause: An emergency exists, so the act is effective on and after July 1, 2025.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Affected entities include Idaho state agencies engaging in contracts for goods, services, or other procurements with public Idaho universities.
  • Direct beneficiaries/participants are the four Idaho state HEIs listed in the bill.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative history shows rapid movement through committees, with final passage in March 2025.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025 (emergency provision supports timely implementation).
  • Fiscal note indicates no net impact on the General Fund or dedicated/federal funds, as agencies retain contracting capability but gain a more efficient, Idaho-focused process.

Potential Impact

  • Streamlined contracting with Idaho HEIs, reducing reliance on a formal DOP procurement pathway for these specific contracts.
  • Maintains a competitive process, now restricted to Idaho HEIs when appropriate, potentially improving speed and cost-effectiveness of state-agency projects with public universities.
  • Keeps existing rules for surplus-property procurements intact.

This bill clarifies and accelerates interagency contracting with Idaho’s public universities while preserving competitive standards and existing exemptions for surplus property.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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