Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0512 – Surveyor Jurisprudence Exam Administration
Bill Summary
House Bill 512 amends Section 54-1208 of the Idaho Code to grant the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors explicit authority to determine and administer an open book jurisprudence exam for surveyor licensing. The amendment adds 29 words to existing law, specifically authorizing this examination requirement notwithstanding the provisions of Section 67-9409, Idaho Code.
The bill represents a minor technical modification to existing professional licensing procedures, comprising only 4.3% of the total statutory text. It includes an emergency clause declaring the act effective July 1, 2026, indicating legislative intent for timely implementation of this licensing examination requirement.
Overall Assessment
This bill makes a narrow, technical adjustment to professional licensing procedures for land surveyors in Idaho. The amendment addresses administrative examination requirements without impacting any of the evaluated policy areas. The change is procedural in nature, clarifying the Board’s authority to administer a specific type of licensing exam while explicitly overriding any conflicting provisions in other sections of Idaho Code.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill adds language requiring the Board to determine and administer an open book jurisprudence exam for surveyor licensing. This procedural specification for professional licensing does not address fiscal responsibility, taxation, government spending, or regulatory burden reduction as defined in this metric.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The added text in lines 38-40 addresses examination procedures for professional licensing. The bill contains no provisions relating to citizen participation in government, election procedures, voting rights, or government transparency.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the bill involves a professional examination, it does not address K-12 education, higher education policy, parental rights in education, school choice, curriculum standards, or any educational policy matters. The licensing exam is for professional credentialing, not educational system governance.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill addresses surveyor licensing examination requirements through the added language in Section 1. There is no text relating to agricultural industry, farming operations, ranching, agricultural education, or trade policies affecting agriculture.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The amendment specifies examination procedures for surveyor licensing. Although surveyors may work on water-related projects, the bill text contains no provisions addressing water rights, water management, prior appropriation doctrine, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill's added language in lines 38-40 concerns professional licensing procedures. There are no provisions relating to environmental policy, natural resource management, federal lands, wilderness areas, forest health, or environmental regulations.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill addresses surveyor licensing exam requirements. The text contains no provisions relating to energy independence, energy resource development, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, electrical rates, or energy policy.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill amends surveyor licensing requirements through Section 54-1208. There is no text relating to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology development, or INL operations.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The amendment addresses examination procedures for professional licensing. While surveyors work with property boundaries, the bill contains no language about property rights, takings, eminent domain, just compensation, or land use regulations.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill specifies Board authority to administer a jurisprudence exam for surveyors. There are no provisions relating to federal land management, state administration of lands, or reducing federal land ownership.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The added text in lines 38-40 addresses surveyor licensing examination requirements. The bill contains no provisions relating to wildlife resources, Fish and Game management, hunting, fishing, or predator management.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill specifies that the Board shall determine and administer an appropriate open book jurisprudence exam for surveyor licensing. This procedural requirement for professional licensing does not address broader economic policies, business regulation, labor issues, or economic development strategies.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill addresses surveyor licensing examination procedures through the amendment to Section 54-1208. There are no provisions relating to healthcare, health insurance, medical decisions, patient rights, or welfare programs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The amendment concerns professional licensing examination requirements for surveyors. The bill contains no text relating to family values, marriage, parental rights, abortion, children's welfare, or family-related policies.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill addresses surveyor licensing procedures through added language in Section 1. There are no provisions relating to older Americans, retirement, senior services, or policies affecting elderly citizens.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The amendment specifies examination requirements for surveyor licensing. The bill contains no provisions relating to gun rights, criminal justice, drug policy, incarceration, juvenile justice, or state sovereignty issues.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill addresses surveyor licensing examination procedures. There are no provisions relating to military affairs, veterans, national defense, border security, National Guard, or defense-related issues.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The amendment concerns professional licensing examination requirements for surveyors. The bill contains no text relating to judicial elections, judicial selection, constitutional interpretation, or judiciary-related policies.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill addresses surveyor licensing procedures through the added language in lines 38-40. There are no provisions relating to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, conscience clauses, or religious liberty protections.