Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0564 – School Building Plan Review Timeline Requirements
Bill Summary
House Bill 564 amends Idaho Code Section 39-4113 to modify procedures for reviewing public school building plans. The bill makes three substantive changes to existing law: First, it removes the requirement that school districts must obtain plan approval before advertising for construction bids. Second, it establishes a mandatory 30-day deadline for the reviewing jurisdiction (either local government or the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) to complete the initial plan review after submission. Third, it standardizes legal terminology by replacing “must” and “can” with “shall” in two instances.
The bill maintains all existing requirements regarding which entities are eligible to perform school plan reviews, including certification requirements for plans examiners and the scope of reviews covering building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, accessibility, and energy conservation disciplines. The emergency clause makes the bill effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill imposes a 30-day deadline on government agencies reviewing public school building plans and allows school districts to begin the bidding process before final plan approval. These procedural changes streamline the school construction timeline without altering building safety standards, inspector qualifications, or code compliance requirements. The modifications are administrative in nature and do not substantively affect policy areas beyond construction permitting procedures.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill establishes a 30-day review timeline for school building plans and removes the requirement that plans be approved before advertising for bids. These procedural changes to administrative processes do not address fiscal responsibility, taxation, government spending, legislative authority, or constitutional governance issues covered by this metric.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill modifies internal government procedures for reviewing school construction plans. It does not affect citizen participation in government, election processes, voting rights, transparency requirements, or public access to decision-making.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the bill addresses public school building construction procedures, it does not affect educational content, curriculum, parental rights in education, school choice, teacher compensation, or educational philosophy. The changes are limited to building code compliance timelines and do not alter what or how students are taught.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill concerns school building plan review procedures and contains no provisions related to agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural education, water rights for agricultural use, or the family farm unit.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses building plan review timelines and procedures. It contains no provisions regarding water rights, water appropriation, reservoir management, inter-basin transfers, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill modifies administrative procedures for school construction plan reviews. It does not address natural resource management, environmental regulations, land use policy, federal land management, or wilderness designation.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill establishes timelines for school building plan reviews. While existing law requires energy conservation reviews (line 37), the bill's changes do not affect energy policy, energy independence, resource development, or hydroelectric power.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill concerns public school building plan review procedures and contains no provisions related to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, energy technology development, or INL operations.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill regulates government review procedures for public school construction projects. It does not address private property rights, regulatory takings, just compensation, or restrictions on private property development.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill modifies school building plan review procedures and contains no provisions regarding federal land ownership, state administration of lands, land transfers, or reducing federal land holdings in Idaho.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses building code compliance procedures for school construction. It contains no provisions related to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or Fish and Game Commission authority.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill establishes a 30-day review deadline and removes a pre-bidding approval requirement, which are procedural changes to government plan reviews. These modifications do not substantively address commerce, industry development, small business regulation, labor policy, taxation, or transportation infrastructure.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill concerns building plan review timelines for school construction. It does not address healthcare delivery, health insurance, patient rights, welfare programs, or conscience protections for healthcare providers.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill modifies administrative procedures for school building plan reviews. It does not address family values, traditional marriage, parental authority, abortion, children's welfare, or family structure.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill addresses school construction plan review procedures and contains no provisions affecting older Americans, senior services, retirement policies, or age-related employment issues.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill establishes timelines for school building plan reviews. It does not address gun rights, criminal justice, drug policy, incarceration, death penalty, or state sovereignty regarding immigration enforcement.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill concerns public school building plan review procedures and contains no provisions related to military strength, veterans' affairs, national defense, border security, or terrorism prevention.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill modifies school building plan review procedures and contains no provisions regarding judicial elections, judicial selection processes, or constitutional interpretation by courts.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill addresses building code compliance procedures for school construction. It does not affect religious freedom, free exercise of religion, public expression of faith, or conscience protections.