Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1234 – Lewis-Clark State College to University Name Change
Bill Summary
This bill changes the name of Lewis-Clark State College to Lewis-Clark State University throughout Idaho Code. The legislation amends approximately 24 sections of state law to reflect this name change, updating references in statutes governing education, retirement programs, procurement, human resources, and various administrative functions. Section 1 explicitly declares legislative intent that this is solely a name change to recognize the institution as the four-year university it has become, with no alteration to its mission, academic classification, or operational costs.
The bill systematically replaces “Lewis-Clark State College” with “Lewis-Clark State University” and makes technical corrections such as standardizing capitalization throughout affected code sections. The changes span multiple titles of Idaho Code, including provisions related to court report distribution, the state board of education’s governance structure, optional retirement programs, higher education funding mechanisms, and definitions in various administrative chapters. The bill includes an emergency clause for immediate effect upon passage and approval.
Overall Assessment
This bill represents a purely administrative name change with no substantive policy implications. The legislative intent statement in Section 1 explicitly confirms that the institution will maintain its existing mission as a teaching-focused institution with no new costs or programmatic changes. All amendments consist of replacing “college” with “university” and making technical corrections to capitalization and formatting. The bill does not alter any educational policies, funding formulas, governance structures, or operational procedures beyond updating nomenclature to reflect the institution’s current status as a four-year university.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
Section 1 explicitly states "there are no new ongoing costs associated with the name change," confirming no fiscal impact. The bill makes no changes to taxation, government spending, budgetary processes, or administrative structures beyond updating an institution's name throughout existing statutes.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to elections, voting procedures, primary systems, citizen participation, or political discourse. All amendments are limited to replacing "Lewis-Clark State College" with "Lewis-Clark State University" in existing code sections.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
Section 1 explicitly declares that "Nothing in this act shall be interpreted to imply a change in mission or academic classification of Lewis-Clark State University" and confirms the institution "will remain a teaching-focused institution." The bill makes no changes to educational standards, curriculum, school choice, parental rights, or any substantive education policy.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill addresses only the renaming of an educational institution and contains no provisions related to agriculture, farming, ranching, agricultural education, markets, or any agricultural policy matters.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to water rights, water management, prior appropriation doctrine, inter-basin transfers, dams, reservoirs, or any water policy issues.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill makes no changes to natural resource management, environmental regulations, wilderness designations, forest management, or any environmental policy. All amendments are limited to updating an institution's name in existing statutes.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to energy policy, energy independence, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, fossil fuels, or utility regulation.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill makes no reference to Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology development, or any INL-related matters.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, property development, or land use regulations.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill makes no changes to state or federal land management, land ownership, sovereignty over lands, or any land policy issues.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or Idaho Fish and Game operations.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill amends statutes touching on economic matters, Section 1 confirms no new costs result from the name change. The bill makes no substantive changes to commerce, business regulation, labor policy, taxation, or economic development programs.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to healthcare, health insurance, Medicaid, welfare programs, or conscience protections for healthcare providers.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill makes no changes to family policy, marriage definitions, parental rights, abortion regulations, or any matters related to family values.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to older Americans, retirement programs, senior services, or policies affecting elderly citizens.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill makes no changes to gun rights, criminal justice, drug policy, incarceration, law enforcement, or judicial procedures.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to national defense, military affairs, veterans' benefits, border security, or National Guard operations.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill makes no changes to judicial selection, judicial elections, constitutional interpretation, or the structure of Idaho's court system.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill contains no provisions related to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, religious exemptions, or faith-based matters. Section 33-3113 maintains existing prohibition on sectarian tests but makes no substantive changes.