Idaho governor has unfettered chance to cut state rules

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idahoans can trust him to do the right thing, Republican Gov Brad Little said, after the Legislature handed him sweeping authority to eliminate thousands of state-approved rules without public participation or lawmaker oversight.

"I'm not looking at this as an opportunity to do mischief," Little said during a public appearance Tuesday. "I do not want to exacerbate this thing. This was not our deal. We did not do this."

The Legislative session concluded last week amid open acrimony, with the House and Senate killing legislation important to the other chamber. Among the carnage was a bill approving 8,200 pages containing 736 chapters of rules and regulations that touch on just about every aspect of daily life in Idaho.

That means all those rules expire on July 1 — except the ones Little chooses to keep on a temporary basis until the Legislature can consider them early next year.

"This is an unusual situation," said Jaclyn Kettler, a Boise State University political scientist. "It does open up a pretty big opportunity for Gov. Little."

Little has made clear his desire to cut regulations in Idaho, issuing an executive order in January requiring state agencies cut two rules for every new one.

The rules he's now reviewing include such things as protecting consumers, homeowners, the environment and school children. They range from hunting and fishing licenses and seasons to licensing for health care professionals and construction contractors. They are mostly products of the state's obscure but important negotiated rulemaking process that involves public participation.

Alex Adams, administrator of the Idaho Division of Financial Management — or Little's budget chief — has the job of going through the 8,200 pages.

He said among the rules he intends...