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S 1453 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – RURAL HEALTH – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for rural health care for fiscal year 2027.

This law establishes a new Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund to manage federal grant money aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas. It creates a nine-member committee to oversee how these funds are spent, ensuring projects meet specific goals and produce long-term sustainability plans. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Welfare to hire additional staff and provides nearly $300 million in funding for the 2027 fiscal year to support indirect support services. Additionally, it requires the state to report on efforts to expand the job scope for physician assistants and dental hygienists as part of the broader rural health strategy.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates nearly $300M to fund rural health services and creates a new transformation fund, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates nearly $300M to rural health, creates a transformation fund, and hires staff to improve access.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Apr 1, 2026 Signed Apr 2, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Apr 1, 2026 · House Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

21–15
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 1, 2026
D Democratic6
5 Yea 1 Nay
83% Yea
R Republican30
16 Yea 14 Nay
53% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Suspended: Ayes 62 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 8, read in full as required – PASSED - 46-20-4AYES – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cannon(Cannon), Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert(Beazer), Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Hill(Hill), Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts(Batt), Tanner(14), Vander Woude,
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full – PASSED - 20-15-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, WintrowNAYS – Blaylock, Carlson, Foreman, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Semmelroth, Toews, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - CookTitle apvd - to House
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Finance
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.