Senate Bill 1316 Summary

• Authorizes prevailing parties in administrative proceedings involving licensing authorities and licensees to recover reasonable attorney's fees and investigative or defense costs.

• Defines "prevailing party" as one that prevails on the claims or allegations constituting the gravamen of the case as a whole, with assessments subject to judicial review.

• Prohibits non-payment of awarded costs or attorney's fees from being deemed a licensure violation if the licensee maintains a payment arrangement with the licensing authority.

• Applies provisions to numerous licensing boards including nursing, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, contractors, real estate, and occupational therapy boards, among others.

• Modifies Idaho Code sections 12-117, 36-2113, 54-713, 54-1406A, 54-1413, and approximately 20 other sections to implement cost and fee recovery across multiple occupational licensing statutes.