HB 175 Summary

• Creates a new Office of Administrative Hearings within the Department of Self-Governing Agencies, headed by a Chief Administrative Hearing Officer appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for a six-year term.

• Establishes comprehensive procedures for contested cases including requirements for notice, hearing procedures, evidence rules, discovery, default provisions, and standards for judicial review.

• Replaces previous ad-hoc hearing procedures with centralized hearing officers who conduct contested case proceedings for state agencies, with qualifications including Idaho bar membership and five years of legal practice.

• Provides for informal settlement of disputes by agreement or consent order before or after a contested case is filed, with dispositions becoming public records unless exempt.

• Creates an Advisory Council to the Office of Administrative Hearings consisting of nine members including legislative representatives, the attorney general, agency directors, and public members to advise on office operations and policies.