Senate Bill 1363 Summary

• Creates the Office of Administrative Hearings within the Department of Self-Governing Agencies to conduct contested case proceedings for state agencies, effective January 1, 2021 (January 1, 2022 for Department of Health and Welfare cases).

• Establishes position of Chief Administrative Hearing Officer appointed by governor and confirmed by senate for four-year terms, requiring five years of legal practice or judicial experience and active Idaho bar membership.

• Designates hearing officers and staff of the Office of Administrative Hearings as nonclassified state employees exempt from standard civil service requirements.

• Creates Advisory Council to the Office of Administrative Hearings with ten members including legislators, attorney general, agency directors, and public members; council expires September 1, 2025.

• Removes right to disqualify hearing officers without cause when decisions must be rendered within fourteen weeks or when presiding officer is the chief administrative hearing officer or officers appointed by that officer.