Panel approves repeal of glamour-photography license; sponsor cites low uptake

Representative Jeff Ehlers told the committee that House Bill 122 would remove the state requirement for a glamour-photography license and noted that photographers do not otherwise need a license in Idaho. “You do not need to be licensed to be a photographer in Idaho,” Representative Jeff Ehlers said.

Why it matters: supporters argued the license category is small and imposes unnecessary barriers where public-safety risk is limited. Ehlers said the glamour-photography license was created in 2018 and that two licensees currently hold that credential in Idaho.

Several members weighed public-safety trade-offs. Representative Birch said he supported the motion, distinguishing glamor photography from procedures that might pose health risks: “When you're dealing with a craft that involves applying what could be toxic chemicals to an exposed part of the brain, which is the eye, I think there's a need to make sure people know what they're doing. In this particular one though, I don't see where there's any kind of a potential health risk and so forth.”

No members of the public testified. Representative Barbieri moved to send House Bill 122 to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Limitations: committee discussion limited oversight evidence of complaints for this license type; sponsors and members noted other licensing complaints occurred for unrelated categories but not for glamour photography itself.