Mark Harris — Senator Mark Harris was called on to present RS 33025 and identified himself as representing Idaho State Senate Legislative District 35.
Mark Harris — Moved to send Senate Bill 1222 to the Senate floor, then the chair paused to recognize testimony.
Paul Arrington — Testified on behalf of the Idaho Water Users Association and explained the drafting language for domestic use.
Paul Arrington — Testified for the Idaho Water Users Association and said the bill does not eliminate the need for an explanatory memo.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook repeatedly asked for clarification on the bill’s subdivision definition in subsection C, specifically whether it meant only lots larger than five acres and how that definition would apply to a large parcel divided into many smaller homes. The discussion stayed focused on understanding the subdivision language and its practical application.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook is referenced in a continuing explanation of the bill’s language: first in connection with his question about the definition of subdivision, and then again as the speaker clarifies the agricultural partition language he had pointed to.
Kevin Cook — Seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1222.
Kevin Cook — Asks Kenneth Long about the biggest challenge facing the Outfitter Guide Council.
Kevin Cook — Echoes praise for Mr. Ray and asks about the board's application process for river guides.
Kevin Cook — Asks about the process for river guide applications.
Kevin Cook — Asks Mr. Ray about challenges facing the board and the industry.
Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook was called on and then asked for clarification about why Rule 203.04 was deleted, specifically requesting more explanation of the 'overlap predator' language.
Kevin Cook — Seconded the motion.
Joe Palmer — Was later referenced as asking a question about the effect of the proposed amendment on the department memo.
Joe Palmer — Not present in this section as speaker, but referenced in later discussion about the memo and amendment.
Joe Palmer — Explained that the bill does not change domestic uses and that smaller-than-five-acre lots would still be covered.
Joe Palmer — Explained that the statute would apply even where lots are smaller than five acres and noted typical county lot sizes.
Joe Palmer — Asked whether the proposed amendment would eliminate the need for the 17-page memo or whether it would still be needed.
Joe Palmer — Addressed by Paul Arrington in response to the question about the memo.
Joe Palmer — Referenced as making or warranting a motion on the bill.
Bruce Smith — Bruce Smith was recognized to testify and then introduced himself as a Boise resident who is retired and spends his time fishing and working on his ranch.
Dale Hawkins — Senator Dale Raybould is referenced as a longtime authority on water issues, and her view is cited on the domestic well bill, noting that drilling a well can cost about $50 per foot and that the bill was worth four votes.
Mr. Smith — Senator Taylor asked whether Mr. Smith could answer the question.
Mr. Arrington — Senator Taylor and another member direct questions to Mr. Arrington, asking him to explain the issue the amendment addresses, how it works, and to give examples of the problem it is intended to fix.
the person who wrote it — The writer of the memo is described as very thorough.
Daniel Foreman — Thanked as a sponsor or co-sponsor of the legislation.
Daniel Foreman — Referenced as having discussed other changes in the bill.
Daniel Foreman — Referenced as having indicated the general rule about five lots.
Kenneth Long — Kenneth Long introduces himself as a gubernatorial appointee from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho and explains that he is appearing for the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. He describes his long Idaho background, his family outfitting business on the Payette River, and the swift water rescue training they provide for firefighters, river users, and others statewide. He also notes his competitive kayaking career on the U.S. Slalom Team and his role as an Olympic alternate. In response to questions, he begins discussing the biggest challenges facing the industry, emphasizing access issues and the pressures created by Idaho’s rapid growth and increased use of rivers and land, and later gives a brief response indicating he does not know whether there is a geographic requirement.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asks about the scope of the board’s oversight and whether the board’s candidates are geographically distributed across the state so that all regions are represented, including whether there is a requirement for representation from areas such as North Idaho, East Idaho, and Southwest Idaho.
Carl Ray — Carl Ray’s testimony for appointment to the Outfitter’s Licensing Board introduces him, notes that he lives in Boise and is moving to a ranch in Weiser, and then outlines his background: his age, long marriage, family, education, and prior work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He describes returning to agriculture, owning ranches in Montana and Idaho, and having extensive outdoor travel experience that often involved outfitters and guides. He concludes that this background, along with his service on the Idaho Fish and Game Advisory Committee, would make him an asset to the board.
Mr. Ray — Continues describing his current committee service and retirement status.
Mr. Ray — Responds appreciatively and speaks about servant leadership and civic responsibility.
Mr. Ray — Asked to explain the process overseen by the board for river guide applications.
Mr. Ray — Says he does not know the exact process yet, but expects an application review and possible public hearing.
Mr. Ray — Continues explaining that he cannot fully answer the prior process question yet.
Mr. Ray — Begins answering that the biggest challenge is likely tag allocation.
Mr. Ray — Identifies outfitter-guide tag allocation and public tag allocation as the biggest current challenge.
Mr. Ray — Says decisions on tag allocation should lead to a fair outcome and notes population growth as a challenge.
Mr. Ray — Committee thanks him and notes the confirmation vote will occur at the next committee meeting.
Mr. Ray — Thanks the committee for the opportunity to appear.
Mr. Ray — Identified as the public member on the board.
John Price — John Price is introduced and then identifies himself as the Bureau Chief for the Occupational Licensing Bureau and executive officer for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. He describes the board’s membership, including representatives from Idaho Fish and Game, the rafting industry, and the public, and then presents Docket No. 24-3501-2-250 on behalf of the board, explaining that the board is committed to keeping its rules current and responsive to public concerns through its zero-based regulation review process.
Heather Scott — His earlier question about board representation is being answered.
Mr. Long — Identified as representing the rafting industry on the board.
Mr. Price — Mr. Price walked the committee through several related rule revisions, including changes to Rule 205.04C, rewording Rule 259.02 for the Salmon River to better define boundaries, and correcting a typo about authorized power boats. He then asked the committee to approve the pending rule and answered questions about why certain language was deleted, explaining that the designated agent definition was already in statute and that the hot pursuit language was removed because it duplicated existing overlap predator agreement procedures and was not true hot pursuit. He further clarified a rounding change and explained the outfitter tag designation process: Idaho Fish and Game allocates tags, the board designates who receives them within the outfitting pool, the new rule prioritizes outfitters already designated in a hunt, and it does not affect resident tags. He also noted that federal investigations can lead to board discipline after the investigation concludes and that the board works closely with Idaho Fish and Game.
Dave Lent — Said he would take over the docket number as vice chair and asked for questions for the presenter.
Doug Okuniewicz — Doug Okuniewicz asked how the rounding process works before the rule takes effect, what happens to any tag under the prior process, and whether it would have gone to the general public. He then confirmed that the outfitters' tag pool would not change and followed up with questions about how this fits within federal regulations and the relationship between the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service and the state Department of Fish and Game, including whether there is jurisdictional overlap.
Mark Beatia / Badia — Introduced himself as an agriculture education teacher at American Falls High School and sponsor of the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team.
Lily Cardona — Introduced herself and the student team members.