Ben Adams — Notified the committee he would not make it in this morning and was excused.
James Ruchti — James Ruchti moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 2026, and the motion was then identified on the record.
James Ruchti — Addressed by a speaker asking whether the students encountered any opposing argument that was especially persuasive during preparation.
James Ruchti — James Ruchti is addressed as the next speaker and begins a final brief question/comment, thanking the chair and indicating he has just a couple of last points to raise.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Brandon Shippy is first noted as the second on the motion to approve the minutes, then the chair introduces him as the next presenter on RS 32996. Shippy then takes the floor and presents RS 32996, explaining that it creates a new licensing procedure for established caterers.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy is introduced as the next senator to speak and then thanks the chairman and students, praising the students’ performance and noting that they handled the forum well.
Andy Creech — Identified himself as sheriff of Payette County and chair of the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission; testified on the rule change.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris is referenced in a sequence of committee procedural actions: he is identified as one of the senators assigned to the rule, noted as seconding the motion to approve the docket, then speaks to move the introduction of RS 32996, which is subsequently attributed to him as the maker of the motion.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris is identified as the next speaker and then thanks the chair before praising the students and asking why they chose their topic and whether they considered other topics.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Kelly Anthon is identified as the senator who seconded the motion on RS 32996.
Kelly Anthon — Addressed as 'Senator Anthon' during questions after the court adjourned.
Mr. Mark Badia — Introduced as the advisor of the American Falls FFA and invited to present.
Jim Guthrie — Thanked by the FFA advisor for hosting the group.
Jim Guthrie — Addressed as Mr. Chairman during the discussion.
Jim Guthrie — Addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' when granting permission for questions.
Lillianna Cardona — Introduces herself as the judge in the student presentation.
Ms. Brianna McLean — Named as part of the student team.
Edwin Fortinell — Named as part of the student team.
Lizzie Pofy — Named as part of the student team.
Noel — Named as part of the opposing side of the student team.
Gabe Taylor — Named as part of the opposing side of the student team.
Riley Thompson — Named as part of the opposing side of the student team.
Dr. Riley Thompson — Dr. Riley Thompson is called as the defense's first witness and identified as USDA Forest Service Deputy Director. He then testifies that the 2001 rule imposed uniform restrictions across 58 million acres without accounting for regional ecology, contributing to wildfire and access problems.
Councilwoman Lizzie Povey — Councilwoman Lizzie Povey is called as a prosecution witness and testifies that the policy shift harms the Nespeers people by threatening their identity, sacred lands, and consultation rights. She explains that the lands are central to the Nespeers, not merely geography. The exchange then moves into cross-examination, where she is challenged on whether it is fair to blame the policy change for issues tied to the Sibbonite Gold Projects review, but the discussion remains focused on the consequences of the repeal and the community’s loss of protections and timely notice.
Mr. Gabe Taylor — Testified for the defense as a timber and resource economist about the economic benefits of rescinding the roadless rule.
Dr. Edwin Ferdinnell — Called by the prosecution as a fire ecology and recreation expert to discuss the ecological and economic implications of the rescission.
Lori Hartog — The transcript appears to misrecognize 'Councilwoman Povey'; based on the expected member list, this may be a mistaken reference, but the content concerns tribal obligations and conservation economics.
Dr. Ferdinnell — Dr. Ferdinnell was cited in closing argument as supporting the idea that conservation economies outperform extraction over the long term, while also acknowledging that strategic roads can have value for safety. Together, these references were used to frame a broader policy argument balancing conservation benefits with limited infrastructure needs.
Dr. Thompson — Referenced in closing argument as having testified that systemic paralysis threatens wildlife corridors and surrounding communities.
Mr. Taylor — Referenced in closing argument as having shown that rural counties rely on predictable access and opportunity.
Treg Bernt — Senator Treg Bernt is introduced as the next speaker and then responds by thanking the chair and complimenting the students, saying he looks forward to the day and asking where their courage for public speaking comes from.