Steve Miller — Transitioned to the next section and summarized the camping-related rule changes.
Lauren Smeiser — Lauren Smeiser explained that under the Administrative Procedure Act, the committee cannot remove only part of a numerical or alphabetical designation or just a few words within it; instead, it must strike the entire designation, such as line I, in full.
Britt Raybould — Representative Britt Raybould asked whether striking line I in its entirety would interfere with the earlier language in the bill, specifically the provisions related to leashing and any enforcement that would be required.
Britt Raybould — Made a motion to approve docket 1-3-0-1-0-3-2501.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Pickett raised a question about page six of the rule, focusing on Item Q and whether its language about turning domestic livestock onto or allowing them to graze or trail across department lands could be read to conflict with Idaho open range laws. He clarified that his concern was with the rule itself, not merely the ZBR grammatical change, and argued that the rule might imply Fish and Game would not be bound by open range obligations when livestock drift onto department lands.
Dale Hawkins — Dale Hawkins is addressed as the chair ('Mr. Chairman' / 'Chairman Shepard') in the surrounding exchange, with no new substantive contribution from him in this segment.
James Petzke — James Petzke follows up to confirm that the proposed rule would not be construed to absolve Fish and Game from complying with Idaho’s open-range fence-out law. He asks for clarification that the rule would not exempt Fish and Game from those state-law obligations in any way.
James Petzke — Made the motion to approve the docket; likely a transcription error for Representative Petzke.
Trisha Hebden — Trisha Hebden, assistant chief of wildlife for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, explained how the department manages wildlife management areas: public use restrictions govern activities unless authorized, grazing is sometimes permitted on WMAs, and the department works closely with local producers to comply with open-range laws and fence areas where issues may arise.
Jerald Raymond — Representative Jerald Raymond briefly re-entered the discussion, asked to return to the bill’s camping definition and related limits, and then thanked the chair after the explanation was provided.
Ms. Worthington — Ms. Worthington introduced docket 130-116-2401 on trapping of wildlife and taking of fur-bearing animals, then explained several related rule changes. She described the addition of the word "natural" to the bait definition as it relates to liquid scent, noting that natural liquid scent may be placed within 30 feet of a trap set. She also discussed other trapping-related amendments, including changes affecting reimbursement and reporting for certain wildlife, and additional language developed with stakeholder groups that allows the director or regional supervisor to authorize trap sets on snow-covered routes and related areas such as bridges, culverts, and wildlife crossings.
Ms. Worthington — Presented the next docket on vendor rules.
Eric — An in-person testifier was identified as Eric.
Eric Weissath — Eric Weissath, Executive Director of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, testified that the association’s members are not opposed to the proposed rules and are neutral on them.
Jeff Abrams — Jeff Abrams is introduced as the next testifier and then begins his testimony, identifying himself as the Wildlife Program Associate for the Idaho Conservation League.
Jack Nelsen — Asked a general question about the effect of online sales versus brick-and-mortar vendors.
Mark Sauter — Representative Sauter is called on in connection with the minutes.
Ron Mendive — Chairman Ron Mendive is referenced in the motion to approve the minutes, then he opens the next procedural step by passing the gavel to the vice chairman for the rules portion.
Charlie Shepherd — Charlie Shepherd is identified and addressed as vice chairman as he takes over the meeting from Chairman Mendive and briefly introduces the presentation format to the committee.
Stephanie Mickelsen — She asks that the rules not be read word for word and prefers focusing on substantial changes.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Referenced as having warned that the upcoming issues could be contentious; likely Representative Mickelsen.
Steve Miller — He asks why the description was removed from the legal authority and scope section.
Steve Miller — Questioned the inconsistency between the leash language referring to a dog and person and the later reference to other domestic animals.
Steve Miller — Was directly addressed by Director Worthington in response to his question.
Steve Miller — Said the language should be consistent and asked for clarification.
Steve Miller — Questioned whether the dog-specific language and the broader domestic animal language were inconsistent.
Steve Miller — Argued that the broader domestic animal language should cover potential problems and asked Worthington to comment.
Steve Miller — Suggested the committee could strike language to resolve the inconsistency, but not add language.
Steve Miller — Proposed striking the broader domestic animal language to create consistency, then noted uncertainty about whether only part of the sentence could be struck.