Chris Mathias — Representative Matthias first moved to approve the committee minutes from Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Later, he asked Representative Scott why the bill language did not simply add 'religious worship' to the statute.
Chris Mathias — Voted yes during the roll call.
Chris Mathias — Votes yes on the motion.
Mike Pohanka — Representative Pohanka was called to present RS 3-3101 and explained that it was a minor modification to a previously introduced reckless driving proposal, specifically adding the word "active" to the language. He noted that the committee had approved it previously and asked that it be moved forward. Representative Schurz then moved to introduce RS 3-3101.
Mike Pohanka — Voted yes during the roll call.
Heather Scott — Identified as the sponsor of RS 33096, concerning disturbing the peace.
Heather Scott — Was called on for questions and then made a motion to introduce RS 33096.
Heather Scott — Identified as the sponsor of the next hearing on H522.
Heather Scott — Presented House Bill 522 on unmanned aircraft systems.
Heather Scott — The speaker continues discussing the drone threat and the proposed response to it.
Heather Scott — Continues emphasizing the seriousness of the drone threat and the need for future legislative action.
Heather Scott — Representative Hill is referenced in the transition to questions.
Heather Scott — Representative Hill is questioned about the altitude limits for drone control.
Heather Scott — Called during the roll call vote.
Heather Scott — Representative Scott asks whether trafficking cases are coordinated with the Fusion Center and how the Attorney General fits into that relationship.
Heather Scott — Robert Gillis references Representative Skog's efforts in support of the bill; likely a reference to Representative Bruce Skaug, though the transcript says 'Skog'.
Heather Scott — Representative Scott thanked Mr. Gillis for his expertise and asked what typically happens to children born to trafficked women or from trafficking cases, seeking information about their outcomes and handling in other states.
Heather Scott — Heather Scott makes a motion to send House Bill 518 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, is referenced again as the motion is discussed, and then votes yes on the motion. The surrounding transcript also includes garbled name references that appear to be part of the same exchange.
Mr. Chad Page — Introduced as a witness from IDOC who will discuss threats and incursions in correctional-facility airspace.
Chris Bruce — The chair is referenced in the discussion of whether drones can be shot down.
Dirk Manley — Dirk Manley is introduced as a Boundy Creek Partners professional specializing in drone detection and interdiction, and the discussion continues with how legally operating drones can be tracked via transponder to identify the operator and enable arrest or interdiction.
Dirk Manley — Dirk Manley, president of Bounder Creek Partners, testified about the growing threat of drones to communities, critical infrastructure, businesses, and prisons. He argued that Idaho law enforcement currently lacks effective authority to respond, cited examples of drone incidents over crowded venues and in correctional settings, and explained how drones can be used for smuggling, communication, and other illicit activity. He described counter-UAS capabilities as already available and emphasized a layered approach involving detection by radar and passive systems, locating operators and launch sites, following standard operating procedures, and using defeat methods such as jamming or other kinetic and non-kinetic responses. He concluded by noting that drones can carry dangerous payloads, including explosives and chemicals.
Robert Beiswenger — A question is directed to Representative Beiswenger.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Barbara Ehardt asks about the practical limits of drone regulation, including how high normal drones can fly, whether the 400-foot limit is sufficient, and what other capabilities drones may have. She continues probing the implications of drone speed and airspace control, seeking clarification on how far and how fast drones can operate.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Ehardt asked Mr. Manley what the most important thing to understand is about drones and whether the threat is occurring elsewhere, then followed up by asking whether Idaho has been affected by drone-related prison contraband.
Barbara Ehardt — Called during the roll call vote and voted yes.
Chad Page — Chad Page, Chief of Institutions and Operations for the Idaho Department of Correction, testifies about the dangers drones pose to prisons. He explains that a drone-delivered cell phone was used to help plan and coordinate a serious escape incident, illustrating how contraband introduced from the air can undermine facility security. He adds that correctional facilities were designed to control ground-based threats, not aerial ones, underscoring the need to address drone-related risks.
Mr. Page — Mr. Page is referenced in connection with testimony about drone activity affecting prisons. The discussion notes that he had already spoken about the issue, and then builds on that by citing that there have been several known incidents related to drones in Idaho prisons.
Mr. Manley — Mr. Manley was questioned about the overall drone threat, what technology can be used to stop drones, and the cost and coverage of the system he described. The exchange concluded with the committee asking if there was anything further and thanking him for his testimony.
Don Hall — Representative Hall asked a series of related questions about drone technology, including how drones might be stopped or controlled, whether geofencing exists, and what payload capacity drones can carry. He also asked how easy it is for citizens to obtain drones with such capabilities, continuing a broader discussion of drone use and regulation.
Don Hall — Representative Don Hall comments that county prosecutors are overworked, overburdened, and under-resourced, but still do a fantastic job, and then votes yes on the motion.
Ron Mendive — Asked about the cost of counter-drone systems and whether one system could cover multiple correctional facilities.
Steve Milward — Steve Milward introduced himself, began testifying on the bill, and requested permission to use a visual aid. He then explained that he and his wife bought a drone in 2022 to support her fine art photography work and identified himself as being from Meridian, District 20.
Edward Hill — Identified as the sponsor of the bill and praised for his Navy pilot experience and service.
Edward Hill — Praised for his Navy service and used as the basis for concern about the bill.
Edward Hill — His concern about contraband drone drops was acknowledged as legitimate.
Edward Hill — Invited to come up and rebut the testimony in opposition.
Edward Hill — Invited to rebut the opposition testimony and later argued that safe airspace restrictions limit drone flight.
Edward Hill — A question/comment was directed to Representative Hall regarding drone prohibitions in national parks.
Edward Hill — Representative Hill is introduced and then speaks on trafficking, describing it as a difficult, transient, and heinous crime that is hard to define and prosecute. He supports the Attorney General serving as the coordinating hub for multi-jurisdiction trafficking cases and suggests resources may be needed. He then wraps up his comment/question and invites a response, followed by a brief reference to the prior testimony and a final yes vote on the motion.
Mr. Millard — The chair asked whether there were questions for him after his testimony.
Dori Healey — Representative Eifford asked whether the media has free access in and out of prisons and, if not, why. The response agreed with the point and continued the discussion of access to secure facilities.
Dori Healey — Asked about liability if cases are referred to the Attorney General's office without sufficient resources.
Dori Healey — Nye responded to Representative Scott's question about how the office would handle referrals without resources.
Dori Healey — Asked whether the issue is cross-jurisdictional complexity or prosecutors not doing their job.
Dori Healey — Nye answered Representative Scott's question directly.
Dori Healey — Nye said the office had been clear with Representative Scott about the need for additional resources.
Dori Healey — The transcript appears to misrender 'Representative Ehart' as 'Representative Ehart' and 'Representative Hofstettler' as 'Representative Hofstettler'; likely intended to refer to members on the committee, but exact IDs are uncertain.
Mr. Moeller — Thanked for testifying, likely referring to the prior witness.
Jordan Redman — Representative Hill is referenced in connection with House Bill 522 as the sponsor during the motion on the bill, and later is recorded as voting yes in the roll call.