Ben Adams — Said to have noted that the legislature adopted a different revenue number than the economists did.
Ben Adams — Asked about options for balancing the budget, including triggers on tax legislation and eliminating the voucher bill.
Ben Adams — Referenced as having raised concerns earlier about the certainty of revenue forecasts.
James Ruchti — Addressed by the speaker in the discussion of revenue options and legislative triggers.
James Ruchti — Senator Ruchti moved to approve Docket Number 24-2201-2501, and the docket was recorded as moved by him and seconded by Senator Ward-Engelking for approval.
James Ruchti — Likely the senator making the motion; the transcript mishears the name as 'Senator Byrne' and 'Senator Burns.'
Jim Guthrie — Senator Guthrie expressed frustration that the committee had ignored part of the equation and failed to take ownership of tax cuts and the resulting structural imbalance. The chair acknowledged his comment and invited further questions, and another member then echoed Guthrie’s point by saying they wanted to “ditto” the good senator’s remarks.
Jim Guthrie — Asked whether reserve levels and cash balances affect the state's bond rating.
Jim Guthrie — The committee continues questioning after his earlier inquiry.
Jim Guthrie — The transcript appears to misstate 'Senator Rectady'; likely referring to a senator asking about structural balance, but the exact member is uncertain.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Guthrie asks Representative Weber why his appointment was not sent for confirmation last year, and Weber responds that he is not sure what happened.
Mr. Bybee — Responded that he could show a different chart using a 22-year history.
Keith — Asked to explain what spending levels would look like after adjusting for inflation and population growth.
Phil Hart — Referenced as part of the historical context of bond rating discussions? No, not mentioned in this section.
Todd Lakey — Senator Todd Lakey asked Mr. Bybee whether there is a per-capita metric for estimating how much additional services cost per person, then followed up by asking about Medicaid expansion’s role in the general fund growth chart.
Todd Lakey — The speaker refers to Senator Todd Lakey as a colleague and friend who serves on the board with him.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey is called on next for a question.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey asks what happens if a board cannot pay its expenses.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey makes the motion to approve the docket.
Todd Lakey — Explained his support for the motion, saying the ten-dollar increase was small and that if the board is not paying its own expenses, someone else may be.
Todd Lakey — Called on after the presentation for questions.
Todd Lakey — Asked who belongs to the Idaho liquefied petroleum gas group and who typically pays the dues.
Todd Lakey — Asked for the dollar amount of the negative 8% cash balance and how the deficit occurred.
Todd Lakey — Asked whether the licensing system itself is more expensive or whether the issue is consolidation.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey is involved in a continuous exchange with Mr. Price and the chairman, with the transcript repeatedly mishearing his name as variations of 'Senator Burnt/Burton.' He thanks the chairman and Mr. Price, acknowledges the witness, and continues the same line of questioning or remarks without any meaningful topic change.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking questioned whether the $40 million catastrophic fund would be larger in real, inflation-adjusted dollars and also asked whether indigent funds were eliminated as a result of Medicaid expansion.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Identified as the second on the motion.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Seconded the motion to approve the docket.
Edward Hill — His point was cited that the state is structurally not balanced.
Edward Hill — Referenced as the chair being asked for questions/comments.
Edward Hill — Appears to be the senator being addressed with a question about structural imbalance.
Edward Hill — Addressed in the exchange about the cause of structural imbalance and thanked at the end.
Edward Hill — Thanked for being present and for his work for the state.
Edward Hill — Thanked for being present and for the work done for the state.
Edward Hill — Thanked for being present and for the work done for the state.
Edward Hill — Introduced the minutes approval item.
Edward Hill — Moved to approve the minutes of January 27, 2026.
Edward Hill — Initially misspoke, then restated the motion regarding Brett/Brent Thomas.
Edward Hill — Identified as the maker of the motion to confirm Brett Thomas.
Edward Hill — Seconded the motion.
Edward Hill — Moved to send Erica Malman's appointment onward for confirmation.
Edward Hill — Made the motion to send Erica Malman's appointment to the Senate.
Edward Hill — Seconded the motion on Erica Malman's appointment.
Brett Thomas — The committee considered Brett Thomas’s gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, moved the appointment, and then approved it, sending the nomination to the Senate with a recommendation for confirmation.
Erica Malman — Erica Malman is identified as the subject of a gubernatorial appointment, with the correction/clarification that the appointment is to the Idaho Personnel Commission.
Christy Zito — Christy Zito opens the discussion on the motion and moves to send Dr. Karen Cabell’s gubernatorial appointment to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the Senate floor for confirmation, restating that the appointment be advanced with a recommendation that it be confirmed.
Kevin Cook — A senator is addressed in the procedural exchange, but the transcript does not clearly identify the speaker by name here.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Nichols is named as the seconder in the motion, but the transcript likely misidentifies the senator; the text is preserved as spoken.
John Woude — Representative John Weber is introduced as the gubernatorial appointee to the Idaho State Insurance Fund Board. Weber identifies himself as representing District 34 in Madison County and asks to be reappointed. A committee member asks why his appointment was not previously sent for confirmation, and Weber says he is not sure but believes it may have been sent and notes that he is present now. The committee thanks him and says it will likely vote on his appointment at the next meeting.
James Woodward — The committee transitions from the Cabell vote to a new gubernatorial appointment.