Mark Harris — Senator Harris asks Ellery Tucker Williams whether the language could be adjusted to ease outfitters’ concerns.
Mark Harris — Presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and began explaining its background.
Mark Harris — Explained why a concurrent resolution was used instead of a bill.
Mark Harris — Was asked whether all districts were involved and whether they had input in the process.
Mark Harris — Asked whether there were any final remarks.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden seconded the motion to approve the January 19, 2026 minutes.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman was asked to state his name and who he represents for the record.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman introduced himself as Senator from District 6 and presented the bill.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman invited questions after explaining the purpose of the hearing.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman answered that the current comment period is 14 to 16 days and explained why a longer window was requested.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman was asked whether a workaround exists to accommodate outfitters.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman said he was acting as a broker of information and wanted to help all parties.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman was asked to clarify how the 30-day period would interact with existing commission and scoping meetings.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman explained that the 30-day window would not compress the broader season-setting process into one period.
Daniel Foreman — Addressed as the bill presenter and invited to make closing comments later.
Daniel Foreman — Ellery Tucker Williams says she has been in conversation with Senator Foreman about this legislation.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Harris references Senator Cole’s point about outfitters’ concerns.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman is invited to give closing remarks.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman says the bill could help, but only if it does not negatively affect outfitters’ businesses.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman says he is considering holding the bill in committee so stakeholders can continue talking.
Daniel Foreman — Senator Foreman asks the chair to hold the bill for now, subject to the chair’s call.
Daniel Foreman — The chair thanks Senator Foreman after the motion discussion.
Eric Weisseth — Eric Weisseth is introduced and identifies himself as the executive director of the Idaho Outfitter and Guides Association. He then testifies in opposition to the legislation and concludes by offering to answer questions.
Jeff Bitten — Introduced as the next witness to testify.
Jeff Bidden — Identified himself as president of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and a longtime outfitter in Stanley, Idaho.
Ellery Tucker Williams — Introduces herself as legislative and community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and explains the department does not take positions on bills.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor seconds the motion to hold Senate Bill 1238.
Tori O'Neill — Tori O'Neill is introduced as a virtual witness, confirms she is present despite technical video difficulties, and then identifies herself as president of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts and a publicly elected supervisor on her local board in Custer District.
Ms. O'Neill / Tori O'Neill — The committee thanked Ms. O'Neill for her testimony after asking if there were any questions.
Matthew Weaver / Matt Weaver — Introduced himself as Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources and acting administrator of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
Matt Weaver — Said he was not taking a position on the bill and described the stakeholder process leading to the resolution.
Ms. O'Neill — Ms. O'Neill was praised twice for clearly and eloquently explaining the process, with speakers noting that she stated it better than others could and captured the reasons and process effectively.
Kevin Cook — Asked whether the merger would dilute focus on water priorities.
Kevin Cook — Weaver answered Cook's question by saying the merger should not reduce focus on water.
Kevin Cook — Moved to send SCR 115 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook asked for clarification about molybdenum’s use in nuclear applications, and a follow-up question was raised about how much of the world’s molybdenum production the mine represents, keeping the discussion focused on the mineral’s uses and significance.
Dave Lent — Seconded the motion on SCR 115.
Dave Lent — Senator Hart asked whether the permitting process was scientific or political and asked about working with agencies.
Don Weeks — Don Weeks is introduced as the presenter for Thompson Creek mine operations and then takes the floor, identifying himself as the General Manager of Thompson Creek Mining Company, a junior company of Centerra Gold Incorporated.
Ben Davenport — Introduced himself as representing the Idaho Mining Association and thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak.
Mr. Davenport / Ben Davenport — The chair asked if there were questions for Mr. Davenport after his remarks.
Matthew Zito — Introduced as the next presenter from Liberty Gold.
Matthew Zietlo — Identified himself as Director of Regulatory Affairs for Liberty Gold and introduced the Black Pine Mine project and permitting status.
Ben Adams — Referenced as having previously discussed benefits earlier in the meeting.
McKinsey Lion — McKinsey Lion, Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Perpetua Resources, testified about the Stibnite Gold Project and its strategic importance to U.S. mineral security. He explained that the project would produce antimony trisulfide, a critical material for energetics and defense, and described downstream uses of antimony in alloys, fire retardants, and glass clarifiers. He emphasized that the project would improve water quality, reopen fish habitat, and restore wetlands while creating about 550 jobs. Lion outlined the long development history since 2010, including $400 million spent, nearly 15 years of planning, $20 million in cleanup work, $80 million in Department of Defense funding, over $160 million in financial assurances, more than $800 million in private capital, and early construction mobilization. He said full construction is expected to begin soon, with about three years of construction and production likely in 2029, and noted collaboration with Idaho National Lab and visits from state and federal officials. He concluded by framing the project as more than a gold mine, but as a contribution to national strategic independence and resilience.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asked a series of related questions about the mining project, seeking clarification on property ownership, whether Idaho owns any of the mine property, how involved the company is with DEQ permitting for the private land portion of the project, and whether minerals beyond gold and antimony would be recovered.
Ms. McKinsey / Ms. Lyons — Responded that about 90% of the mineral resource is on privately held land held by the company.
Ms. Lyons — Explained that most of the mineral resource is on privately held land, with the rest on Forest Service land, and noted transmission line upgrades.
Ms. Lyon — Said the project also has silver as a byproduct and is currently permitted only for gold, antimony, and silver.
Emily Hendrickson — Emily Hendrickson, manager of external affairs for Integra Resources, introduced herself and testified about the Delamar project. She explained that Integra acquired Delamar in late 2017 and has since invested about $160 million in the project over roughly eight years, describing it as part of the company’s broader portfolio and development efforts.