Kevin Cook — The chair addresses Senator Cook before he introduces the bill.
Kevin Cook — Introduces himself and presents Senate Bill 1264.
Kevin Cook — The chair yields to Senator Cook for questions.
Kevin Cook — Senator Seidel addresses Senator Cook with a question about committee structure.
Kevin Cook — Explains that the proposed committee is already a joint House-Senate committee and says it was kept small for efficiency.
Kevin Cook — Responds that JFAC will appropriate the money and the committee will work with the department.
Kevin Cook — Explained that if the bill fails, the executive branch would likely decide where the money goes, while JFAC would still appropriate money.
Kevin Cook — Responded that there are many definitions of rural and that the bill uses a specific one.
Kevin Cook — Explained the bill's rural-district requirement for committee members.
Kevin Cook — Explained that the funding is separate from the appropriation process and described the expected amount and timing of the money.
Kevin Cook — Explained that the committee would provide legislative oversight and could claw back funds if needed.
Kevin Cook — Addressed by Senator Wintrow in her questions.
Kevin Cook — Briefly responded before explaining the relationship between the committee and JFAC.
Kevin Cook — Said he did not perceive tension and explained JFAC's role.
Kevin Cook — Explained the committee's oversight role, including clawing back funds if goals are not met.
Kevin Cook — Responded to Senator Wintrow's understanding and said he hoped the money would be spent quickly.
Kevin Cook — Senator Kevin Cook thanked the testifiers, agreed with Mr. Hand’s bottom-up approach, and explained that he relies on health care professionals and EMTs because legislators are not health care experts. The discussion then shifted to rural hospital issues, including reference to federal funding changes and Cook’s note that there are 21 rural hospitals.
Kevin Cook — Referenced for his work ethic and for proposing a project-manager-like process.
Kevin Cook — Referenced as the source of the explanation about JFAC appropriating the money.
James Woodward — Senator Lenny asked what would happen if the bill did not pass, specifically whether the fund and committee would still be created, and the later mention referred back to that same question in the discussion.
Ms. Sharon — Provided feedback on the rural definition language.
Ms. O'Connell — Provided feedback on the rural definition language.
Shawn Dygert — Asked for clarification on what happens to the money if the bill fails.
Shawn Dygert — Began a comment expanding the discussion to rural hospital and emergency services funding generally.
Shawn Dygert — Likely the intended reference behind 'Senator Shippey' in the transcript; mentioned as having said legislative oversight should exist.
Ms. Sharon / Director Sharon — Referenced as having said the money should be spent quickly.
Brian Whitlock — Introduced himself as president and CEO of the Idaho Hospital Association and began testimony.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Cook is referenced as having already explained much of the issue, with the speaker adding that Cook has covered many of the points they were going to make, particularly regarding the timeline and process.
Mr. Whitlock — Mr. Whitlock is identified during questioning by Senator Ziderfeld and then responds to a question from the chair and senator about sustaining investments over time.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Addressed by name in the response/question exchange.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld reiterated her long-standing opposition to the proposal, criticizing the governor’s executive-order process and the lack of legislative oversight over budget decisions. She argued that rural hospitals in her district could be harmed, referenced concerns about how COVID and ARPA funds were handled, and said hospitals should not be forced to close simply because the state declines the money. She emphasized that existing oversight through JFAC and the Germain committee should review such decisions and concluded by stating she would vote no.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Recorded as voting no; likely Senator Zuiderveld.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Named as the second to the motion; spelling appears to be a transcription error for Senator Zuiderveld.
Liz Woodruff — Liz Woodruff is introduced as the next witness and then begins her testimony by identifying herself as the director of the Idaho Academy for Family Physicians, noting the organization’s focus on rural physician workforce issues.
Fred Bernbaum — Fred Bernbaum is introduced as the next witness, appears by video, and is briefly checked for audio connection. He then testifies as a representative of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, urging opposition to Senate Bill 1264. In his remarks, he compares the program to ARPA and raises concerns about federal debt growth. The chair concludes by thanking him after his testimony.
Mark Hand — Mark Hand was introduced as the next witness and then testified in opposition to the bill as an individual, community member, consumer, and behavioral health provider serving rural Idaho. He argued that communities and clients are best positioned to identify their own needs and that a top-down approach would be harmful, using counseling analogies and examples from his rural practice and military background to stress self-determination, dignity, and independence. He said the bill would foster dependency, place the state in a parental role, and potentially channel resources into organizations or management rather than directly helping rural communities. After his testimony, senators briefly referenced and praised his bottom-up perspective.
Phil Hart — His earlier testimony was affirmed as the speaker agreed with his bottom-up approach to funding and community input.
Phil Hart — Cited as saying the committee received over 500 ideas from the public rather than legislators.
Phil Hart — Referenced as saying the committee received over 500 ideas from people seeking help.
Phil Hart — Referenced as saying hospitals are 'bleeding,' which the speaker agreed with.
Mr. Birnbaum — Referenced as a witness from Utah who offered testimony and raised points for consideration.
Daniel Foreman — Was directly addressed as the person being responded to.
Todd Lakey — Named as the seconding senator; likely intended to be Senator Lakey, but transcript says Laylock.
Carl Bjerke — The speaker refers to Senator Carl Bjerke/Bjurke while discussing that they have a possible fix for the debt, treating both mentions as part of the same ongoing point.
Brian Lenney — Brian Lenney made a series of related remarks criticizing the funding proposal and the idea that the legislature should prop up failing businesses. He responded to comments about legislative oversight by noting that JFAC already serves that role, questioned whether it is really the legislature’s job to support struggling businesses, and argued that if Idaho declines federal money, the funds simply remain available rather than disappearing, comparing that dynamic to other federal funding situations.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden is recorded as voting aye in the roll call.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Anthon is introduced as the next presenter for Senate Bill 1254, then takes the floor and identifies himself as Kelly Anthon, Senator from District 27, representing Cajum, Minidoka, and Oneida counties, to present the bill.
Dr. Matthews — Referenced as providing a letter supporting the claim that trained chiropractors cannot buy the listed items.
Dr. Rudkin — Referenced as providing a letter supporting the claim that trained chiropractors cannot buy the listed items.
Dr. Perkins — Referenced as having contacted an Idaho pharmacy and as possessing the training, degree, and license.