Treg Bernt — A brief exchange occurs in which the speaker is addressed as 'Senator Taves' due to likely transcription error. The first mention introduces the turn, and the second continues the same discussion with a request to research the issue, indicating an ongoing question about the topic being discussed.
Treg Bernt — Treg Bernt is mentioned in two adjacent procedural exchanges: first in a request for Senator Harris to yield involving his name, and then as the senator who seconded a motion by Senator Anthon.
Treg Bernt — Recorded as voting aye; transcription says 'Burnt,' likely Vice Chair Bernt.
Treg Bernt — Treg Bernt opens with a personal framing about being a father and being surrounded by strong women, then says he does not claim to know women’s experiences and views the bill as code cleanup. He asks Dr. Mosley whether there is any indication among her, her friends, or other Idahoans of support for reviving or keeping the Women’s Commission, noting that it has been inactive for 17 years. Dr. Mosley then responds to his question.
Treg Bernt — Referenced as having noted that representation is broader than simply having women in the legislature.
Treg Bernt — Senator Taves explained that he consulted his wife and two adult daughters before speaking and said they were all in support of the motion. The sequence also notes that he seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1236.
Mark Harris — Moved to send Ryan Lanham's appointment to the floor with a recommendation of confirmation.
Mark Harris — Made the motion on Ryan Lanham's appointment.
Mark Harris — Named as the motion maker in the committee's recitation of the motion on RS 33249.
Mark Harris — Introduced RS 33252 and yielded time to Senator Burke.
Mark Harris — May carry RS 33252 on the floor.
Mark Harris — Presented Senate Bill 1247 and described it as an E-Verify bill.
Mark Harris — Explained the enforcement provisions and scope of Senate Bill 1247.
Mark Harris — Explained the 150-employee threshold as a way to avoid giving anyone a competitive advantage and noted that larger employers already have robust HR departments.
Mark Harris — Argued the bill balances support for E-Verify with concerns about burdens on small businesses.
Mark Harris — Said the bill is narrowly crafted to apply to government and government contractors, not purely private businesses.
Mark Harris — Closed by emphasizing protection of taxpayer funds and comparing the bill to a careful car break-in process.
Mark Harris — Continued the car analogy to describe the bill as something that should be implemented gradually.
Mark Harris — Finished his opening and invited questions.
Mark Harris — Responded that he was not sure how effective E-Verify is, though other states and the federal government use it.
Mark Harris — Said E-Verify is somewhat unknown in practice and that he would like to see how it works before requiring everyone to use it.
Mark Harris — Answered that dairies would not be affected unless they contract with the government or state government.
Mark Harris — Said he was not sure how widespread Utah's law is, but noted the 150-employee threshold is relevant.
Mark Harris — Repeated that he does not know how widespread Utah's law is, but said the 150-employee threshold matters.
Mark Harris — His opening remarks about taxpayer stewardship were referenced by Senator Shippy.
Mark Harris — Began responding to Senator Shippy's point, but the transcript cuts off mid-thought.
Mark Harris — Explained that the 150-employee threshold was chosen because larger employers already have HR capability and said he is hesitant to impose burdens on small businesses.
Mark Harris — Reiterated that private businesses would be left to choose whether to use E-Verify and that he is wary of imposing onerous requirements on small businesses.
Mark Harris — Responded that he was not sure whether there is protection for employers or employees in that situation.
Mark Harris — Continues explaining concerns about E-Verify, including identity theft risk and preferring to test it on government first before requiring small businesses to comply.
Mark Harris — Argues that government should use E-Verify first so the system can be tested and improved before imposing it on small businesses.
Mark Harris — Is asked to respond to the question about whether state E-Verify laws could pressure federal immigration reform.
Mark Harris — Says state-by-state patchwork immigration rules are difficult and that immigration reform should be handled by the federal government.
Mark Harris — Is told there are no more questions for him and that witnesses will testify next.
Mark Harris — Referenced as having said the bill codifies what is already in place.
Mark Harris — Was invited to close the testimony portion of the hearing.
Mark Harris — Explained that the bill goes beyond a prior executive order and includes local government and some private employers.
Mark Harris — Said the goal is compliance, not punishment, and asked the committee to send the bill to the floor.
Mark Harris — Repeated his request to send the bill to the floor.
Mark Harris — Was asked about the business-license issue.
Mark Harris — Said he was not sure whether Idaho has a state business license and would need to look into it.
Mark Harris — Called during the roll call; the vote recorded is not clearly captured in the transcript text.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris discussed the proposed elimination of the Women's Commission as part of a code cleanup bill. He argued that Idaho already has strong female leadership and that women do not need a government commission to be successful, comparing the issue to other commissions that have faced scrutiny. He said he would vote against the motion to eliminate the commission for now in order to give supporters a year to revive it, but indicated he would likely support removal later if no effort is made. He ultimately expressed support for sending the bill forward and described the commission as obsolete and no longer needed.
Ben Adams — Seconded the motion on Ryan Lanham's appointment.
Ben Adams — Seconded the motion on RS 33249.
Ben Adams — Seconded the motion on RS 33252.
Ben Adams — Senator Ben Adams questioned the witness about the effectiveness of E-Verify and whether it can determine if someone is in the country illegally. He then asked whether the bill would leave small businesses largely unaffected by focusing on government contractors, and followed up by asking if dairies would also be impacted, noting the importance of construction and dairy to the state’s economy.
Ben Adams — He says he has legitimate concerns about E-Verify's effectiveness and worries about burdening businesses.
Ben Adams — Recorded as voting aye.
Carl Burke — Carl Burke presented RS 33252, a joint memorial advocating greater Idaho control over elections and campaign financing. He explained that the memorial is grounded in federalism and the 10th Amendment, arguing that Idaho should be the arbiter of its own electoral processes. He concluded by stating that this is the core intent of the memorial and offered to stand for questions.