Brooke Green — The committee moves to the next item, RS 33209, associated with Representative Green.
Brooke Green — Introduced RS 33209 and identified herself as representing District 18 in Southeast Boise.
Brooke Green — Explained the two-part structure of RS 33209 and described the cleanup nature of the bill.
Brooke Green — Responded to Representative Harris by pointing to line 24 on page one and explaining the appropriation language.
Brooke Green — Asked to return to her chair after answering questions.
Brooke Green — Asked about whether back fees could be collected for multiple years.
Mark Harris — Representative Harris asked where the bill places the state highway account percentage return and followed up by questioning the split in the highway account provisions. He then compared the bill to another legislator’s bill and asked whether the fee or related provision could be added there instead of advancing separate bills.
Mark Harris — Representative Harris expressed lingering concerns rooted in prior digital ID debates, saying he still struggles with the issue but would vote in favor while reserving the right to change his vote on the floor. A later speaker then echoed Harris's comments, reinforcing the same reservations and theme.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Representative Stephanie Mickelson introduced RS 33409 and explained that it concerns vehicle registration, including a proposed $75 fine for failing to register a vehicle on time. During questions, she addressed how the proposal relates to another bill and clarified that the $75 fee would be charged only once, though back time may still be collected.
James Petzke — Representative Petzke is referenced as the sponsor of a related bill, then speaks to move the introduction of RS 33409.
Brandon Mitchell — Representative Brandon Mitchell introduced and presented House Bill 532, explaining that it would create uniform identity verification standards and improve efficiency. He then asked the committee to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and noted that he would carry the bill on the floor.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Shepard moved to send House Bill 532 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, then followed up with questions and comments about whether the bill permits both paper and digital formats. Shepard asked whether people can already show insurance on their phones, argued that if insurance can be displayed digitally then registration should also be allowed on the same device, and questioned how officers would determine whether registration is current when running a plate.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Shepherd argued against rejecting the bill, saying the state already uses similar digital systems for insurance and that law enforcement already checks plates before approaching vehicles at night. He also referenced prior digital ID concerns about phones at night and pointed to Fish and Game’s use of phones for steelhead tags, salmon tags, and fishing and hunting licenses as evidence that the proposal is consistent with existing practice. The exchange ended with a brief thank-you to Shepherd after support for the motion.
Mike Moyle — Chairman Palmer is acknowledged as the presiding chair during the motion and then addressed again as the chair as the meeting transitions to the introduction of the next bill.
Joe Palmer — Representative Palmer introduced House Bill 629, explaining that it would allow vehicle registration documents to be provided either electronically or on paper, and then stood for questions. In the ensuing discussion, he confirmed that current technology should support either format and reiterated that people should be able to use either a paper or digital registration document. The exchange then shifted to Representative Harris, who asked how digital insurance cards are handled now and how that compares to registration, and was subsequently addressed in Talbot's response.
Tammy Nichols — Representative Nicholson asked whether Idaho could eventually connect the document to Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or its own app to allow offline access, and the response addressed that question.
Captain Ray Talbot — Was called to testify before the committee.
Ray Talbot — Captain Ray Talbot of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, speaking for the Idaho Sheriffs Association, testified about concerns with electronic registration and roadside verification. He explained that officers prefer not to take possession of a driver’s phone, that registration contains more detailed information than insurance, and that paper registration is easier to verify at the roadside. He noted that insurance display on a phone is allowed, said the bill appeared to allow either paper or digital registration, and described how officers ask drivers to stop and identify what they are reaching for so they can make quick tactical decisions and maintain safety.
Bruce Skaug — Representative Crane is acknowledged and then immediately asks a clarification question about the bill, specifically whether it requires everything to move to digital or still allows both paper and digital options.
Heather Scott — Is identified as having a question next.
Heather Scott — Asked about officer communication and safety when a person reaches for a phone or other item during a stop.
Heather Scott — Was addressed in Talbot's response.
Heather Scott — Prompted the motion by asking for a motion from the chair.
Clint Hostetler — Suggested it would be helpful to know registration and insurance before approaching the vehicle.
Captain Talbot — Captain Talbot explained that during a traffic stop, officer safety and monitoring the vehicle are the immediate priorities, while registration status is a lower priority until initial contact is made. He also said he could not speak to the technical feasibility of using a QR code for registration information and suggested that questions about what can be annotated on a registration return are better directed to the department or the Idaho Transportation Department.
Richard Cheatum — Raised a follow-up idea about using a QR code on the vehicle for scanning during an approach.
Richard Cheatum — Asked whether a QR code could be used on the back of the vehicle for scanning registration information.
Richard Cheatum — Asked whether the system or database could annotate that a person has a digital version of registration or other documents, similar to endorsements on a driver's license.
Richard Cheatum — Asked the question about whether a database could include a digital-registration identifier.
Richard Cheatum — Said he shares Representative Harris's concerns and will support the motion while reserving the right to change his vote.
David Leavitt — Was called on after Captain Talbot's testimony concluded.
David Leavitt — Said he respects law enforcement but disagrees with their concerns and argued that reaching for a wallet or phone should not be treated as a problem.
David Leavitt — Argued that reaching for a wallet, phone, or gun is similar in principle and said he warns officers before doing so; also said insurance information is already available in a database.
David Leavitt — Said officers should run plates before approaching a vehicle at night and argued that registration and insurance information already comes back through the system.
David Leavitt — Said the information is already available, expressed disagreement with the need for the bill, and then yielded for questions.
David Leavitt — Responded that there would be savings because the documents would no longer need to be mailed.
David Leavitt — Was told he would carry the bill on the floor.
David Leavitt — Was designated to carry the bill on the floor after the vote.
law enforcement — Representative Palmer said he respects law enforcement but disagrees with their position on the bill.
John Gannon — Representative Gannon questioned the fiscal note and asked why the proposed change was necessary if it had no fiscal impact or savings. He then said he would reluctantly vote no, explaining that he did not see a pressing need for the bill and preferred to keep the current process.
Rob Beiswenger — Representative Green was called on and then stated that, despite reservations, she would support sending the bill to the floor while reserving the right to change her vote. She also disclosed that she is married to a deputy.
Judy Boyle — Representative Boyle was called on after Representative Green’s remarks and stated that she would vote no on the motion, requesting to be recorded as opposed.