Carl Bjerke — Mentioned during roll call; transcribed as 'Bjurkey.'
Phil Hart — Mentioned during roll call.
Cindy Carlson — Cindy Carlson is called during roll call and responds 'Here,' indicating her presence.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Glenneda Zuiderveld is mentioned during roll call, first as a transcribed name and then as being called with an apparent response of 'Here.'
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld addressed the chair and Director Miller, raising a question about forest management and the use of downed firewood in the mountains.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Asked for an explanation of the Drinking Water Loan Fund and how it differs from other funds.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Asked for more detail about the Drinking Water Loan Fund increase and why the appropriation is so large if it is not being used.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Continued asking about the Drinking Water Loan Fund increase and why the appropriation is so large.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Repeated the question about the Drinking Water Loan Fund increase and why the appropriation is so large.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Asked about proposed fee increases for wastewater and water treatment and the expected revenue.
Codi Galloway — Codi Galloway is mentioned during roll call and then called again as part of the same roll-call sequence.
Codi Galloway — Senator Galloway is called on and asks whether the committee can do something about wildfire prevention funding.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Called during roll.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Ward Engelking was recognized and asked Director Miller what ongoing reductions would mean for the mission of protecting endowment lands. Miller responded directly to the senator’s question, acknowledging the concern and addressing the impact of the reductions.
Melissa Wintrow — Called during roll; response appears to be 'Here.'
Melissa Wintrow — A committee member directs a question to Ms. Jessup or the director about the deficiency fund.
Melissa Wintrow — The speaker thanks Ms. Jessup and asks another question.
Melissa Wintrow — The member addresses Ms. Chesa in the question exchange.
Melissa Wintrow — The question is directed to Ms. Jessup about wildfire prevention funding.
Melissa Wintrow — The director responded to Senator Wintrow in a discussion about staffing and vacancies, noting that the agency worked during the fall to fill key openings, especially in the fire program.
Melissa Wintrow — Addressed as the senator asking about the loan fund and application volume.
Melissa Wintrow — Begins questioning the director about staffing levels and retention.
Melissa Wintrow — Continues questioning about staffing levels, permitting, and public health impacts related to algae blooms.
Melissa Wintrow — Addressed by the director in response to the staffing question.
Melissa Wintrow — Expressed support for investing in water and public health and began asking whether reduced staffing could risk primacy.
Melissa Wintrow — Asked whether very low staffing levels could risk primacy for DEQ programs.
Melissa Wintrow — Raised concern about a bill transferring solid waste responsibility from the public health district to DEQ and asked whether DEQ can manage it.
Josh Tanner — Called during roll as 'Representative Tanner.'
Rod Furniss — Called during roll as 'Furness.'
James Petzke — Called during roll as 'Petsky.'
James Petzke — Representative Petzke asks where the cash comes from if the fire suppression deficiency fund goes into the red.
James Petzke — Representative James Petzke asked about House Bill 511, which is agency-sponsored legislation that has passed the House, and whether the committee needs to take action this year to provide spending authority for the proposed $4 million fire preparedness funding. He followed up to clarify whether the additional spending authority is needed now, later, or whether the funds are continuously appropriated.
Dustin Manwaring — Called during roll; response appears to be 'Here.'
Brooke Green — Called during roll.
Janet Jessup — Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, introduced herself and began the agency's budget presentation, then later returned after a brief interruption to continue that same presentation.
Chris Anton — Chris Anton, manager of investments for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, introduced himself and noted that he had no staff present and no formal presentation. He explained that the board submitted its budget without increases except for requested personnel costs and emphasized that the board works to keep costs as low as possible, comparing its expenses favorably to other investment funds. The committee then thanked him for his fiscal responsibility and work.
Tom Wilford — Tom Wilford is identified multiple times as the EFIB board chair and as being present at the meeting, with the committee and speaker acknowledging his role.
Mr. Anton — Jessup said he could answer more specific questions about the office's work.
Director Miller — Introduced as the director of the Department of Lands and present to provide insight.
Steve Miller — Representative Miller asks for clarification on the difference between standby/readiness and active engagement funding for firefighters.
Michael Veile — The chair invited Director Dustin Miller to come forward, identify himself, recognize accompanying staff, and give opening remarks. Miller then introduced himself as the director of the Idaho Department of Lands and acknowledged staff and fire wardens present. Shortly afterward, he was again referenced in the ongoing discussion as members asked him to explain how reductions would affect the department’s mission.
Chris Bruce — Representative Bruce asked what “staffing-up levels” means and how many crews or people that would involve. The director responded by using the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District as an example to explain staffing needs, and continued the discussion by noting that the answer depends on circumstances and that the agency does not operate like an insurance model when considering suppression costs and staffing.
Mark Sauter — The speaker addressed 'Mr. President Paris' before raising a question about House Bill 226 and FTP positions.
Edward Hill — Representative Harris participated in a brief exchange about House Bill 226 and the abandoned mine lands fund. The director explained that the bill affects the AML fund and limits the ability to pay staff from that source. Harris then followed up by asking what the 1.25 FTP positions currently do under AML and how their work relates to waterways.
Edward Hill — Asked for clarification about the Water Pollution Control Fund and what it can be used for.
Director Just Burns — Identified as the department director who will present and answer questions.
Just Burns — Named as the department director who will present.
Ms. Jessup — Explained that the increase in the loan fund likely reflects underutilization, but said the director could provide more specific details about loan applications and board review.
Ms. Jessup — Referenced as having already touched on the success stories being expanded upon.