Kyle Harris — Kyle Harris interrupts to ask Mr. Touchstone about the code text being referenced, specifically whether section 325.3 on whole-house mechanical ventilation is being removed or moved elsewhere. He follows up to confirm that the section will not reappear and that whole-house mechanical fans will not be required, then briefly clarifies the page number being discussed.
Kyle Harris — Representative Harris questions the witness about the committee’s approach to the rulemaking language, arguing that industry professionals were not included and asking why the committee did not simply add blower-door language instead of rewriting the broader provisions. He then follows up on Section L, asking Mr. Touchstone to explain the language and expressing concern that it appears to state Idaho already requires whole-house ventilation, even though he believes that is not currently the case.
Mrs. Spoya — Thanked after the committee approved the docket she presented.
John Price — Was invited to the podium to present the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board rules docket.
Jaron Crane — Representative Crane is referenced in a motion-making exchange concerning whether to hold the docket subject to the call of the chair, with the discussion continuing seamlessly across the two mentions.
Jaron Crane — Jaron Crane raises a sustained concern that fire-related rules affecting his industry are scattered across multiple agencies and code sources, creating confusion for contractors, license holders, and the public. He argues that requirements should be consolidated in one place so stakeholders can easily find and follow Idaho law, and he questions specific provisions requiring heat detectors and interconnected smoke alarms in attached garages. He says the current approach shows why Idaho needs its own building code, and he supports rejecting the docket while urging lawmakers to work toward a single, clearer code structure for builders and citizens.
Jaron Crane — The transcript says 'Mr. President' in a follow-up, but the context suggests a member is responding; the exact speaker is unclear.
Mr. Price — Was told to wait while the committee voted on the motion to hold the docket.
Justin Touchstone — Justin Touchstone was invited to the podium to present the Building Safety Code rules docket, then introduced himself for the record and identified his roles with DOPL and the Idaho Building Code Board.
Kent Solberg — Identified as the registered engineer on the board and available for technical questions.
John Kotner — Identified as the registered contractor and home builder on the board and available for technical questions.
John Kotner — John Kotner is introduced as a local builder and governor-appointed representative on the Building Code Board, and he says he is present to answer questions. He then clarifies that the code language appears to contain a misprint: the intent is to seal the boot to the subfloor, not a register, as part of the energy code and building envelope to prevent crawl-space air from entering the house. He explains that the new code replaces the blower door test with practical construction checks inspectors can verify during construction. Kotner further says the issue is more relevant to the commercial code than the residential code, notes the committee can strike individual line items if needed, and asks members to move forward with the work completed over the past year and a half. He adds that he cannot speak to moving the code to the State Fire Marshal’s office, since the residential code does not conflict with that office. Finally, he argues that the 2024 residential code resolves many issues from prior versions, that industries were notified and could participate in negotiated rulemaking, and that adopting the 2024 changes while retaining many 2018 provisions makes sense for Idaho builders.
Joe Palmer — Joe Palmer repeatedly questioned how the bill’s requirement that HVAC registers and boots be sealed to the subfloor, walls, or ceilings would work in practice. He asked specifically how registers could be sealed to a subfloor when final flooring is installed later, and expressed discomfort that similar code language can be impossible to satisfy and still be enforced by inspectors.
Joe Palmer — Joe Palmer follows up on the HVAC sealing language by asking how a register is sealed to a subfloor, then clarifies that while he agrees the boot should be sealed, he is concerned the text appears to require the register itself to be sealed. He reads the provision aloud—stating that HVAC registers and boots shall be sealed to the subfloor—and questions whether this wording is a misprint or an oversight.
Joe Palmer — Referenced as having pointed out wording issues in the rules.
Faye Thompson — Asked what material should be used to seal recessed light fixtures.
Faye Thompson — Moved to reject the docket.
Brent Crane — Representative Brent Crane expressed escalating concern about the proposed docket and objected to the code language, specifically questioning why NFPA 13 sprinkler requirements are being incorporated into the building code.
Brent Crane — Representative Crane is referenced by the chair and then directly addressed by Burgess during a discussion of the building code board’s approach. The exchange culminates in Crane asking why members of his industry, including himself, were not included in the code collaborative despite the rule affecting his licensed work.
Brent Crane — He asks whether fire alarm and fire sprinkler provisions should be moved to the State Fire Marshal's office.
Mr. Touchstone — Begins responding to Representative Crane's concern about overlapping authority.
Mr. Touchstone — Says the language was vetted with the State Fire Marshal, who had no concerns.
Mr. Touchstone — Explains earlier testimony about why smoke alarms are not typically placed in garages due to condensation and exhaust.
Mr. Touchstone — His earlier explanation is being challenged.
Mr. Touchstone — Clarifies that the intent is for the heat detector to be interconnected to a smoke alarm in the house.
Mr. Touchstone — Being asked to clarify the rule language.
Mr. Touchstone — Clarifies the intent is to have the detector interconnected to a smoke alarm.
Mr. Touchstone — The chair calls for a follow-up question to Mr. Touchstone.
Mr. Touchstone — Being asked to address the redundancy concern.
Mr. Touchstone — Says he understands the overlap concern and explains he checked with the State Fire Marshal, who did not identify redundancy as a problem.
Mr. Touchstone — Says that when there is a conflict, the more restrictive rule controls and that the fire marshal's rules would trump DOPEL's rules.
Mr. Touchstone — Mr. Touchstone is asked to take a seat as public testimony begins.
Mr. Touchstone — Burgess references the negotiated rulemaking process described by Mr. Touchstone.
Mr. Touchstone — Mr. Touchstone is called to the podium to answer questions about the rule language, including whether it would require whole house fans for dwelling units. He responds that he would have no concern with deleting the particular line, and the chair then thanks him as the discussion on the substitute motion concludes.
Josh Wheeler — Josh Wheeler, acting as Vice Chairman, raises a brief point of order and then asks Representative Thompson to restate the motion and explain the reason for its rejection.
Josh Wheeler — Is identified as the member asking about deleting item nine from the section.
Sam Zahorka — The chair introduces Sam Zahorka as the first public witness. Zahorka identifies himself as the current president of the Idaho Association of Building Officials and testifies in support of adopting the 2024 building codes. His testimony is then cut off when his allotted time expires.
Ken Burgess — Ken Burgess is introduced as the next witness and then testifies, identifying himself as representing the Idaho Home Builders Association and expressing support for adopting the rule.
Mr. Burgess — Mr. Burgess is asked to wrap up his testimony and continues briefly by noting that one of his builders, John Kotner, is present as a possible technical resource. He then explains that the blower door test is conducted as a statistical sample, with every fifth home built by a builder being tested. In response to a question, he says he cannot explain why Representative Crane was not specifically called, but emphasizes that the process was exhaustive and public. The committee then thanks him and moves to the next witness.
Jeff Cornilles — A committee member is referenced in the prior exchange as having no further questions; the transcript does not clearly identify which member, so this is not tagged as a specific speaker here.
Lance Sayers — Lance Sayers is called to testify and introduces himself. He explains that he was not originally planning to testify but is speaking at the Chair’s invitation on behalf of the Association of Idaho Cities, which has participated in and hosted discussions with the builders and Dopple. He identifies himself as the policy analyst for the Association of Idaho Cities.
Brett Stoddard — The committee announces Brett Stoddard’s virtual testimony, asks him to introduce himself for the record, then notes that he has not unmuted and cannot proceed. Later, the committee makes one final attempt to connect with him for the same virtual testimony before moving on.
Mr. Stoddard — The chair invites Mr. Stoddard to unmute and introduce himself for the record so he can testify.
Steve Berch — Likely the member referred to as 'Representative Birch' asking for a motion; the transcript appears to misrecognize the name.
Steve Berch — Likely the member referred to as 'Representative Birch' asking about the negotiated rulemaking process.
Steve Berch — Representative Steve Berch participates in a continuous discussion about whether the concern raised is with the rule itself or with redundancy and where the requirement should be placed. He questions Representative Crane and Mr. Touchstone on that point, and the exchange concludes with the chair calling on Berch to comment on the motion.
Kyle Harris — Representative Kyle Harris asks a question about how the board arrived at a negative 8% balance and seeks clarification on the fee structure.
Jordan Redman — Jordan Redman is repeatedly referenced as the absent chairman, with the speaker noting that another representative is serving in his absence and welcoming the substitute chair.
Jordan Redman — Jordan Redman is repeatedly addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' throughout a continuous procedural exchange, with no substantive change in topic or narrative.