Jerald Raymond — Representative Jerald Raymond introduces House Bill 663, identifies his legislative district, and explains that the bill is intended to redesign the Ag in the Classroom program by giving its board of directors authority to make those changes, including related funding and program details.
Jerald Raymond — Was told he would carry HB 663 on the floor.
Christy Zito — Christy Zito is referenced as having drafted an earlier related bill in 2020, with the discussion noting her role as the sponsor of that prior legislation.
Brandon Mitchell — Vice Chairman Mitchell was referenced as having had a bill in 2021 that remained in amending order.
Brandon Mitchell — Representative Mitchell recalls having run an earlier version of the bill and uses a personal example about teaching his daughter to drive on a side-by-side to support his view that parents know what their children need. He argues that parents should decide whether to teach their children themselves or hire someone, and says he will support the motion.
Robert Scoville — Robert Scoville testified in opposition to HB 628, saying he was representing himself and arguing that public driver education is essential for student and community safety. He warned that removing or weakening driver education would increase teen crash and fatality rates, citing Idaho crash statistics and the economic costs of teen crashes. He also argued that rural exemptions and parent-led instruction have not worked, that the bill would harm both rural and urban communities, and that trained instructors are necessary to properly prepare young drivers.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Shepherd questions the witness’s assertion that the bill forces parents to teach driver education, asking how the bill compels parents to do anything. He then follows up by asking whether cuts to public education and driver’s training would similarly force parents, tying the issue to funding reductions and their impact on families.
Charlie Shepherd — Was called on for discussion on the motion.
Mr. Scoville — Mr. Scoville argues against eliminating early driver education, saying that if families cannot afford private instruction, parents are left to teach driving themselves. He explains the current model: six hours of observation and behind-the-wheel training, followed by 50 hours of parent-supervised practice, with the professional instruction giving students and parents a stronger foundation. He uses a building-foundation analogy to say that removing this early training weakens later learning and makes it harder for parents to complete the rest of the instruction effectively. He then shifts to supporting data, citing population growth in the Treasure Valley, more young drivers on the road, and 33 teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2023.
Edward Hill — Representative Harris questions the witness about the driver training process, asking whether students are trained by the program and then required to complete 50 hours of parent-supervised driving. He then challenges the implication that parents are not capable of teaching their children to drive, and follows up by asking whether urban students are already being instructed by professionals like the witness. Finally, he presses on the witness’s claim about rising accidents, asking how the situation can be said to get worse if it is already worsening.
Mike Pohanka — Asks the witness to clarify the number of youth fatalities in 2023.
Mike Pohanka — Seeks clarification on the fatality count and corrects the year reference.
Mike Pohanka — Shares a personal anecdote about his granddaughter's driver's education in Arizona and the value of professional instruction.
Mike Pohanka — Continues his anecdote and suggests at least a couple hours of professional training.
Heather Scott — Representative Harris first asked a question after the speaker finished remarks, then immediately followed up by moving House Bill 628 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
John Gannon — Was called on after the prior speaker; the transcript says 'Ganon,' likely referring to Representative Gannon.
Cassidy Plum — Representative Raymond yields time to Cassidy Plum, the executive director/state director of Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom, who then begins her testimony. She introduces herself and the organization, expresses support for the idea being discussed, and responds positively to the committee’s comments, including mention of student involvement and a competition for students.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Representative Stephanie Mickelsen briefly raises a question and then states her support for House Bill 663 by moving it to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Was asked whether she had a question.
Mark Harris — Representative Harris briefly comments that students in the classroom should design the plate, and Cassidy responds to that suggestion by acknowledging the idea of student involvement.
Mark Harris — Mr. Harris argues that the bill will not change who teaches the children, because regardless of who provides instruction, every driver still has to pass the driving test.
Samantha Parrott — Samantha Parrott identifies herself as executive director of the Snake River Sugar Beet Growers Association and testifies in support.
Jason Monks — Representative Jason Monks is part of a brief, joking exchange about potatoes and other produce-related remarks, while also asking whether Food Producers of Idaho supports the legislation. The conversation remains lighthearted and centered on the bill’s support and related follow-up banter.
Jason Monks — Was called on after the prior speaker and then spoke in support of the bill.
Ron Mendive — Samantha Parrott testified in support of the plate redesign with a playful tone, joking about the Potato Commission's black plates, offering to bring sugar cookies, and ending with a joke about a motion for cookies. Ron Mendive then introduced House Bill 628, described his district and the bill's purpose, explained its legislative history and prior attempts, and noted that he removed language limiting the bill to rural areas so it would also apply to urban areas.
Ron Mendive — Was invited to finish up and then spoke in support of the bill, arguing that no one is forced to teach their child to drive.