Dave Lent — Addressed as Mr. Chairman in closing remarks.
Dave Lent — Across this segment, multiple speakers address Chairman Dave Lent during committee testimony, thanking him and the committee for the opportunity to speak. One witness references a comment attributed to Senator Lent that innovative education should be the norm rather than the exception, and later speakers continue expressing appreciation for his patience and leadership. The overall exchange is a continuous set of acknowledgments and brief remarks praising Lent’s support for innovation in education.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Blaylock is mentioned as presenting House Bill 531, but the name does not match the expected member list and is left as transcribed.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking asked whether brailling books through the prison costs the same as using an outside vendor, and followed up by questioning why the prison brailling operation is not used as the first choice when that work is available within the prison system, especially if it is performed by inmates serving life sentences.
Janie Ward-Engelking — The transcript says 'Sonia Galaviz, District 16,' which does not match the expected member list; no ID assigned.
Camille Blaylock — Introduces herself as Senator from District 11 and presents the bill.
Cindy Carlson — Cindy Carlson asks for clarification on whether the bill requires schools or LEAs to keep epinephrine on hand and whether the bill is limited to the delivery system and how a student could use it.
Cindy Carlson — Senator Carlson asks for clarification on how the bill’s reimbursement mechanism works, including how funds are allocated between rural and non-rural education agencies. She notes that her questions are similar to others’ and specifically references the 4(b) language about remaining funds being made available to non-rural education agencies, prompting explanation of the reimbursement formula and funding distribution.
Cindy Carlson — Cindy Carlson asked where the state stands on the special education funding shortfall, noting it had grown from $82 million to $110 million. She followed up by asking what the plan is for future budgeting and how high-needs students are currently being funded. She was then directly addressed as the discussion moved into the response.
Senator Blaylock — The chair appears to call on Senator Blaylock for the next item, then corrects himself.
Alexis Jordan — The chair asks whether Alexis Jordan is present.
Lisa Jordan — A name is listed as present, though the transcript may be inaccurate.
Alexis Morgan — A person named Alexis Morgan is seen on video and may be the intended witness.
Alexis Morgan — The chair appears to call the next witness after thanking the prior speaker.
Alexis Morgan — Introduces herself as being from Eagle, Idaho, and representing Idaho PTA.
Alexis Morgan — Thanked the committee and stated Idaho PTA supports House Bill 531.
Alexis Morgan — Committee thanked Morgan and indicated no further questions.
Alexis Morgan — Committee notes that Morgan has already testified and will be marked complete.
Alicia Jordan — Alicia Jordan is identified on video and then introduces herself as a registered nurse and school nurse with 22 years of experience, describing her professional background in school nursing.
Brittany Shipley — Brittany Shipley testified as a parent of a child with a rare medical condition, supporting House Bill 531 while urging that its language be broadened. She explained that her son uses a glucometer prescribed for a non-diabetes condition, and that diagnosis-specific statutory language can delay care and force repeated school calls when his glucose may be dropping. Drawing on her experience working with schools through a district policy committee and prior testimony, she argued the amendment would reduce disruptions, prevent delays in care, and help children with rare or complex medical needs attend school safely.
James Woodward — Senator James Woodward asks for clarification about the witness and the specific bill line item being discussed, seeking the exact line and proposed change so the committee can understand the issue. The chair encourages him to ask his question on the record, and the exchange concludes with a response indicating that the information had already been provided and was raised in the House hearing.
James Woodward — Senator Woodward asks for clarification on the rural/non-rural funding split in paragraph four of the bill. After Superintendent Critchfield explains the provision, Woodward returns to the issue, says he supports the intent, and notes that while the code language is difficult, it appears to ensure a minimum of 40% for rural districts.
James Woodward — Senator Woodward is briefly addressed in committee and then makes a quick procedural observation, continuing the same short exchange about committee experience and technology.
James Woodward — Was asked to come forward and close, then spoke in support of the fund based on broad testimony.
James Woodward — James Woodward is introduced as part of the team presenting House Bill 624 with Representative Galavis and Representative Handy, and he later explains that he and Representative Handy collaborated to develop the bill.
James Woodward — Senator James Woodward makes a brief post-testimony comment, noting that Superintendent Bayer is in her office at Valley View Elementary and referencing the Cooperative Facilities Fund.
James Woodward — Moves to send House Bill 624 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
Ms. Shipley — Furman said she is working with legislators to address the issue in another bill.
Tammy Nichols — Asked for clarification on what was expanded in the bill and about the $5 million budget amount.
Tammy Nichols — Senator Tammy Nichols briefly thanks the stakeholders for coming to the table and expresses appreciation for the bipartisan, collaborative effort on the issue.
Superintendent Wilsenhum / Wilschenhum — The chair attempts to call the superintendent as a witness, but the name appears inconsistently transcribed.
Perry — Named as an upcoming in-person participant.
Landon — Named as an upcoming video participant.
Quinn Perry — Quinn Perry was called forward to testify in person, then identified himself as the Deputy Director of the Idaho School Boards Association and began testifying in strong support of Senate Bill 1288.
Wendy Landon — Wendy Landon was called as the next witness and then testified, identifying herself as the Director of the Bonneville School District and speaking in favor of the High Needs Student Fund bill.
Ms. Landon — The chair thanked Ms. Landon and noted there were no questions.
Robert Bratley — Robert Bratley was introduced as the next in-person presenter and then testified that he represents the Idaho Education Association, speaking in firm support of the bill.
Mr. Bradley — The chair appears to thank the witness, likely referring to Robert Bratley.
Paula Mason — Paula Mason is introduced and then identifies herself as the interim administrator for Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, beginning her remarks by describing the program’s statewide support.
Christy Zito — The chair calls on Senator Christy Zito, who then asks whether Braille books are produced at the prison library, referencing the discussion of Braille materials.
Christy Zito — The transcript appears to misrender 'Senator Gallaudit' as the responding legislator; likely the speaker is Representative Galavis, not a listed member.
Ms. Mason — Ms. Mason explained that brailling materials is costly when they must use a vendor, so they first try to borrow already-brailled books from other states. She added that they also check with the prison system and IESDB first, but the process is difficult because trained prisoners may be moved out of state, making staffing and production inconsistent.
Melissa Vian — Melissa Vian was introduced as the next in-person presenter and then testified as the education director at Idaho Parents Unlimited. She thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak and described her role supporting families navigating special education.
Angela Lindig — Introduced herself as executive director at Idaho Parents Unlimited and said she would keep her remarks brief.
Nicole Treacle — Identified as signed up for the next item, not this one.
Kevin Cook — Offered a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook is mentioned during a light introduction of the new superintendent, with the speaker noting that both he and Senator Cook are proud of the superintendent and that he is from their hometown.
Van Burtenshaw — Thanked the chair and said he would turn the question over to the Superintendent.
Van Burtenshaw — Senator Van Burtenshaw is addressed and then asks about Idaho residency rules, specifically whether they create geographic boundaries and whether students can be eligible across district lines. The discussion continues with reference to statewide enrollment and district boundaries, keeping the focus on how residency and boundary rules affect student eligibility.
Carrie Semmelroth — During the House Bill 624 presentation, Carrie Semmelroth introduced the bill alongside Representative Galavis and noted Galavis’s education-policy expertise and assistance in developing the legislation. The discussion then continued with Galavis introducing herself as Sonia Galavis, District 16, and explaining the bill’s stakeholder process and related school district code provisions.