Mr. Larson — Clarified that only contractors on the listed categories are subject to background checks and noted the FBI wants an express list of who must be checked.
Mr. Larson — Explained that only contractors on the listed categories are subject to background checks, not ordinary plumbing contractors for the department.
Mr. Larson — The prior answer is referenced as confirming that ordinary plumbing contractors for the department would not need a background check.
Mr. Larson — Stated that every adoption requires a background check, whether the adoption is familial or not.
Mr. Larson — Asked the senator to point out where the bill is adding adoptive parent applicants.
Mr. Larson — Responds that the senator is correct about the bill's purpose.
Mr. Larson — The senator directs the clarification question to Mr. Larson.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Asked whether contractors listed in the bill would need background checks before doing work such as fixing a broken pipe.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Questioned whether contractors would need background checks before performing work.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Mr. Larson responds to her question about who is subject to background checks.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Confirmed that the bill is repeating existing code language and asked about the phrase 'federal public policy' in the statement of purpose.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — The transcript appears to misrender the senator's name again as 'Zauderfell'; she continues concerns about federal involvement and state sovereignty.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Zuiderveld (name spelled inconsistently in the transcript) is repeatedly referenced during the vote and recorded as voting yes.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Brandon Shippy asked for confirmation that the bill does not impose any new background-check or other requirements, and the response affirmed that the bill is only clarifying existing requirements and is not adding anything new.
Jordan Redman — Senator Jordan Redman asks whether the committee is ready for a motion, with the transcript also containing a brief misidentified reference to "Senator Harris" in the same exchange before the discussion moves on.
Representative Wheeler — Invited to close the presentation before the motion.
Charlie Shepherd — The speaker appears to be responding to or referencing Senator Shepherd's earlier comments, though the transcript says 'Senator Slaughterfeld' in the next line.
Charlie Shepherd — Asked for the motion to be restated after a member joined the committee.
Charlie Shepherd — Recorded as voting no.
Charlie Shepherd — Named during the request to be recorded on the vote.
Charlie Shepherd — Introduced a question for Representative Ehlers.
Charlie Shepherd — Asked whether consumers should be trusted to make their own food-safety choices.
Charlie Shepherd — Raised concerns that the bill's dollar threshold does not address food-safety risks.
Dave Lent — Senator Lenny first indicated he would vote no and moved a substitute motion, then clarified the motion by asking that House Bill 494 be held in committee subject to the call of the chair.
Dave Lent — Requested a roll call vote.
Jared Larson, Chief of Staff, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Jared Larson, Chief of Staff for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, responds to committee questions about the bill’s background check requirements. He identifies himself, offers to answer questions, and then explains that the discussion centers on access to background check information, who must undergo checks, and the department’s ability to carry out those checks under existing code. He also confirms that without the bill and FBI access, the department could not fully perform required background checks, which could affect the operation of facilities such as nursing homes.
Melissa Wintrow — Asked what happens if the bill does not pass.
Melissa Wintrow — Recorded as voting nay.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow participated in a sustained discussion of the cottage foods bill, raising concerns about food safety and consumer protection. She asked whether training or certification requirements should be added, citing peanut allergies and time- and temperature-controlled foods, questioned why broader cottage foods changes were not made earlier, and suggested that labeling might need to clearly state when a product does not meet safety requirements so consumers understand the risks at farm markets.
Mark Harris — Recorded as voting no on the substitute motion.
Mark Harris — Asked how liability concerns would be addressed if someone gets sick.
Julie VanOrden — Recorded as voting nay.
Kelly Anthon — Recorded as voting aye.
Kelly Anthon — Clarified that he voted aye.
Kelly Anthon — Appears to be seeking recognition or making a procedural comment before questions.
Jeff Ehlers — Representative Jeff Ehlers introduced himself and presented House Bill 526, explaining that it is intended to help small food entrepreneurs and cottage food sellers, such as those selling at farmers markets. In the later exchange, he responded to a safety concern by saying consumers should be allowed to make their own choice.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Blaylock is identified as the floor sponsor and noted as being away in education at the time, with appreciation expressed for her willingness to carry the bill on the floor.
Elizabeth Criner — Testified on behalf of Food Northwest in opposition to House Bill 526.
Ms. Criner — Thanked for testimony and then questioned by Senator Shippey.
Ms. Kriner — Ms. Kriner responded to Senator Shippey’s question by explaining that the current labeling requirements are minimal and were originally designed for shelf-stable foods.
Ms. Kreiner — Addressed by Senator Wintrow in follow-up questioning.
Ms. Craner / Ms. Criner — Responded that many states use standards for time- and temperature-controlled perishable foods.
Michael Kane — Michael Kane testified on behalf of the seven health districts, introducing himself and noting that Russ Duke was available as backup for questions. He then continued with testimony on the bill’s food-safety implications, explaining the distinction between shelf-stable foods and time-temperature-controlled foods and emphasizing that district directors are concerned about the issue.
Russ Duke — Russ Duke, director of Central District Health, introduced himself and described Idaho’s public health districts as independent agencies that primarily educate the retail food industry. He said the districts prefer to have environmental health specialists interact directly with people entering the food business, and he argued that labeling or a dollar limit would not change the underlying safety concerns. Duke cited Idaho food-borne outbreak data, including raw milk as an example of serious risk, and warned that the proposal could create a statewide challenge for public health districts that handle investigations.
Shawn Dygert — Spoke in support of the legislation, saying labeling is the biggest issue and expressing concern about deception.
Shawn Dygert — Spoke in support of the bill and referenced Senator Kaiser’s earlier comments.
Shawn Dygert — Referenced as having made a point about raw milk.
Jeff Cornilles — Referenced approvingly as having spoken earlier in support of the bill.
Josh Keyser — A brief exchange repeatedly references 'Senator Lenny' in the context of asking whether there are any questions and directing a question to that senator. The mentions appear to be the same ongoing discussion, though the name may be a mis-transcription and the intended reference is uncertain.
Mr. Larson — Invited to answer the question about the FBI language.