Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow engages in a brief, continuous exchange with the chair and witnesses, thanking the chair, addressing Finn, making a lighthearted remark, and then continuing with follow-up questions to Cooper Smith, including whether he wished he had served on the health and welfare side. The discussion remains procedural and conversational throughout, with Senator Wintrow driving the questioning.
Melissa Wintrow — Requests that Senator Galloway be allowed to ask a question before a motion.
Melissa Wintrow — Requests a question before motion; the transcript also shows a likely misspelling 'Wintrae'.
Melissa Wintrow — Referenced as the sponsor whose legislation was coordinated with this bill.
Melissa Wintrow — Referenced as having a bill that allowed an exemption.
Melissa Wintrow — Her prior bill is described as allowing an exemption and being part of the same code section.
Melissa Wintrow — Her prior legislation is described as unsuccessful and not guaranteed to pass.
Melissa Wintrow — Referenced as the bill sponsor whose legislation this bill follows.
Melissa Wintrow — Moved to send Senate Bill 1294 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow questioned Senator Blaylock about the bill’s research and outreach process, asking who was consulted, what feedback was received, and who supported or opposed the proposal. She also raised concerns that the Board of Health and Welfare might be the only public venue for concerns and asked whether community testimony could influence the sponsor’s view on repealing the boards. The exchange remained focused on public input, outreach, and the bill’s support or opposition.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow questioned the witness about the behavioral health boards, asking what they do, why they matter, and who would be affected if they were eliminated. She then expressed strong reluctance to remove the boards, citing concerns about stakeholder consultation, impacts on behavioral health and disability communities, and the loss of public and legislative oversight for what she viewed as a relatively small savings. The sequence ends with a brief continuation in which she indicates support for the motion and references an online testifier who may not have been called.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Blaylock made a motion to approve minutes.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Blaylock is called on for the motion.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Blaylock introduced Senate Bill 1316.
Camille Blaylock — Camille Blaylock identifies herself as Senator from District 11.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Camille Blaylock presents Senate Bill 1316 and explains its purpose.
Camille Blaylock — Was noted for being open to working with the witness on improving the statutes.
Camille Blaylock — The witness praised Senator Blaylock's openness to working with them on improving the statutes.
Camille Blaylock — The witness again referenced Senator Blaylock's willingness to work on changes to the bill.
Camille Blaylock — Closed on the bill and thanked the doctor for his remarks and collaboration on additional changes.
Camille Blaylock — Seconded the motion to send Senate Bill 1316 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Dave Lent — Senator Lenny made the motion to approve the February 5th, 2026 minutes; likely a transcription error for Senator Lent.
Julie VanOrden — Chairwoman Van Orden welcomes the witness and is thanked by name.
Julie VanOrden — Recorded as voting aye.
Mark Uranga — Mark Uranga testifies in support of the bill as a pediatrician and Boise resident.
Codi Galloway — Senator Galloway introduced Senate Bill 1294 and explained that it would help infants with hearing loss by improving access to testing, follow-up care, and related resources. Later in the same hearing context, he was also asked about the process for other people who wanted to testify in person.
Codi Galloway — Asked questions and discussed how the hearing screening language would align with the other listed screenings and existing statutory language.
Codi Galloway — Asked whether there were additional comments to make.
Codi Galloway — Responded to the question and referenced her youngest child being born at St. Luke's Meridian and receiving the hearing test.
Codi Galloway — Explained that more advanced and less advanced hearing tests exist and that experts recommended codifying the two tests in the bill.
Codi Galloway — Recorded as voting yes.
Lisa — A neighbor and friend who brought the bill idea to Senator Galloway.
Paula Mason — Paula Mason is introduced as a witness from Filer, then testifies as the interim superintendent for the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind in support of Senate Bill 1294 and the newborn hearing screen bill. Later remarks reference her earlier point about the importance of early diagnosis and screening, reinforcing the same theme.
Ms. Mason — Witness is reminded of the two-minute time limit.
Susie Jones — Susie Jones introduced herself as a provider of early intervention services and testified in support of Senate Bill 1294, describing her work in early intervention and noting her personal experience as a parent of a deaf son.
Lisa Coleman — Introduces herself as a Boise parent of two daughters with hearing loss and offers a parent's perspective on newborn hearing screening.
Lisa Coleman — Referenced as having described the family perspective on the bill.
Christy Zito — Referenced as having noted that there are six recommended newborn screens at birth.
Christy Zito — Seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1294.
Christy Zito — Said she seconded the motion, had questions to clarify, and would vote yes for now while reserving the right to change her vote on the floor.
Christy Zito — Referenced as someone whose additional information may affect a future floor vote.
Christy Zito — Recorded as voting yes.
Christy Zito — Began presenting Senate Bill 1314.
Christy Zito — Introduced herself as Camille Blaylock, Senator from District 11, and presented Senate Bill 1314 as a cleanup bill modernizing state systems.
Christy Zito — Was invited to close the testimony.
Christy Zito — Named as the second on the motion; likely a transcription error for Senator Lenney.
Christy Zito — Was asked for permission to speak to the motion.
Lisa Clegg — Lisa Clegg introduces herself as president of Idaho Hands and Voices and a parent of two children with hearing loss, initially noting she thought she was only signing in as a participant. She then answers a question about what more could be done beyond the bill by describing her daughter’s late-identified hearing loss, which was discovered after repeated ear infections despite passing newborn screening. Clegg concludes by urging additional hearing screenings before kindergarten and suggesting legislation include funding mechanisms in case CDC and HRSA support is no longer available.
Kevin Cook — Identified as the senator asking a follow-up question, though the transcript says 'Lenny.'
Kevin Cook — The Senate is described as confirming the director.