Caleb Williams — Caleb Williams introduces himself as a page from Shelley, Idaho, and then responds to a question about his future plans by saying he is not yet sure what career he wants and is still figuring it out.
Cindy Carlson — Senator Cindy Carlson asks Caleb Williams about his plans after graduation, and the exchange continues with discussion of his intention to serve an LDS mission after the school year ends.
Cindy Carlson — The chair calls on Senator Cindy Carlson, who then speaks in support of the regional centers while raising a concern about whether the state would incur additional ongoing expenses.
Kevin Cook — Asks Caleb Williams about his career choice and comments that politics does not pay well.
Kevin Cook — Moves to accept the February 12, 2026 minutes.
Kevin Cook — Makes the motion to send Senate Bill 1317 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
Christy Zito — Christy Zito reviews the February minutes and moves to accept the February 10, 2026 minutes.
Christy Zito — Questions how the bill's regional centers and property/building provisions would save money and function statewide.
Christy Zito — Christy Zito expresses concerns about the bill, including the fiscal note, implementation issues, and uncertainty about real estate or regional center locations. She concludes that she will vote no because she does not see enough clarity on how the bill will work.
Christy Zito — Not mentioned in text; no legislator named here. The section instead references Tess, likely a witness from earlier testimony.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking is recognized and then moves to approve the February 16, 2026 minutes, stating she has read them and found them to be in order.
Carrie Semmelroth — Is recognized for the final minutes item.
Carrie Semmelroth — Moves to approve the February 17, 2026 minutes.
Carrie Semmelroth — Asked whether the sponsor was familiar with SESTA in higher education and compared it to the bill's model.
Carrie Semmelroth — Continues the comparison between SESTA and the bill's model.
Van Burtenshaw — Is asked to lead the discussion on Senate Bill 1317.
Van Burtenshaw — Introduces himself as Senator Van Burtenshaw from District 31 and presents Senate Bill 1317.
Van Burtenshaw — Continues presenting Senate Bill 1317 and references the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Van Burtenshaw — Was asked a question about SESTA and the relationship to the bill.
Van Burtenshaw — Said he was not familiar with SESTA and asked for an explanation.
Van Burtenshaw — The transcript says 'Senator Burtenshaw' closes on the bill and comments in support of structural efficiency.
Van Burtenshaw — Thanked as a big supporter of the school.
Dave Lent — Addressed as Chair during the exchange.
Dave Lent — Addressed as Mr. Chair during the exchange.
Dave Lent — Addressed as Senator Lent by the witness.
Dave Lent — Multiple witnesses, including Dr. Jansen, Catherine Larson, and Kelly Heil, address Chairman Dave Lent and the committee in their opening remarks while testifying in support of regional service centers.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent is addressed as chair/chairman during the committee’s closing moments, then announces that the motion carries and thanks the committee and witnesses for their testimony.
Dave Lent — Mentioned as having visited the school district and spent over two hours there.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent is addressed as Chairman and thanked for being present, then the discussion continues with a request for an update on how the program could be scaled to serve smaller schools or districts.
Lisa Pofelski-Rosa — Lisa Pofelski-Rosa introduced herself as the financial specialist principal and clarified that she also serves as the funding and accountability coordinator for all IDEA programs within the Department of Education.
speech-language pathologist — Used as an example of a specialized provider who could serve multiple districts regionally.
Stoney Winston — Stoney Winston, superintendent of Fruitland School District, testifies in support of Senate Bill 1317. He explains that small districts like Fruitland and nearby districts lack the scale and financial flexibility to consistently recruit and sustain specialized IDEA staff, noting that these staffing pressures are a daily challenge for superintendents. He concludes by asking lawmakers to support the bill and offers to answer questions.
Scott Muir — Scott Muir, superintendent of Soda Springs School District, testifies in support of the bill by describing how small districts rely on outside providers for services such as speech pathology, school psychology, occupational therapy, and nursing. He explains the high cost of contracting speech services compared with career ladder salaries, notes a successful shared nurse arrangement between districts, and says his district serves a higher-than-average share of students with special education or IEP needs. In response to committee questions, he adds that a local service center would still require nearby districts to travel, though some services are already delivered online.
Dr. Jean Henscheide — Listed as an in-person witness to testify.
Dr. Jean Henshide — Dr. Jean Henshide is announced as one of the upcoming witnesses to testify, alongside Kayla Dodson and Dr. Joy Jansen.
Kayla Dodson — Kayla Dodson is introduced as an upcoming witness and then testifies as a private citizen from Boise in support of Senate Bill 1317. She explains that students with muscular dystrophy in her classroom needed motorized wheelchairs and highlights the importance of occupational therapists in teaching them how to use those devices, emphasizing the value of occupational therapy and education for students with disabilities.
Dr. Joy Jansen — Dr. Joy Jansen is repeatedly announced as an upcoming witness, including a note that she will testify by video, and then she appears to testify in support of regional service centers. In her testimony, she identifies herself as the director of special services and federal programs for the Lake Pondre School District.
Jean Henscheide — Jean Henscheide, President of the League of Women Voters of Idaho, testifies in support of Senate Bill 1317. She argues that democracy depends on eligible citizens being able to vote and that public education is essential to sustaining democracy. She connects this to the need for supports for special needs students, saying that with the right supports they will not be excluded from the citizenship pipeline.
Billy — Former student with muscular dystrophy in the witness's classroom.
Bobby — Former student with muscular dystrophy in the witness's classroom.
Mary — Sibling of Billy and Bobby, also in the witness's multi-age classroom.
Catherine Larson — Catherine Larson is introduced by the chair as a forthcoming in-person witness, and then she appears to testify in favor of SB 1317. In her testimony, she says she came from District 1 to support the bill and argues that it would improve efficiency without requiring new money.
Kelly Hyle — Kelly Hyle is announced as a forthcoming witness and then begins her testimony, identifying herself as an individual teacher in the Pocatello School District.
Kelly Hale — The chair announces Kelly Hale as the next in-person witness.
Jonathan Gillen — Jonathan Gillen is announced by the chair as an upcoming in-person witness, then again as part of the remaining witness lineup, and finally appears to testify in support of Senate Bill 1317, introducing himself and noting his background in education, finance, and operations.
Melissa Vianne — The chair announces Melissa Vianne as a forthcoming witness.
Kelly Heil — Testifies as an individual teacher in the Pocatello School District in support of the bill.
Ms. Hyle — The chair thanks Ms. Hyle after her testimony.
Melissa Viann — Melissa Viann is introduced as one of the remaining final witnesses, and shortly afterward she begins testifying. In her testimony, she says the main issue in Idaho special education is not a lack of commitment from educators but a lack of capacity, which leads to delayed evaluations, inconsistent services, and strained communication with families.
Kevin Moxley — Kevin Moxley is announced as one of the remaining witnesses and then called to testify. He introduces himself as being from Kimberly, Idaho, and begins his testimony by describing his background as a maintenance technician at Chobani and a licensed real estate agent, leading into his remarks about local access and family needs.