Jim Guthrie — Referenced for often noting the strong talent in Idaho.
Lori Hartog — Lori Hartog is briefly noted at the start of the meeting, then is addressed by a page who asks what the hardest part of being a senator is. Hartog responds and continues her answer, keeping the discussion focused on that question.
Lori Hartog — Likely the second on the motion; transcript says 'Senator Den Hartog,' which appears to be a transcription error.
Lori Hartog — Named as the second on the motion.
Lori Hartog — Begins remarks agreeing with prior statements and supporting the confirmation process.
Lori Hartog — Seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1300.
Drew Brown — Drew Brown is introduced as the page for the second half and then introduces himself as a page from Eagle, Idaho. He shares that he is taking a high school law enforcement class, plans to serve a mission, and hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement, starting as a deputy and eventually working toward the FBI or SWAT. He also mentions that his parents, Max and Sally Brown, are present.
Treg Bernt — The transcript briefly notes that Senator Treg Bernt appears to have a comment, with the name referenced twice in slightly different spellings.
Treg Bernt — Moves to send Senate Bill 1300 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Treg Bernt — Senator Burnt is introduced to speak on Senate Bill 1301, and he then identifies himself as Treg Burnt, Senator for District 21 in Idaho.
Treg Bernt — Referenced as having shared information about the downtown Meridian project.
Callie Younger — Callie Younger is introduced as the gubernatorial appointee to serve as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. She then introduces herself, confirms her current role as administrator, and notes her prior federal service. In her opening remarks, she also mentions that her family is present to support her.
Mark Harris — Asks about a possible merger involving OEMR.
Mark Harris — Addressed in the response about the proposed merger.
Mark Harris — Thanked the witness and expressed appreciation for helping the mining industry and the state.
Mark Harris — Moved to introduce and send RS 33460 to print.
Kelly Anthon — Kelly Anthon, representing District 27, introduced himself and asked that RS 33435 be introduced, then continued with another brief identification remark noting his district and counties.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Kelly Anthon questioned whether the bill would alter the commissioners' authority to fire the director, and the witness responded that the exact language may not change that authority. A brief follow-up to Senator Anthon occurred immediately afterward, keeping the discussion within the same topic.
Ben Adams — Moved to introduce RS 33435.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams argues in favor of Senate confirmation for political appointees, saying it serves the public interest and should apply to agencies like Transportation, Fish and Game, and Parks and Recreation. He adds that in his four years in the Senate, he has seen many confirmations and believes the governor generally appoints highly qualified people. The later reference to Senator Adams simply builds on his earlier point about confirmation and appointments.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams is identified as the second on a motion, later clarified as seconding Senator Shippy’s motion to send Senate Bill 1301 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Ben Toews — Seconded the motion to introduce RS 33435.
Ben Toews — Ben Toews asked about the pre-initiative appointment process for the Fish and Game position, specifically whether the governor had been appointing the position before the initiative and whether the Senate confirmed it.
Nick Fasciano — Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, testified in respectful opposition to Senate Bill 1300 and urged the committee to hold the bill. He argued that the current Fish and Game commission structure already provides oversight and warned that changing the director to a gubernatorial appointee could create risks for long-term wildlife management. In response to questions, he said he could not recall when the board last fired a director, suggested the bill might not change firing authority in exact legal terms but would likely increase deference to the governor, and offered historical context about how the pre-initiative system differed and how the 1938 initiative arose.
Rob Thornberry — Rob Thornberry was introduced as a virtual witness and then testified in opposition to Senate Bill 1300. He described Idaho’s strong hunting and fishing opportunities and argued that they are supported by science-based wildlife management through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. He emphasized that the department’s director is chosen by a commission rather than the governor, framing this structure as a safeguard against political interference. Thornberry concluded that SB 1300 is a solution in search of a problem and, when asked further, said that while some people feel unheard, public involvement has actually increased and is at an all-time high.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy asked about sportsmen’s interest in electing commissioners and the director directly, saying he has heard from many sportsmen across the state and asking whether the witness has seen similar sentiment locally or among sportsmen in their area.
Brandon Shippy — Speaks in favor of the motion, echoing Senator Adams' points about confirmation and professionalism.
Brandon Shippy — Says the Senate prides itself on the confirmation process and that the governor has selected good appointees.
Brandon Shippy — Rejects the idea that professionalism requires excluding the governor or Senate from appointments.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy participates in the committee’s consideration of Senate Bill 1301 by first asking to hear a testifier before proceeding, then moving to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. After the motion is seconded, he briefly supports the bill as beneficial to business growth and local communities. The motion is later restated for the committee as part of the same procedural discussion.
Janice Brown — Janice Brown testified as a private citizen and treasurer of Friends of Harriman State Park, explaining the 1963 Harriman gift of 11,000 acres to Idaho and the conditions attached to that gift. She quoted the statutory language establishing a professionally staffed, merit-based park service and argued that the law clearly intended an apolitical body to hire the park director. She concluded by asking that Parks and Recreation be removed from the bill or that the bill not advance. A later speaker briefly referenced her earlier testimony about the Harriman gift deed.
Eric Wieseth (questionable) — Chair announces the next virtual witness; spelling is uncertain in the transcript.
Eric Wysa (questionable) — Eric Wysa, speaking for the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, opposes Senate Bill 1300. He argues that Idaho voters established the Fish and Game Commission’s authority over wildlife management and the director, and that removing the commission’s hiring and firing power would weaken accountability, create a dual-authority conflict with the governor, and undermine effective management. He concludes by asking the committee to keep the bill in committee.
Samuel Laird / Samuel Lair (questionable) — Chair introduces the next witness; spelling of the name is uncertain.
Samuel Lair — Samuel Lair, legislative director for the Idaho Freedom Foundation, presents a continuous constitutional argument in favor of the bill. He explains that the executive’s power includes the authority to remove executive officers, citing James Madison and the Decision of 1789, and notes that this principle was reaffirmed in Myers v. U.S. He concludes that the legislation is an important step back toward that constitutional framework and urges the committee to support it.
Mr. Fasciano — Lair says Fasciano is a close friend of his.
Rick Just — Rick Just, representing the Friends of Idaho State Parks, testifies in opposition to the bill. He explains that the Harriman gift deed requires a professionally staffed, career park service and a nonpolitical appointment process, including for the director. He describes the Park and Recreation Board as intentionally bipartisan, with members nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, and cites the Batt/Farrell example to argue that the board—not the governor—should retain authority to fire the director. He concludes that there is no reason to change the current procedure and warns that doing so could jeopardize the Harriman State Park donation, urging a no vote.
Michael Gibson — Michael Gibson introduced himself as a representative of Trout Unlimited and concluded his testimony by asking the committee to oppose SB 1300, while remaining available for questions.
Jeff Bitten — Jeff Bitten, president of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, introduced himself as representing the association and then concluded his testimony by standing for questions.
James Ruchti — A question is directed to Senator O'Conniewicz asking him to summarize what the Attorney General was asked about.
James Ruchti — Senator Ruchti asks whether the Attorney General's office meant the agreement did not pass to later generations or simply lacked an enforcement mechanism.
James Ruchti — The speaker responds to Senator Ruchti's question about enforcement and whether the agreement passed to later generations.
James Ruchti — States he will vote against the bill because the issue is really about Fish and Game and Parks and Rec, not just Transportation.
James Ruchti — Says he will vote against the bill after citing support from conservation and outfitter organizations.
James Ruchti — Referenced as the sponsor bringing the bill.
James Ruchti — Made the motion to send Senate Bill 1300 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
James Ruchti — Recorded as voting no on the motion.
James Ruchti — Thanked for bringing the bill and for allowing the testimony.
Jacob Black — Jacob Black is called to testify before the committee and then introduces himself as the founder and owner of Lost Grove Brewing, noting that he was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and lives on 28th and Hill Road.