Van Burtenshaw — Senator Burtenshaw is referenced and then directly participates in the same hearing segment: he suggests sending the bill to the 14th order for amendment and is noted as having been previously approached about the concern. He is then mentioned in passing during the presentation, asked for closing comments, and gives closing remarks explaining the high cost and weight of the new combine, including that it could cost between $850,000 and $900,000.
Van Burtenshaw — Senator Burtenshaw makes the motion to send Senate Bill 1325 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
Joshua Kohl — Seconded the motion, as transcribed.
Phil Hart — Raised a question about whether out-of-state people pay into the fund.
Phil Hart — Asked whether out-of-state people pay into the fund and questioned the exclusion of non-Idaho residents.
Phil Hart — Continued questioning the Idaho-only structure of the fund.
Phil Hart — Recalled prior committee discussion about license plate replacement and reflective quality.
Phil Hart — Asked whether the plate-reflectivity issue still matters today and whether different technology is now used.
Phil Hart — Clarified that he was asking about state police use of video equipment to automatically read license plates.
Phil Hart — Explained that some counties use video equipment and argued that gloss covers obscuring plates would likely violate the readability requirement.
Phil Hart — Commented that the old reflective material on plates may have deteriorated over time, making replacement necessary after 10 years.
Phil Hart — Said he would follow up on the plate-quality issue before the bill reaches the floor.
Phil Hart — Referenced as wanting to learn more about ISP's position before final floor action.
Phil Hart — Requested to be recorded as a nay vote on the motion.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asks whether this is the first of many specialty plates.
Mike Bealey, District 35 — Identified himself and introduced House Bill 577.
Representative Bealey — Responded that local law enforcement was not concerned and cited existing readability standards.
Josh Keyser — Recognized Senator Kaiser and indicated a motion was in order.
Josh Keyser — Senator Kaiser asks about the language changes proposed for the bill.
Dexton Lake — Dexton Lake identifies himself as representing the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and notes that the concern had been brought to Senator Burtenshaw earlier in the year. He is then asked to explain the proposed language changes to the bill, continuing the same discussion of the Farm Bureau’s concerns and suggested amendments.
Mr. Lang — Was thanked after the committee indicated there were no questions.
Peyton Nunes — Peyton Nunes was introduced as the next testifier, then identified herself as representing the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association (ICOPA) in support of the bill. She explained that removing the phrase 'reasonable judgment' would make the code clearer and cleaner while still allowing law enforcement to use discretion when handling these matters.
Douglas Jones — Douglas Jones, a Meridian resident and retired farmer from the Magic Valley, described his custom farm work and experience with large equipment serving farmers across the region. He then urged the committee to send the bill to the amending order with the sponsor's proposed amendments, noting that Farm Bureau concurred.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams first indicated he had something to say, then moved that, at the sponsor’s request, Senate Bill 1224 be sent to the 14th order of business for possible amendment.
Ben Adams — Senator Ben Adams explains that he was absent for the prior vote and states he will vote no on the bill; this is then recorded as a nay vote.
Alison Rabe — During the hearing on the bill, the chair calls on Senator Rabe after noting no one else is signed up. Senator Rabe comments that ISP pay is an important issue and acknowledges Senator Denharttog's prior remarks and correct recollection that she was the only no vote on the black-and-white plate last session. She then states she will again vote no, staying consistent with her opposition to license plates, and the motion is seconded.
Carrie Semmelroth — Was addressed by the speaker while discussing the bill language.
Joe Palmer, District 20, Meridian — Introduced House Bill 576 and identified himself for the record.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw is recognized and then moves that House Bill 576 be sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw introduced Senate Bill 1224 and explained that it amends Idaho law on slow-moving vehicles to create an exception for large farm, construction, and logging equipment when there is no safe or appropriate place to pull off the road. He referenced supporting materials and used photos and examples of tractors, combines, and tillage equipment to show how wide and long these machines can be, why they must use highways to move between fields, and how difficult it can be to pull them off the road safely. He emphasized that these conditions can create traffic obstruction and danger, especially near narrow roadways, overpasses, steep banks, and roadside obstacles.
Codi Galloway — Moved to approve the minutes of February 12, 2026.
Carrie Semmelroth — Carrie Semmelroth moved to approve the minutes of February 17, 2026, and the motion was subsequently identified as having been made by her and seconded by Senator Cole.