Jeff Abrams — Jeff Abrams of the Idaho Conservation League delivers continuous testimony opposing House Bill 678. He introduces himself and explains that, in the league’s view, the bill appears to be a rushed response to concerns arising from the Idaho Fish and Game hunting technology workgroup proposal. He argues the bill could create unintended consequences, including extending the time an incidentally captured listed animal remains in a trap, and notes that shorter 24- to 48-hour inspection rules are common in other Western states. He also raises enforcement and constitutional concerns, questioning how compliance could be checked without potentially violating the Fourth Amendment. He then concludes his testimony and opens the floor for questions.
Dexton Lake — Dexton Lake, representing the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, testifies in support of House Bill 678. He explains that the Idaho Farm Bureau supports the bill because it aligns with humane trapping practices, reduces the need for disruptive physical trap checks, helps allow wolf trapping, and can reduce livestock depredations. His testimony concludes as the chair invites questions.
Jerald Raymond — Moves to send House Bill 678 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Jerald Raymond — Identified as the first member to ask questions.
Jerald Raymond — Asked about tools to offset salary disparities and retain employees in Idaho.
Jerald Raymond — Representative Miller asked about maximizing the Good Neighbor Authority program, access limitations, and mill capacity.
Jerald Raymond — Representative Miller continued asking about road access restrictions, Good Neighbor policy, and mill capacity.
Jerald Raymond — The speaker responded directly to Representative Miller's questions about scaling up the program.
Jerald Raymond — The speaker addressed Representative Miller's question about staff capacity, self-funding, and state support.
Jerald Raymond — The response was directed to Representative Miller regarding funding and staffing under the GNA program.
Jerald Raymond — Representative Miller sought clarification on whether current revenue is enough to expand staff.
Jerald Raymond — The response again addressed Representative Miller's question about funding and staffing.
Jerald Raymond — Representative Miller asked for clarification on whether revenue supports staff expansion.
Jerald Raymond — The response was directed to Representative Miller about whether the program can support additional staffing.
Jerald Raymond — After criticism of the basic campsite fee increase, the chair invites Representative Raymond to ask a question. Raymond then asks for clarification on whether rejecting Section 250 would restore the prior fee schedule and return the fees to their previous levels.
Jerald Raymond — Referenced as having talked about employees earlier in the discussion.
Jerald Raymond — Referenced as having raised employee-related concerns.
Jerald Raymond — The speaker refers to the chairman having visited the site with them.
Dustin Miller — Dustin Miller is introduced and then introduces himself as the Director of the Idaho Department of Lands, beginning the department’s annual update. He outlines the department’s mission, including managing roughly 2.5 million acres of endowment lands, and indicates that staff are present to answer questions.
Mike Moyle — The Idaho Legislature was credited generally for helping improve and modernize the fire program; no individual legislator was singled out by name in this section.
Tom Schultz — Named as U.S. Forest Service Chief and former Department of Lands leader who signed the shared stewardship agreement.
Jim Elvin — Jim Elvin was invited to answer the question about milling capacity and discussed supply, demand, and market issues.
Jim Alvin — Jim Alvin identified himself as the Department of Lands Trust Land Division Administrator and continued discussing mill capacity and market conditions.
Susan Buxton — Introduced herself as Director at the Department of Parks and Recreation and began presenting the pending rules.
Susan Buxton — Introduces herself as being from the Department of Parks and Recreation and begins the annual update.
Steve Miller — Representative Miller asks how camping-fee revenue compares to the costs of operating the system and how that revenue is used, then follows up by comparing it to the proposed increase in the daily-use fee from $7 to $10. The response addresses how the camping-fee revenue supports operations and personnel costs.
Steve Miller — The speaker says this slide addresses a question from Representative Miller.
Jack Nelsen — Representative Nelson raises a question about the state parks pass being purchased through vehicle registration and notes that it has been $12. The speaker confirms Nelson’s understanding, indicates that Sections 075 and 250 are to be rejected, and then continues walking the committee through the agreed changes. Later, the speaker refers back to Nelson’s earlier point about the resident park pass being tied to vehicle registration.
Dori Healey — Director Buxton refers to Dustin's materials or presentation.
Dori Healey — Reference continues to Dustin's materials or presentation.
Dori Healey — The discussion appears to involve Dustin Miller's presentation materials.
Dori Healey — Introduced as deputy director and present to help answer questions.
Dori Healey — Buxton references discussing the Good Neighbor Authority with him.
Dori Healey — Dori Healey first asked to be recognized and indicated she had an important question, then followed up by asking what happened to the zip line at Eagle Island State Park, noting that her family had enjoyed it and that it was one of their favorite activities.
Charlie Shepherd — Vice Chairman Charlie Shepherd responds to dissenting testimony by defending the bill as a better approach to animal welfare. He argues that it allows for a rapid response when a trap is triggered and notes that Fish and Game can establish rules to ensure humane, timely trap checks. The discussion remains focused on supporting the bill before the chair turns back to him procedurally.
Charlie Shepherd — Vice Chairman Shepherd is identified as the member who will carry his bill on the floor and handle the related rules work with Parks and Rec.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz voiced support for the bill and asked whether its camera provisions—requiring an unobstructed view of the trap—might conflict with forthcoming Fish and Game camera rules, or whether any issues would be resolved during rulemaking.
Ellery Tucker Williams — Ellery Tucker Williams, legislative and community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, testified in support of House Bill 678 on behalf of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. He thanked the committee and the bill sponsor, emphasized that wolf management is a top priority, and said the commission appreciated the latitude in the bill to address implementation concerns through rulemaking. He noted that rules could cover issues such as transmitting trail camera placement, the time allowed to remove an animal after a picture is received, and reverting to in-person trap-checking requirements if the camera system fails. He concluded by asking the committee to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and offered to answer questions.
Nick Fasciano — Nick Fasciano, executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, testified in support of the bill. He explained that trapping is difficult and time-consuming, and that the 72-hour requirement, while necessary, creates barriers to participation for some people, including those in places like Boise. He said trapping is important for predator management, appreciated the sponsor’s approach in giving the commission rulemaking latitude, and reiterated strong support for the bill.
David Cannon — Referenced as having noted concerns about employees.
David Cannon — Referenced again in connection with employee concerns.
David Cannon — Referenced as having discussed employee concerns.
David Cannon — Referenced as having noted concerns about employee retention and recruitment.
David Cannon — Identified as the management services director and deputy who said the chapel could be renovated.
David Cannon — Described as the management services director and deputy who doubted the chapel could be renovated.
Dustin Manwaring — Referenced as having previously alluded to the statewide housing/workforce issue.
Cornel Rasor — Moved to approve the minutes from February 5th and February 17th.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Charlie Shepherd presented House Bill 678, explaining that it would allow wolf trappers to use remote cameras on traps to make trapping more humane, more efficient, and less costly. He noted that the 72-hour trap-check requirement would still apply if no video is available, and that the department would be left to adopt rules to fill in details. He argued the bill would help address what he described as an overabundance of wolves, which he said are pushing elk out of the backcountry and into farm and agricultural fields, increasing damage and compensation costs for farmers. He concluded by saying the bill is intended to be clear and not open to manipulation, while relying on Fish and Game to implement helpful rules, and then turned the presentation over to testifiers.