Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 27th, 2026

Senate State Affairs Committee

Key Moments

  • Mark Harris — Representative Haas is addressed regarding the liquor code sections and the need for the Department of Liquor to explain why the code areas are not used.
  • Mark Harris — The chair jokes with Representative Scott about the RS coming from the executive branch and notes he forgot his notes.
  • Mark Harris — The chair recognizes the motion and conducts the vote on RS 32900.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Scott is thanked for the executive-branch-originated RS and told he did well.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Alfieri makes the motion to introduce RS 32900.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Boyle is called up to present House Bill 650.
  • Mark Harris — The questioner is referred to as 'Mr. Bery' in the transcript; the context suggests a committee member asking about elections and federal prohibitions.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Haas asks about sovereign tribes and how the bill would interact with those rights.
  • Mark Harris — Chairman Crane is thanked in the follow-up and the speaker raises concerns about tribal sovereignty and the rebuttable presumption.
  • Mark Harris — Chairman Crane is thanked in the follow-up; the speaker later says comments will be saved until there is a motion.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Boyle is thanked and asked what prompted the bill.
  • Mark Harris — Moved to send House Bill 650 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
  • Mark Harris — The chair calls on Representative Crane/Dyke for discussion after the motion.
  • Mark Harris — Called on to speak in favor of the motion; name appears garbled in the transcript.
  • Mark Harris — Asked to remain available to respond from her seat.
  • Mark Harris — Speaks in favor of the motion, citing litigation involving federal agencies and overreach.
  • Mark Harris — Referenced as having explained the bill's intent.
  • Mark Harris — Says he is torn on the bill, supports state sovereignty, and questions why the 10th Amendment is not sufficient.
  • Mark Harris — States he is torn on the bill and questions whether the 10th Amendment already covers the issue.
  • Mark Harris — Says the bill is a coin toss for him and remains undecided.
  • Mark Harris — Comments in favor of the motion and notes additional areas not listed in the bill.
  • Mark Harris — Referenced as the member whose point is being addressed.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Haas is likely a mis-transcription of Representative Harris in the committee context.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Hoss/Haas appears to refer to Representative Harris, who is speaking about litigation costs and constitutional preemption.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Haas is thanked after the prior comment; likely a transcription issue in the speaker label.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Boyle is thanked; the speaker continues to argue in favor of the bill.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Boyle is asked to yield and explain how the bill would be applied.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Boyle explains the bill would be enforced by the Attorney General if the federal government acts outside its authority.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Haas is likely a mis-transcription; the comment continues the discussion about application and enforcement.
  • Mark Harris — Representative Boyle is listed in the roll call, though the vote is not clearly captured in the transcript fragment.
  • James Ruchti — Representative Scott and Representative Ruchti are noted as having worked on House Bill 650, and the discussion then moves to Representative Boyle as questions are opened on the bill.
  • James Ruchti — Raises concerns that the bill resembles a secessionist conversation and a transfer-and-sale conversation.
  • James Ruchti — Adds a point that the phrase 'excluding Federal Reserve water rights' was intended to incorporate tribal waters.
  • James Ruchti — Explains that 'excluding Federal Reserve water rights' was included to incorporate tribal waters.
  • James Ruchti — Begins a comment after the chair rules debate in opposition to the motion.
  • James Ruchti — Explains the water-rights language was included to incorporate tribal waters.
  • James Ruchti — Returns to the floor to continue opposition and asks for clarity on the bill's scope.
  • James Ruchti — Representative Church is called on, and Representative Haas is then recognized for an additional comment.
  • James Ruchti — Representative Scott is recorded as voting yes in the roll call.
  • James Ruchti — Representative Scott is recorded as voting yes in the roll call; the transcript continues the vote tally.
  • James Ruchti — Representative Church votes no.
  • Jim Guthrie — The chair is addressed during the motion and discussion on House Bill 650.
  • Jim Guthrie — Chairman Crane is recorded as voting yes; likely a transcription error for the chair's name in the roll call.
  • Braden Jensen — Testified on behalf of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation in strong support of House Bill 650.
  • Lori Hartog — Raises concerns that the legislation creates additional presumptions beyond a simple statement.
  • Kelly Anthon — Representative Alfieri asks how the bill would be applied and requests an example.
  • Kelly Anthon — Representative Alfieri votes yes in the roll call.