Van Burtenshaw — Made the motion to send House Bill 503 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
James Woodward — Raises a concern about the merger and indicates it will not change his vote.
James Woodward — Introduces himself as Senator Jim Woodward from Legislative District 1 and presents Senate Bill 1303.
James Woodward — Responds that hydro is sustainable and renewable, and that including it is the intent.
James Woodward — Asks whether hydro would be included as a sustainable source.
James Woodward — Referenced for including transmission in the discussion.
James Woodward — Was asked for closing remarks and declined to add any.
Nancy Cheney — Written testimony in the docket is noted as being against the merger.
Ms. Younger — Referenced as the person in the office who would help coordinate permitting contacts.
Aaron Menenberg — Introduces himself as Idaho Policy Manager for Renewable Northwest.
Kevin Cook — Made the motion to send Senate Bill 1303 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Identified himself and his district while introducing the bill.
Kevin Cook — Senator Kevin Cook responds to questions about the geothermal system’s water reinjection process. He says he recently visited the site and observed where the water is pumped out, then explains that it is pumped back down to a much greater depth, describing the extraction and reinjection depths as part of the system’s operation.
Mark Harris — Senator Mark Harris is identified as the second on House Bill 503 and then formally presents the bill, explaining that it would move the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Jim Guthrie — Identified as seconding the motion.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Guthrie is introduced as the next questioner and then asks a follow-up line of questions about the geothermal system, focusing on temperature differences, metering, gallons per minute, pump sizing, and whether any water loss or evaporation could affect the system’s volume and losses.
Jim Guthrie — Asked about the application process and who decides whether an application is accepted.
Jim Guthrie — Confirmed his understanding that the Department of Water Resources makes the acceptance decision.
Jim Guthrie — Referenced as the prior speaker/testifier whose comments are being discussed.
Jim Guthrie — His assumption about agency review is affirmed.
Jim Guthrie — Declines to offer closing remarks.
Jim Guthrie — Asked whether he had closing remarks before the vote.
Jim Guthrie — Moves House Bill 676 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Jim Guthrie — Seconded the motion on House Bill 676.
Jim Guthrie — Introduces House Joint Memorial 14 and identifies himself as from Idaho Legislative District 32, Bonneville County, Idaho Falls.
Jim Guthrie — Referenced in a light exchange about whether Mr. Arrington gets frequent flyer miles for appearing before the committee.
Jim Guthrie — Joked about as having shut down the witness's repeated attempts to get frequent flyer miles.
Kathy Grismeyer — Kathy Grismeyer, Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the City of Boise, testifies in support of House Bill 676. She explains that the bill would allow municipal geothermal systems to plan water-right development on a longer timeline that better matches development schedules and business demand. In response to questions, she clarifies that connecting new customers to the geothermal system depends on location and may require different infrastructure, and that the bill is limited to updating the statute to include municipal geothermal systems as an allowable use without prohibiting other geothermal development outside the jurisdiction.
Joe Palmer — Senator Cook is referenced in the ongoing geothermal discussion, first for explaining reinjection depth and then for discussing the idea of drilling wells to tap into the geothermal aquifer.
Bruce Smith — Bruce Smith was introduced as the next witness, then identified himself as a retired water attorney speaking on behalf of the Boise-Warm Springs Water District, and was thanked after concluding his testimony.
Roger Batt — Roger Batt is introduced as the next witness and then identifies himself as representing the Treasure Valley Water Users Association.
Ryan McGoldrick — Introduced as the next witness; the chair asked him to state his name for the record.
Ryan McEldrick — Testified in support of House Bill 676 on behalf of Conservation Voters for Idaho.
Kathy Grismeier — Identified herself as being with the City of Boise and confirmed that the Department of Water Resources retains oversight.
Alden Koenig — Alden Koenig identifies himself as representing the Idaho Grain Producers Association and testifies on behalf of the association in support of the memorial and Idaho water storage expansion.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Anthon is introduced and then identifies himself as Kelly Anthon from District 27, presenting Senate Bill 1337. Later in the discussion, he is referenced again in connection with the reasons and problem that prompted the bill, keeping the focus on the bill’s purpose and background.
Paul Arrington — Paul Arrington appears as a witness for the Idaho Water Users Association in support of the bill.
Paul Arrington — Testifies on behalf of the Idaho Water Users Association and says members support thoughtful cost-cutting and streamlining.
Paul Arrington — Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association testifies in support of House Bill 676, explaining that he has worked with the city for about 18 months and that the city put in substantial effort to develop a solution that satisfies the relevant requirements, balancing flexibility with injury analysis and other normal water-right considerations.
Paul Arrington — Identifies himself as being with the Idaho Water Users Association and begins testimony in support of the memorial.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden is called on, then asks for clarification about the two-thirds board vote requirement before making a motion, and is called on again as the motion process continues.
Mr. Arrington — Confirms that the local board must act by a two-thirds vote to adopt the change.
Mr. Arrington — Joked about as a frequent participant before the committee.
Carrie Semmelroth — Introduces herself as State Senator District 22 and begins presenting House Bill 737.
Van Burtenshaw — Seconded the motion; likely Senator Van Orden.