James Ruchti — Senator Robbie questioned the bill’s added reporting burden, arguing that nonprofits and IHFA already face rigorous audits and that financial audits do not capture outcomes. He also challenged why the bill is limited to ESG and COC grants instead of other federal pass-through grants, and suggested that existing HUD system performance measures may be easier and more appropriate to use than requesting additional case-note or referral-related data. Overall, he urged reliance on existing, readily available HUD measures rather than creating new, more burdensome reporting requirements.
David Leavitt — Was called on to respond to the question.
David Leavitt — Responded that many grants pass through, but these were the ones that caught their attention and are the focus of the bill.
David Leavitt — Explained that the bill focuses on selected grants and that financial audits do not capture outcomes.
David Leavitt — Was called on to respond; likely a transcription error for Representative Ehlers.
David Leavitt — Explained that an audit of a large organization may not examine smaller grants in fine detail and said Senator Galloway would address other points.
David Leavitt — Said the audit may not reach the desired level of detail and yielded to Senator Galloway.
David Leavitt — Likely a transcription error for Representative Ehlers; responded by distinguishing internal versus external audits.
David Leavitt — Said the sponsors worked with IHFA on what data is already available and argued the bill could benefit nonprofits by showing outcomes.
Jordan Redman — Senator Galloway explained that while some data is already available, the bill is aimed at collecting essential outcome data that is currently missing. He emphasized that the state needs this information to understand what is happening, compare program approaches, determine what is working, and assess whether housing-related services are helping people become independent and reach stable housing faster.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Taylor asked what would happen to the information being collected, specifically whether it could be used to reward or punish organizations and what consequences would follow if outcomes were poor.
Jacob Dupuis — Was invited to testify virtually and asked to introduce himself and his affiliation.
Jacob Dupuy — Jacob Dupuy testified in support of bill 1347 on behalf of Cicero Action, describing the reporting measures as narrowly focused and straightforward, and concluded by urging the committee to vote yes in support of the bill.
Chris Cargill — Chris Cargill, introduced as a virtual testifier, testified about the importance of transparency in the use of public funds. He argued that the requirement is straightforward and not onerous, emphasizing that it is meant to show where taxpayer dollars go.
Chris Cargill — Chris Cargill, president of Mountain States Policy Center, testified in support of the bill, arguing that Idaho faces a housing shortage of about 44,000 units and needs more homes. He said the measure is an important step toward protecting property rights and expanding free markets, and noted that it would help move people from rentals into homeownership without overriding HOA protections. He concluded by thanking the committee for its consideration.
Ben Adams — Senator Anthon moved to send Senate Bill 1347 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then spoke in support of his motion, indicating the bill would increase confidence and transparency.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams questions the bill’s definition of a 'starter home subdivision,' asking whether the term is already defined in the code and seeking clarification on how the definition would work in practice. He uses a hypothetical example involving multiple houses on an acre lot and asks for further insight into how the provision would be applied.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams asked follow-up questions about the definition of a starter home, pressing for clarification on what the concept means and whether there is a clear visual or conceptual picture of what a starter home looks like. The exchange remained focused on explaining the starter-home idea, with a brief name correction in the transcript that did not change the topic.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams participates in the affordable-housing discussion by first telling the witness that no one on the dais blames his generation for the housing situation, then asking his age and what he thinks a starter home looks like. The exchange remains focused on understanding the witness’s perspective on housing affordability, and a later reference to Adams comes in the context of working together on the housing legislation.
Ben Adams — Vice Chairman Adams votes nay.
— Seconded the motion to send Senate Bill 1347 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
— Was addressed by Senator Taves in the discussion of the restriction and market demand.
— Was referenced as having given the speaker time for comments.
Ron Taylor — Recorded as voting nay on the motion.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor expresses support for the bill as a step toward addressing the housing problem and then votes aye on the measure.
Doug Okuniewicz — Presents the bill and invites questions.
Doug Okuniewicz — Asked to explain how the bill would reduce construction costs.
Doug Okuniewicz — Explains that land cost is a major component of home cost and smaller lots reduce costs.
Doug Okuniewicz — Reiterates that smaller lots reduce land cost and therefore lower home prices.
Doug Okuniewicz — Says federal incentives are outside the scope of the committee or task force.
Doug Okuniewicz — Asked to clarify whether the code already defines 'starter home.'
Doug Okuniewicz — Says there is not already a code definition and explains the bill’s intent to allow smaller lot sizes.
Doug Okuniewicz — Bill sponsor is addressed by the witness.
Doug Ricks — Chairman is addressed as the presiding committee chair.
Doug Ricks — Begins questioning the bill sponsor about construction costs.
Doug Ricks — Asks about the bill’s effect on construction costs.
Doug Ricks — The questioner asks about federal incentives for developers to reduce land costs.
Doug Ricks — Presiding chair is addressed by the witness.
Doug Ricks — The roll call begins with Chairman Ricks being called.
Hillary Patterson — Hillary Patterson appears virtually, confirms audio, and identifies herself as Chapter President of APA Idaho. She testifies that APA Idaho represents planners statewide and opposes the bill as written, urging either rejection or amendment. She notes that the organization had a seat on the interim land use and housing committee but believes the bill does not reflect the committee’s recommendations. She then recommends amendments such as raising the population threshold to 10,000, allowing more implementation time, adding setbacks, and using discretionary approval.
Sabrina Minshaw — Introduced as the next witness to testify.
Ms. Patterson — The chair closes questions to Hillary Patterson.
Ms. Minchall — The speaker agrees that the market for rental housing contributes to homes being bought up, and says the focus is supply for homeownership.
Kelly Packer — Executive Director for the Association of Idaho Cities; testifies in opposition to Senate Bill 1352.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Adams is noted as having a question for Packer.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Adams asks whether the proposed changes are already prepared or still need discussion.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Adams continues the question about whether the proposed changes are ready or need further discussion.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Adams asks how cities are addressing the first-time home buyer problem at the local level.
Ms. Packer — Packer is asked whether the suggested changes are ready to go.
Ms. Packer — Packer is asked how cities are tackling first-time home buyer issues locally.