Barbara Ehardt — Representative Barbara Ehardt introduces herself as the member from District 33 in Idaho Falls and Bonneville County, then presents HB 749. She explains that the bill addresses a forced annexation issue affecting property owners, particularly in southeast Idaho, where residents may face major costs—potentially over $100,000—to hook up to utilities or comply with annexation-related requirements. She describes the drafting process as collaborative, noting that the Association of Idaho Cities helped write the language, and frames the bill as a compromise intended to provide the least restrictive approach while addressing the problem. She closes by stating that this legislation reflects that compromise and is the subject of the discussion.
Brooke Green — Brooke Green is referenced multiple times as the House co-sponsor and participant in the discussion, with the speaker noting that Green is also dealing with similar annexation issues and is involved in meetings about the bill language.
Bruce Skaug — A brief procedural exchange includes a joking reference to Senator Denhardt being 'elevated' and a motion second attributed to 'Senator Robbie,' both tied to the same member mention in the discussion.
Dave Lent — Named as the senator who will carry the bill on the floor.
Dave Lent — The witness addresses Chairman Ricks when beginning her testimony.
Ben Toews — Introduces Senate Bill 1354 and explains its purpose.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams later asks questions about the bill’s provisions.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams asks whether the bill’s definition of ADUs would include tiny houses.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams asks whether the definition of accessory dwelling units would include tiny homes.
Ben Adams — Lance says Senator Taves previously brought a similar bill earlier in the session.
Ben Adams — Lisa says Senator Taves did not know about the ADU handout in advance.
Ben Adams — Ben Adams introduced House Bill 661 as a follow-up to last year’s waste-disposal legislation. He explained that the earlier bill opened city markets for small waste haulers by allowing competition over roll-off dumpster services despite franchise agreements, and said that approach has been working. He then argued HB 661 should extend the same competitive framework to counties with franchise agreements, noted that counties are supportive of the proposal, and clarified that the current language adds no new restrictions because last year’s bill already allowed cities to set parameters, which cities later adjusted in response to industry needs.
Ben Adams — Asks whether the witness saw the library director's salary in the Sunshine Report.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams is called on and moves to send House Bill 715 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. He explains his support by arguing that the library director is a taxpayer-funded position at a taxpayer-funded facility, that elected officials currently lack oversight over the role, and that the six-figure salary is paid with taxpayer money. He closes by saying he looks forward to supporting the motion.
Kelly Packer — Kelly Packer was signed up to testify but is not present; another witness steps in for her.
Lance — Lance is asked to step in for Kelly Packer.
Lance Sayers — Lance Sayers, policy analyst for the Association of Idaho Cities, testifies on the bill. He identifies himself as stepping in for Kelly and then explains that while the association appreciates some changes, it still has concerns about the legislation and wants the bill held in committee.
Kelly — Kelly is unable to testify because she is testifying on another bill in the House.
Mr. Sayers — Lance Sayers concludes his testimony and offers to answer questions.
Lisa Anderson — The committee introduces Lisa Anderson as the next witness, and she begins her testimony as the advocacy director for AARP Idaho, noting that the ADU handout was prepared by AARP.
Ms. Anderson — Ms. Anderson, the advocacy director for AARP Idaho, testified in support of the bill, explaining that Idaho is facing rapid population growth alongside a rapidly aging population. She said the legislation would expand flexible housing choices, help people age in place, and recognize the importance of family caregivers, while also respecting private property rights and local decision-making. She urged the committee to move the bill forward and offered to answer questions. In follow-up, she said she did not have statistics on how many cities allow ADUs, but shared that AARP members often describe wanting adult children or other relatives to live in an addition or ADU, though some families are unable to make that arrangement work.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow thanked Ms. Anderson for attending and asked whether AARP members have stories or challenges related to building ADUs, continuing the same discussion about members’ experiences with ADU development.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Robbie questioned whether the bill would change tax obligations or merely alter the audit process, and the follow-up response addressed the senator’s difficulty understanding the bill, keeping the discussion focused on the bill’s meaning and effects.
James Petzke — Chairman Ricks is addressed by speakers during the committee meeting, first in a question-and-answer exchange and then again at the start of testimony as part of the formal introductions.
Hillary Patterson — Hillary Patterson, chapter president for APA Idaho, testified virtually in opposition to the bill as written. She said APA Idaho represents planners statewide, had offered to help draft or review the legislation but was not contacted, and identified multiple concerns with the proposal. Her objections included the bill’s preemptive effect and loss of local control, a desire to raise the population threshold to 10,000, allow more implementation time, limit the bill to detached single-family homes rather than twin homes, let jurisdictions determine off-street parking requirements, and ensure preemption does not force more than one ADU.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Den Hartog was recognized and then asked whether cities are proactively encouraging accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within city limits.
Ms. Patterson — Ms. Patterson was asked whether cities are proactively encouraging ADUs within city limits. She responded that, yes, most communities already allow ADUs in some form, noting that only a couple of communities require a planned unit development process to build one, and implying that broader preemption of local restrictions is problematic.
Jonathan Wardle — Jonathan Wardle is introduced as the next virtual witness, initially cannot be reached, and the committee later reconnects with him. He identifies himself as president of Brighton Development and Brighton Homes, noting that his company also manages HOAs through Brighton Association Management. He supports ADUs as an effective land-use option and asks the committee to prioritize the bill, while requesting clarification that HOAs may use reasonable architectural controls to ensure ADUs fit the design of the adjacent home and neighborhood. He says the proposal is supportable if subsection two reflects that HOA architectural control intent and offers to answer questions.
Brittany Bones — Brittany Bones is introduced as a virtual witness and then identifies herself as an attorney with F.F. Law and chair of the Idaho Community Association Institute Legislative Action Committee. She testifies in opposition to Senate Bill 1354, arguing that it would require single-family developments to allow at least two ADUs per lot and effectively triple the density in communities beyond what was anticipated at development. She concludes by asking the committee to hold the bill and offers to answer questions.
Ken Burgess — Ken Burgess, representing the Idaho Home Builders Association, states the association supports the legislation. He explains that while legislators often ask what can be done about home prices, the bill could help by loosening regulations, increasing housing supply, and expanding the diversity of housing stock, and he urges passage.
Christy Zito — Moved to send Senate Bill 1354 to the 14th order for possible amendment.
C. Grow — Asked whether counties had been consulted and whether they were okay with the proposal.
Dan Garner — Senator Grow is identified as making the motion, though the transcript also says 'Senator Groh,' which appears to be a transcription error.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor is identified as the second on the motion.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor is referenced in the motion context from the prior section.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor asks what prompted the bill.
Ron Taylor — Senator Robbie raises concern that involving city council could politicize libraries.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor asks what role the library board would have going forward.
Ron Taylor — Argues the bill is government overreach and warns it could lead to the board of directors being eliminated next.
Ron Taylor — The chair asks whether Senator Taylor wants to be recorded as voting no.
Jaron Crane — Representative Cornelis introduces himself and explains the bill’s purpose, noting it arose after cities began reviewing how library directors were hired and fired. He addresses concerns about whether the proposed changes could create conflicting oversight, saying cities support the added accountability and that the bill simply adds city council involvement. He further clarifies that the library board will still be involved in day-to-day operations while the bill clarifies the city council’s role in oversight and hiring/firing.
Dale Hawkins — Chairman Ricks is addressed during the response.
Heather Stout — Heather Stout is called to testify virtually, introduces herself as a retired professional librarian and former assistant library director in Idaho, and begins explaining that public library board trustees are appointed by the mayor with city council consent and are responsible for setting policy as well as hiring and, if necessary, firing library directors.
Ms. Dow — The chair thanks Ms. Dow after testimony, indicating this section is the end of her remarks.
Doug Ricks — Chairman Ricks is addressed during the committee proceedings, first in the witness’s introduction and then again in a later exchange that also references Senator Adams, forming a single continuous discussion involving the chairman.
Brian Allman / Brian Alman — Introduces himself as president of the Eagle Public Library Board of Trustees and says he is speaking for himself, neutrally on the bill.
Izzy Burgess — Introduces themself on behalf of the Idaho Library Association and states firm opposition to House Bill 715.
Lynn Drew — Lynn Drew is identified as the last witness on the testimony list, the chair connects with her online, and she then introduces herself as a District 26 resident and director of the Haley Public Library, asking the committee to oppose House Bill 715.
Ms. Drew — The chair thanks Ms. Drew after her testimony and asks for questions.
Jeff Cornilles — The chair calls Representative Cornelis back to close the bill discussion, then follows up by asking whether there is a Senate sponsor for the bill.