— Indicated he had read the March 3, 2026 minutes.
Tammy Nichols — Moved to approve the March 5, 2026 minutes.
Tammy Nichols — Senator Nichols asked about the comparison chart for the traditional versus military route, noting that the military route appears to require more and requesting clarification on the qualifications and how they compare to the traditional path.
Tammy Nichols — The chair addresses her as the senator asking questions in committee.
Tammy Nichols — The transcript appears to misidentify the questioning senator; context suggests a senator is asking Wheeler to explain his insurance-company claim.
Tammy Nichols — Senator Nichols is recognized to speak and asks how many chaplains actually meet the qualification being discussed.
Heather Scott — Introduced House Bill 750 and explained it concerns programmable money protections.
Heather Scott — Heather Scott responds to questions about the bill, explaining that the technology is already operational and that the proposal is similar to debanking protections. She clarifies that the bill includes safeguards to prevent Visa companies from debanking users and distinguishes these protections from programmable money, which operates at the money level itself. Later references ask her to fill in missing testimony and refer back to her earlier explanation of the bill’s concerns.
Treg Bernt — A senator is addressed as 'Senator Burnt,' likely Senator Bernt, in response to Representative Scott.
Treg Bernt — A senator is addressed as 'Senator Bernt' in the exchange about whether the system is operational.
Treg Bernt — A senator is not mentioned here; the prior speaker label confusion does not affect this section.
Treg Bernt — Senator Burnt discussed the chaplain testing issue, saying he did not think chaplains would have a problem taking the test but was concerned about creating a conflict with existing code. He noted that the statutory language says chaplains may not be required to take the test and ultimately said he would defer to the committee if that was its will.
Brian Lenney — Senator Brian Lenney begins questioning the bill’s effect and follows up by asking Representative Scott whether the bill functions like a debanking measure that would prevent discrimination.
Brian Lenney — Senator Lenney moved to send House Bill 750 as amended to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the committee then proceeded to the roll call vote on the motion, with one member recorded as voting no and Vice Chairman Lenney recorded as voting yes.
Brian Lenney — The transcript indicates Senator Lenney responded after Morris's testimony.
Brian Lenney — Asked Morris why chaplains should not have to complete the same training and licensure requirements as counselors.
Brian Lenney — The chair or senator objected to repeated references to the other side of the issue, and the transcript then addresses 'Senator' in response.
Brian Lenney — Referenced as having a comment and a quick follow-up.
Brian Lenney — Noted as having a quick follow-up comment.
Brian Lenney — Acknowledged as speaking next; likely a transcription variant of Senator Lenney or another senator, but uncertain.
Brian Lenney — Identified as making the motion to send House Bill 545 to the floor.
Catherine Austin Fitts — The chair announces that testimony will move to Catherine Austin Fitts via virtual appearance.
Catherine Austin Fitts — The committee attempts to connect with Ms. Fitts, but she appears muted.
Catherine Austin Fitts — The committee continues trying to reach Ms. Fitts before moving on.
Catherine Austin Fitts — David says he is working with Catherine Austin Fitts on presentations related to the legislation.
Catherine Austin Fitts — David says he is working with Catherine Austin Fitts on presentations about the legislation.
David Likedy — The chair transitions to David Likedy as the next witness, with some initial confusion about whether he is appearing virtually or in person, and then checks whether he can hear the committee.
David Lichty — David Lichty introduces himself as a Utah attorney who worked with Senator Stratton and state treasurer Marlowe Oaks on similar legislation in Utah. He then explains that the key challenge with programmable money is that the control technology is embedded in the money itself, meaning it operates at the level of the unit of exchange. He concludes that this is the essence of his testimony and ties it to Utah’s UCC approach, noting that Utah has already treated central bank digital currencies and programmable monies as not recognized as money under that framework.
James Ruchti — A senator is addressed as 'Senator Recti' and asks why the bill removes UCC references and creates a new statutory framework.
James Ruchti — Senator James Ruchti is called on and appears in the roll call, is referenced during motion proceedings, then formally introduces House Bill 562 as the State Senator for District 29 (Pocatello). He answers questions about the bill and concludes his remarks.
James Ruchti — Asked about concerns that the proposed route could affect the ability to diagnose mental health conditions.
James Ruchti — Spoke in support of the concern about outsiders not understanding a profession.
James Ruchti — He votes aye on the substitute motion.
James Ruchti — He votes no on the original motion.
Mr. Lichty — The witness is asked to explain why the UCC should not cover programmable money and why a new statutory scheme is needed.
Christy Zito — Called on to ask a quick question.
Christy Zito — Asked whether participation in programmable money is optional and whether a person can exit later.
Christy Zito — Addressed by the speaker in response.
Christy Zito — Seconded the motion to send House Bill 750 as amended to the floor.
Christy Zito — Supported the bill, comparing it to AI regulation and debanking protections.
Christy Zito — Called in the roll call; vote not captured in the transcript excerpt.
Christy Zito — Voted no in the roll call.
Christy Zito — Introduced a practical question and asked to remove emotion from the discussion.
Christy Zito — Asked what happens when a counseled person needs a diagnosis or more help.
Christy Zito — Referenced as agreeing with the concern about diagnosis and care.
Christy Zito — Called on to ask another question.
Christy Zito — Asked to speak to the motion and began explaining her perspective.
Christy Zito — During the roll call vote, Senator Christy Zito is called and responds 'No' on the original motion.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Ward Engelking stated she would vote no on the motion, citing limited familiarity with programmable money and insufficient time for questions, and then formally voted no in the roll call.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking was identified as seconding the motion on House Bill 562 as amended.