Clint Hostetler — Representative Clint Hostetler was called on during the minutes approval item, then thanked the chair and moved to approve the minutes from Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Clint Hostetler — Asked about the impetus for the bill and whether the Attorney General’s office was consulted.
Clint Hostetler — Moved to send House Bill 896 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Clint Hostetler — Moves to send House Bill 856 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Chris Mathias — Thanked for work on the minutes.
Chris Mathias — Representative Matthias and Representative Gannon engaged in a sustained discussion about how the bill would apply to legislators and public officers. Matthias questioned whether a misdemeanor DUI or other statutory violation could trigger referral under the bill, what counts as a statutory prescription for a public officer, and whether an oath to uphold state law itself creates a duty. The exchange also raised whether legislators are exempt from the bill, with Gannon arguing that the bill could be weaponized, lacked confidentiality and threshold protections, and appeared to exempt legislators such as Matthias. Gannon ultimately stated strong opposition to the bill on those grounds.
Chris Mathias — Representative Matthias was recorded as opposing the motion.
Mike Moyle — Mike Moyle is discussed as the Speaker connected to H-896: he is identified as the likely sponsor/presenter, Representative Shirts is presenting the bill on his behalf because he was tied up with another engagement, and he is also referenced as saying a second version of the legislation would come back.
Mike Moyle — Referenced as the Speaker for whom the bill is being presented.
Jason Monks — Referenced as a possible presenter for H-896.
John Shirts — Introduced himself and explained he is presenting the bill for the Speaker.
John Shirts — Was identified as the sponsor being questioned about the fine amount and fiscal note.
John Shirts — Answered that the bill is silent on whether referrals are public or confidential and said the referring official could choose either approach.
John Shirts — Was addressed in the response about whether the bill is partisan and whether safeguards or thresholds should be added.
John Shirts — Was addressed again as the sponsor while Representative Matthias began asking about the definition of prohibition.
John Shirts — Explained that a DUI would not trigger the bill because the bill is aimed at duties imposed on a public officer, not general criminal laws.
John Shirts — Clarified that the bill would be triggered when a law imposes a duty on a public officer or entity in that role, not by ordinary criminal conduct.
John Shirts — Responded that general criminal laws applicable to every citizen are different from duties attached to holding office.
John Shirts — Referenced as 'Mr. Schurz' in the prior exchange about the bill's scope.
John Shirts — The chair invited him to respond to negative testimony and complimented him as an 'excellent pinch hitter.'
John Shirts — The chair invited him to respond to negative testimony.
John Shirts — Asked who would carry the bill on the floor and suggested making the Speaker the carrier.
John Shirts — Was named as the floor carrier for the bill.
John Shirts — The chairman was welcomed to the podium; the name appears to be a transcription error for Chairman Skog.
John Shirts — Was called on for questions.
John Shirts — Moved to send Senate Bill 1260 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
John Shirts — Responded that he had to be careful because of ongoing litigation.
John Shirts — Was identified as making the motion to move the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
John Shirts — Introduced himself and described Senate Bill 1369.
John Shirts — Was named as the floor carrier for Senate Bill 1369.
Edward Hill — Moved to send House 896 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Edward Hill — The chair noted that the motion had already been made by Representative Hill.
Edward Hill — Chairman Skog was thanked in connection with the bill, including recognition of his help as one of the sponsors and for including the press in the work on the legislation.
Edward Hill — Representative Ted Hill continued presenting SB 1311, citing DUI fatality and injury statistics and describing the bill as an important tool for families affected by these tragedies. He then requested that the bill be sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. In the same discussion, he responded to concerns by acknowledging the system’s imperfections while emphasizing its usefulness and sharing that he lost his daughter to impaired drivers. The broader exchange also referenced his collaboration with other legislators on the bill.
Edward Hill — Representative Hill is told to take his seat as the committee moves to vote, and he is identified as the member who will carry the bill on the floor.
John Gannon — Representative John Gannon asked whether the bill’s definition of public employee included public officials and other personnel, then followed up with questions about the referral process to the Attorney General, including whether referrals would be public or confidential. He also raised concern that the referral authority could be used as a political weapon, especially in partisan or primary contests. The sponsor responded that the bill’s structure and limited referral authority were intended to prevent that kind of misuse.
Monica Church — Monica Church was part of a continuing exchange about the bill’s coverage and exemptions. The discussion first clarified that the bill would include public employees and others with a duty to enforce the law, then moved to a follow-up question about why the legislative and judicial branches are exempt from the bill.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Ilana Rubel followed up on the bill’s rationale, asking whether it was prompted by more than the Boise pride flag incident and requesting any other examples of perceived noncompliance with the law. The response addressed her question, and she reiterated that she would appreciate any example beyond the Boise flag situation.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Rubel asks whether, if the bill becomes law, a presentation like the death-scene photo presentation she and others previously saw at the Ada County Coroner’s Office would still be permitted.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Rubel expresses sympathy and moves to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Ilana Rubel — Was identified as making the motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass record.
Ilana Rubel — Was identified as the sponsor of the motion.
Ilana Rubel — Raised a constituent concern about a one-year interlock restriction versus a two-year restriction and judicial discretion.
Ilana Rubel — Raised a constituent concern about an interlock restriction period and judicial discretion.
Mark Sauter — Mark Sauter questioned the sponsor about the bill’s purpose and scope, noting that it was not drafted solely for the Boise flag incident and asking for additional examples. He then followed up with concern that the bill’s fines could reach $50,000 and might disproportionately affect small cities.
Charlie Shepherd — Responded that he had been looking up the term 'prescription' and was prepared to address the question.
Jonathan Wheatley — Jonathan Wheatley testified on the bill, initially indicating opposition unless a small amendment was made. He proposed changing the language to replace reference to a county commission chair with the county prosecutor, identified himself as being with the Association of Idaho Cities, and then responded to questions about the section’s scope, agreeing that legislators appear to be exempt under the provision and that including them would not be a problem for cities.
Heather Scott — Asked Jonathan Wheatley who he was lobbying for.
Heather Scott — Representative Heather Scott is recognized to present House Bill 856 and begins by introducing the bill, explaining that it was brought to her by a University of Idaho law student who is a third-generation mortician.
Heather Scott — Asked for clarification about what the courts would like to see.