Daniel Foreman — Senator Taves is referenced as having noted that advisory boards exist in many contexts, such as planning and zoning and other matters.
Mark Harris — Senator Grow asked whether most of the bill language was already existing language. The response confirmed that it is existing language and clarified that it applies to counties with populations of 200,000 or more after January 1, 2024.
Dustin Manwaring — Representative Dygert discussed concerns about Cootney County in the context of the legislation, explaining that the county fairgrounds—once located outside town—are now effectively within town limits and serve as an important local concern.
Dustin Manwaring — Representative Dustin Manwaring introduces House Bill 843, explaining that it concerns homeowners exemption proration. He then concludes his opening remarks and invites questions, noting that a few people are signed up to testify and that there does not appear to be any opposition.
Carl Anderson — The committee repeatedly tried to connect with virtual witness Carl Anderson, asking whether he could hear them and urging him to unmute his microphone. They could see him but could not hear him, and after several unsuccessful attempts to establish audio, they decided they would have to come back to him later.
Carl Anderson — Carl Anderson, appearing virtually from Rigby, identified himself as chairman of the Jefferson County Fair Board and testified in support of House Bill 823. He explained that Jefferson County has two fairs, Mud Lake Fair and Rigby Fair, and said the volunteer fair board should retain its governing role because county commissioners are already stretched thin and depend on the board to manage the fairs fiscally and appropriately.
Bat Masterson — Next virtual witness on the list.
Matt Masters — Matt Masters, a longtime Athol, Idaho resident, testified in support of the fairgrounds bill. He said the fairgrounds have been important to his family across generations, that he and his family regularly use the facility and are involved in 4-H/FFA, and that he has served on the Fair Foundation Board. He emphasized that the fairgrounds are vital to North Idaho agriculture because they provide a place for youth to showcase crops and livestock, and he urged the committee to consider the bill.
Tom Daly — Introduced himself as representing the Idaho Association of Counties and said the association voted to oppose the bill.
Doug Okuniewicz — Senator Den Hartog asked follow-up questions about county fairgrounds and fair board governance, including whether Ada County still uses the fair board structure after commissioners took charge and whether the bill is aimed at a county that owns its fairgrounds. The exchange continued with a response addressing her question about county ownership of the fairgrounds.
Luke Malick — Luke Malick is introduced as the next witness and then begins his testimony, identifying himself as speaking on behalf of the North Idaho Foundation Board in support of the legislation.
Mr. Masterson — Referenced as having spoken about generational wealth from the county fairgrounds experience.
Mr. Masterson — Referenced as someone who testified earlier and whose concerns are part of the issue being discussed.
Codi Galloway — Senator Grow welcomed Mr. Malick and then continued questioning the bill, saying he was trying to understand it and that the language appeared unclear or poorly written, with the overall aim of clarifying the bill’s objective.
Codi Galloway — Senator Groh expresses continued uncertainty and frustration with the bill, saying he is wrestling with it and frustrated by the ambiguity. The exchange continues as another speaker responds directly to Groh, agreeing with his concern.
Mr. Malick — Mr. Malick confirmed that the bill is intended to prevent counties from losing fair board governing authority and maintain the status quo for counties in Idaho, after which he was thanked for his clarification.
Mr. Malick — The speaker refers to Mr. Malick's earlier discussion as part of the broader policy debate.
Charlie Shepherd — A speaker addresses Representative Short while asking whether the bill simply maintains the status quo.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Short is addressed in the exchange about whether the bill maintains the status quo.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Short is the likely speaker asking whether Cootney County could maintain a similar fair board structure if the bill fails.
Charlie Shepherd — A legislator is referenced as having discussed related issues earlier; the exact identity is uncertain and may be a transcription error.
Leslie Duncan — The chair introduces Leslie Duncan as a virtual witness, and the committee notes that her written testimony has also been provided in the packet.
Sarah Westbrook — Sarah Westbrook is called to testify, introduces herself for the record, states that she is representing the Idaho Association of Counties, and asks the committee to hold House Bill 823 in committee. A few minutes later, she is invited to respond to Senator Groh’s comments, continuing the same hearing discussion.
Lori Hartog — Senator Den Hartog is thanked for the note about Leslie Duncan's written testimony.
Sarah — Sarah is thanked after her testimony ends.
Josh Tanner — Senator Taves is acknowledged and thanked during the same exchange after raising questions about the legislation, including ownership of the fairground property and whether the bill targets only one county.
Todd Lakey — Senator Taves is addressed in the exchange about whether the bill targets one county or all counties.
Ms. Westbrook — Ms. Westbrook framed the discussion as focused on Kootenai County, said she was not trying to disparage anyone or assume motives, and noted that different options had been recommended, including interest in exploring a more graduated or middle-ground approach. She then explained that fair boards and county commissioners are confused about who is responsible for what, especially regarding financial tracking and where audits fit in, suggesting the language could use a refresh.
Unidentified committee member — Asked whether counties have discussed rewriting the section or finding a middle-ground approach instead of an all-or-nothing threshold.
Unidentified speaker — Made a pun about the 'fairness of fair boards,' prompting a light exchange.
David Fair / Dave Phail — Telephone witness identified himself with a name that sounded like David Fair or Dave Phail.
Doug Ricks — Senator Ricks welcomed the witness and invited testimony.
Dave Phail / Dave Fair — Dave Phail, also known as Dave Fair, testified in support of the amendment and explained that his interest comes from decades of involvement in the fair industry. He described serving on the North Idaho Fair Board for 20 years, his family’s connection to fairs and concession work, and his experience as a parks and recreation director in Skagit County. He emphasized that fair boards are working boards and concluded by framing the issue as how to continue serving communities.
Braden Jensen — Braden Jensen was introduced as the next witness and then testified on behalf of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation in support of the bill, emphasizing support for the legislation and the importance of county fairs.
Mr. Jensen — Concluded testimony in support of House Bill 823 and thanked the committee.
C. Grow — Referenced as being exactly right about maintaining the status quo.
C. Grow — Moved to hold House Bill 823 in committee.
C. Grow — Made the motion to hold House Bill 823 in committee.
C. Grow — Indicated he had a substitute motion.
C. Grow — Speaker refers to the earlier Farm Bureau testimony and agricultural support in the context of his substitute motion.
C. Grow — Named as making the substitute motion to send House Bill 823 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; likely a transcription error for Senator Grow.
C. Grow — Identified as seconding the substitute motion; likely a transcription error and questionable.
— Identified as seconding the motion to hold House Bill 823 in committee; name appears to be a transcription error and is questionable.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor says the issue is about local control and praises the Ada County Commissioners.
Tammy Nichols — The speaker refers to 'the good Senator Burnt over there,' likely meaning Senator Bernt.
Treg Bernt — The speaker references Senator Bernt in support of the local-control argument.
Josh Keyser — Senator Taves says his district is in Kootenai County and that he spends a lot of time at the fair.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Den Hartog moves to send House Bill 843 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Shawn Dygert — Was invited to present House Bill 823.
Shawn Dygert — Representative Dygert thanked Chairman Ricks and expressed appreciation for the people who testified remotely by video or phone.