Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 20th, 2026

Senate State Affairs Committee

Key Moments

  • Brandon Shippy — Made the motion to introduce the RSs.
  • Brandon Shippy — Called on for the next motion on House Bill 795.
  • Brandon Shippy — Moved House Bill 795 to the floor.
  • Brandon Shippy — The transcript says 'Senator Shippy,' which corresponds to Brandon Shippy in the expected member list.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy makes the motion to send HCR 32 to the floor.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy's motion on HCR 32 is recorded.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy is called next, and Brandon Shippy identifies himself for HB 817.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Brandon Shippy introduces himself as the Senate sponsor for HB 817.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy explains the purpose of HB 817.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy was prompted to close on the bill and introduce his son, then thanked the committee for hearing the legislation and delivered his closing remarks.
  • Brandon Shippy — Begins questioning the witness after testimony.
  • Brandon Shippy — Asks the witness for an example of how private wastewater corporations operate and what challenges they create.
  • Brandon Shippy — Addressed by the witness during explanation.
  • Brandon Shippy — Invited to ask a follow-up question.
  • Brandon Shippy — Asks how many private corporations would be affected by the 100-connection cap and where they are located.
  • Brandon Shippy — Asks whether the monopoly is created and sustained by government regulation because customers lack alternatives.
  • Brandon Shippy — States support for the motion and says the bill deserves broader discussion.
  • Brandon Shippy — Explains support for the motion while noting he is unfamiliar with the bill's background.
  • Brandon Shippy — Possibly referenced as 'Clerk Trippel' is not a member; no member mention here. The text later references 'Representative Raibold' in prior context, but this section itself does not clearly identify a member beyond the uncertain names.
  • Brandon Shippy — Referenced through 'Shippy Jr.' in the audience.
  • Jim Guthrie — Addressed as Mr. Chairman.
  • Jim Guthrie — Explained he was allowing the motion due to the late session and hearing volume.
  • Jim Guthrie — Called for the vote and then moved to the next item by phone.
  • Jim Guthrie — Indicated the appointment vote would occur at the next meeting.
  • Jim Guthrie — Closed out the Tracy item and moved to the next appointment.
  • Jim Guthrie — Called for the vote on House Bill 795.
  • Jim Guthrie — Transitioned the meeting to the next item and yielded the floor.
  • Jim Guthrie — Presented Senate Bill 1398 and explained the purpose of the tweaks.
  • Jim Guthrie — Referenced the Secretary of State's office and yielded time to a witness if present.
  • Jim Guthrie — Argued for returning to a presidential primary because caucuses exclude military voters, voters abroad, and elderly voters.
  • Jim Guthrie — Invited the Secretary of State to testify.
  • Jim Guthrie — McGrane said he had worked on the issue with Senator Guthrie.
  • Jim Guthrie — McGrane told the committee members they could relate because they are on the primary ballots.
  • Jim Guthrie — McGrane referenced Senator Guthrie's note about the cleanup changes.
  • Jim Guthrie — Chairman Jim Guthrie is addressed during the close of testimony and discussion on Senate Bill 1398. He declines to add further remarks, moves the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, invites discussion, and then emphasizes the importance of moving to a vote. The exchange includes appreciation for his work with the Secretary of State, followed by final thanks and a request to yield remaining time to Representative David Levitt.
  • Jim Guthrie — The witness addresses Chairman Guthrie at the start of testimony, and the chairman responds by thanking the witness and opening the hearing to questions.
  • Jim Guthrie — Jim Guthrie presents House Bill 831 and explains its purpose regarding polling places in schools. Shortly afterward, he is referenced in a lighthearted aside by another speaker, who jokingly says they would never describe Senator Guthrie as the 'JV team.'
  • Jim Guthrie — Jim Guthrie is addressed in the exchange and thanked, along with other supporters, for backing the legislation.
  • Kelly Anthon — Kelly Anthon is repeatedly noted as seconding motions during the meeting, including the motion by Senator Shippey and a later motion by Senator Den Hartog.
  • Kelly Anthon — Kelly Anthon supports the bill as a good compromise and says people should be able to participate in choosing the president. He notes that he previously supported a March presidential primary and a May primary for other elections, but says circumstances have changed. He concludes that voting should be made easy and that Idaho should maximize turnout.
  • Kelly Anthon — The transcript says 'Senator Linton,' which appears to be a transcription error; no exact match is available in the expected member list.
  • Kelly Anthon — Possibly referenced as 'Senator Burnt' or similar in a transcription error; context suggests a legislator supporting the bill, but the exact name is uncertain.
  • Treg Bernt — Made the motion on Skip Smeiser's reappointment.
  • Treg Bernt — Likely the motion maker; transcript says Senator Burns, but context suggests Senator Bernt.
  • Treg Bernt — Identified as the second on the motion.
  • Treg Bernt — Was addressed as the next speaker after House Bill 795 passed.
  • Treg Bernt — Asked how long Idaho had presidential primaries in the March period and what prompted the change.
  • Treg Bernt — Asked about the history of presidential primaries in March and the reasons for changing the system.
  • Treg Bernt — Vice Chair Treg Bernt is referenced multiple times in quick succession as the member seconding or being identified in the procedural motion, though the transcript contains likely misrecognitions of his name as 'Senator Taves' and 'Senator Berndt.'
  • Treg Bernt — Treg Bernt introduced House Bill 872 as a ballot-format bill, then concluded his presentation and opened the floor for questions. The chair immediately followed by asking whether there were any questions for Senator Bernt before moving on to testimony.