Todd Lakey — Introduced Senate Bill 1396 and explained that it repeals Idaho Code 67-452 related to the Pacific Fisheries Task Force.
Kevin Cook — Makes the motion to send HCR 34 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Issued a challenge to recruit two or three people for the page program and send them back next year.
Ron Taylor — Seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1396.
James Petzke — James Petsky introduced himself as the representative for District 21 in Meridian and presented House Bill 855, explaining the residency requirement change for lifetime hunting or fishing licenses. He was then invited to close the presentation and summarized the bill’s purpose, including the cost savings and the loophole it is intended to address, before beginning to respond to Senator Hart’s question about alternatives to the bill’s approach.
Christy Zito — Senator Hart questions the bill’s lifetime license provisions, asking how five-year residency would be verified, whether there are separate resident and non-resident licenses, what benefit a non-resident would have in keeping the license, whether licenses are reissued annually or retained for five years, and whether it would be better to remove the license if someone moves out of state. Later, Hart follows up by asking whether a grandfather clause would solve the issue and whether the bill creates different classes of Idahoans.
Ellery Tucker Williams — Ellery Tucker Williams, Legislative and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, testified in support of House Bill 855 on behalf of the Department and the Fish and Game Commission. She explained that lifetime hunting and fishing licenses require the purchaser to be a resident at the time of purchase, but that non-residents who hold such licenses still pay non-resident prices while being treated as residents for tag purposes. She also described the annual activation process, during which license holders must come in each year and residency is verified.
Jack Nelsen — Referenced in the surrounding discussion as part of the committee handling the bill.
Jack Nelsen — Seconds the motion on HCR 34 and is then asked to help with the minutes.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Taylor is referenced in the committee’s consideration of House Bill 855 and then speaks to make the motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Jim Guthrie — Was thanked for giving many pins to Antoine.
James Murphy — Representative Petsky explains that House Bill 855 is intended to fix the issue going forward only, without disturbing existing license holders. He notes that while there may be multiple ways to address the broader problem, this bill focuses on the most obvious abuse first: people publicly saying they are moving to Idaho for six months just to obtain the license. He also suggests that future legislation could address grandfathering or other mechanisms.
Mark Harris — The committee takes up HCR 34, introduced by Mark Harris (Senator Harris). Harris presents the resolution, explains what it does, and later concludes his presentation, indicating he will stand for questions and noting that Paul Arrington is also present. The chair then references Harris again in the context of the resolution, including asking whether he wishes to close.
Paul Arrington — Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association is introduced and then testifies in support of the resolution/HCR 34. He indicates he is happy to answer questions and explains that any costs discussed would be tied to preparing the study, while project funding is a separate issue.
Julie VanOrden — Seconded the motion approving the minutes.
Antoine — Antoine discussed his future plans after finishing school, saying he will leave in July for a mission in Paris, then attend BYU to study business management and eventually start his own business. In the follow-up exchange, he said he could help recruit people for the page program and mentioned that his siblings, including Victor and his younger sister, might also be interested in participating.
Kevin Cook — Recognized for a motion on Senate Bill 1396.
Kevin Cook — Referenced in the surrounding discussion as part of the committee handling the bill.
Kevin Cook — Seconds the motion on House Bill 855.
Kevin Cook — Asks whether the resolution will cost money and references the statement of purpose.
Kevin Cook — Asks for clarification on the expected cost of the study and implementation.