Doug Okuniewicz — Senator Doug O'Connowitz introduces himself as the sponsor of House Bill 959 and explains that it is another fire-related bill intended to address or roll back some effects of House Bill 389. He then turns his time over to Chief Timminsky for a presentation. Later, he is invited back to answer questions, briefly responds, and is released.
Doug Okuniewicz — Senator Den Hartog was called on regarding House Bill 706, then moved to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and briefly expressed support by thanking the firefighters, chiefs, and other professionals who testified.
Greg Timminsky — Greg Timminsky, representing the Middleton and Star Fire Districts and Idaho Fire Chiefs, explains that House Bill 959 is a fallback measure from House Bill 389 and notes that other legislation may help taxing authorities. He then concludes his remarks and stands for questions.
Ken Burgess — Ken Burgess is called forward, identifies himself as representing the Idaho Home Builders Association, testifies in support of House Bill 959, and asks the committee to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kelly Packer — Kelly Packer is introduced as the next witness and then testifies as Executive Director of the Association of Idaho Cities in support of House Bill 959. She concludes by emphasizing that the bill needs to pass if broader relief is not available, urging lawmakers to find some form of relief.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Taves is identified as making the motion, with the transcript noting the motion by Senator Taves.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Taylor gives closing remarks in support of the bill, arguing that sprinklers are effective and that the measure is permissive, allowing local authorities to decide. He says he supports the bill because it preserves local control, while noting he may still reconsider his vote on the floor.
Jim Guthrie — Identified as the senator who will carry the bill on the floor.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Anthon seconds the motion and then speaks in support of the bill, saying he is compelled to support it and help move it forward, even though it may not fully solve the issue for cities.
Kelly Anthon — Recorded as voting no on the motion.
Ron Taylor — Supported the motion and said legislative changes this year allow fire districts and municipal districts to combine and reduce redundancies.
Ron Taylor — Says the situation is embarrassing and that the legislature should not play games with people's livelihoods.
Alison Rabe — Supported the motion but urged the committee to continue looking for larger fixes to the issue.
Alison Rabe — The second is attributed to Senator Den Hartog, but the name is uncertain; no exact match available.
Senator Robbie — Continues testimony in support of House Bill 706, emphasizing city choice and safety research.
Melissa Wintrow — Responds to questions after presenting the bill's safety and housing arguments.
Melissa Wintrow — Explains that pressurization removes smoke from a building and was omitted due to cost and expert advice.
Melissa Wintrow — Credited with explaining the benefits and goals of single-stair buildings.
Ben Adams — Senator/Representative Adams asks about how many Idaho families live in apartments over three stories tall, focusing on the prevalence of taller apartment living among Idaho families.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams is addressed as the pro tem, then states he will vote no on the motion because of concerns raised by his local firefighter and a need for more attention to the bill. He is later included in the roll call as one of the senators voting no and requesting to be recorded.
Ben Adams — Asks how the witness responds to earlier comments about the fuel tax money being shifted from ISP to cities.
Ben Adams — Addressed directly by Mr. Wheatley in response.
Ben Adams — Mr. Wheatley says he was not around when the fuel tax monies were shifted and cannot provide a detailed background.
Ben Adams — Likely the intended reference behind 'Senator Robbie' in the housing comment, though the transcription is uncertain.
Ben Adams — Reference to 'Senator Robbie' remains uncertain; likely a mis-transcription of a senator's name.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams is called on for a motion.
Ben Adams — Moves to send House Bill 967 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Robbie — Responds that these buildings are not typically constructed and that 30% of Idahoans rent.
Terran Mitchell — Terran Mitchell appears virtually for public testimony, confirms audio connection, introduces himself as the founding principal of TKM Architecture, and explains his experience designing many multifamily residential projects. He discusses how site conditions and irregular urban parcels can make small apartment buildings effective housing solutions, and he closes by summarizing the affordability and safety rationale for the bill before concluding his testimony.
Mr. Mitchell — The chair thanks the witness for his testimony.
Mike Bisagno / Mike Bisonio — Begins testimony and corrects the pronunciation of his last name.
Mike Bisonio — Mike Bisonio, speaking for the Boise Fire Department and Idaho Fire Chiefs Association, opposes single-stair buildings on fire-safety grounds. He explains that a single stairway removes redundancy for both occupants and firefighters, leaving firefighters without an alternate protected route to reach trapped residents. He also argues that exterior rescue is not a reliable substitute because it is a limited, highly conditional option and constrained by equipment and operational realities.
Mike Bisagno — Mike Bisagno continued his testimony on public safety and fire-rescue limitations, explaining that aerial apparatus may face practical constraints when trying to reach rear or side windows on six-story buildings. He then broadened the point to argue that legislation affecting public safety should be developed with direct involvement from the stakeholders responsible for designing, enforcing, and building to those requirements.
Jordan Morales — Jordan Morales was introduced as the next public witness and then testified in personal support of House Bill 706, identifying himself as a sixth-generation Idahoan and southeast Boise resident speaking on his own behalf.
Lance Sayers — Lance Sayers is introduced as the next witness, then identifies himself as a policy analyst with the Association of Idaho Cities and states that he is testifying in opposition to House Bill 706.
Chief Pisano — Referenced as having already discussed the first safety concern.
Mr. Sayers — Committee thanked the witness after his testimony.
Steven Tolby — Introduced as the next witness; pronunciation uncertain.
Steven Talby — Testified as City of Meridian Deputy Chief Fire Marshal in opposition to the bill, citing fire safety risks.
unidentified firefighter witness — Urged the committee to uphold current national fire and building code limits and restrict these occupancies to no more than three stories.
Rob Shoplock — Identified himself as being with the Professional Firefighters of Idaho and said the organization represents 1,500 members.
Firefighter Jeffrey Fylda — Cited as having died in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2025 after becoming disoriented with one egress.
Todd Lakey — Todd Lakey introduces himself as the State Senator from District 23 and says he is presenting the bill with assistance from Colonel Gardner and Representative Ehlers. He explains that Idaho State Police are facing a serious staffing shortage because troopers have been leaving, and he supports the bill as a compromise effort to improve compensation and help retain troopers after earlier efforts fell short.
Todd Lakey — Lovell agrees with Senator Lakey that the proposal is a good start.
Todd Lakey — Lewis thanks Senator Lakey for updated fiscal specifics.
Todd Lakey — Referenced earlier in the testimony as part of the bill's fiscal discussion.
Todd Lakey — The chair says Senator Lakey is next to speak.
Todd Lakey — States that ISP should not be at the bottom of the staffing 'food chain' and that the bill is intended to address that problem.
Todd Lakey — Referenced as part of the ongoing discussion about the bill and prior conversations with the House.
Todd Lakey — Referenced as having been involved in conversations about the issue and the compromise.