Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 23 Feb 3rd, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Key Moments

  • Ben Adams — Ben Adams is first called during roll call and later his presence is formally recognized before the meeting advances to the Third Order of Business.
  • Kelly Anthon — Kelly Anthon is called during roll call, with the transcript rendering his name inconsistently as "Anthem" and "Cole."
  • Treg Bernt — Treg Bernt is called during roll call; the transcript appears to render his name as "Burnt."
  • Cornel Rasor — Cornel Rasor is called during roll call; the transcript appears to render the response/name as "Burkey."
  • Todd Lakey — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Laylock."
  • Todd Lakey — Called during roll call.
  • Todd Lakey — Called during roll call.
  • Todd Lakey — Identified as chairman on the committee report.
  • Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey moved adoption of the committee report on Alan H. Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Pardons and Parole Commission, presented the confirmation, and later closed debate before the Senate adopted the report.
  • Steven Tanner — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Brent Shaw" and responded here.
  • Van Burtenshaw — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Burtonshaw."
  • Cindy Carlson — Called during roll call.
  • Cindy Carlson — Senator Carlson moved to adopt the committee report on Clayton Steele’s reappointment and later closed debate on the same report.
  • Cindy Carlson — Requested unanimous consent to advance to the 11th order of business and to read bills by number, author, and title only.
  • Kevin Cook — Called during roll call.
  • Kevin Cook — Senator Groh opened and later closed debate on the motion to adopt the committee report, presenting Kenneth Long’s qualifications and then supporting adoption of the report.
  • Lori Hartog — Lori Hartog is first called during roll call, then participates in early procedural floor management by asking the Senate to go at ease, explaining the day’s agenda and order of business, and finally requesting unanimous consent for the Senate to advance to the ninth order of business.
  • Daniel Foreman — Called during roll call.
  • Daniel Foreman — Identified as chairman on the committee report.
  • Codi Galloway — Called during roll call.
  • Codi Galloway — Called during the roll-call vote on Senate Bill 1221.
  • C. Grow — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Groh."
  • C. Grow — Moved to adopt the committee report on Kenneth Long's appointment and opened debate.
  • Jim Guthrie — Called during roll call.
  • Jim Guthrie — Senator Guthrie handled the debate on Carl Ray's appointment committee report, first moving to adopt the report and opening debate in support of the appointment, then later closing the debate and presiding over the vote sequence.
  • Jim Guthrie — Senator Guthrie handles the Senate Bill 1221 floor sequence: he requests unanimous consent to dispense with further reading, opens debate by outlining the bill’s background, issue, and solution, later closes debate after additional context is provided, and is then called during the roll-call vote on the bill.
  • Mark Harris — Mark Harris was called during roll call.
  • Phil Hart — Called during roll call.
  • Phil Hart — Announces a church service sponsored by Conservatives of Idaho and mentions John Padula as the speaker.
  • Josh Keyser — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Kaiser."
  • Brian Lenney — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Lenny."
  • Brian Lenney — Made an introduction of a guest and welcomed her to the Senate.
  • Brian Lenney — Is addressed in the exchange before the motion to adjourn.
  • Dave Lent — Called during roll call.
  • Tammy Nichols — Called during roll call.
  • Tammy Nichols — Announces a presentation for majority members regarding Kratom.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "O'Connowitz, Robby."
  • Melissa Wintrow — Senator Melissa Wintrow moved that the Senate adopt the committee report on Salvador Cruz, then the chamber opened debate on the nomination and proceeded toward closing debate in support of the appointment.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Called during the roll-call vote on Senate Bill 1221.
  • Doug Ricks — Called during roll call.
  • James Ruchti — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Rectey."
  • Carrie Semmelroth — Called during roll call; transcript appears to say "Semaroky."
  • James Woodward — Formally absent and excused.
  • James Woodward — Called during the roll-call vote on Senate Bill 1221.
  • Christy Zito — Sought recognition for an introduction; transcript appears to say "Senator Ziderfeld."
  • Salvador Cruz — The discussion strongly supports Salvador Cruz’s nomination to serve as director of the Idaho Department of Finance, highlighting his 13 years with the department, eight years as a national bank examiner, seven years as a financial institution examiner, and his broader leadership and policy expertise as evidence that he is well-suited for the role.
  • Clayton Steele — The committee discusses Clayton Steele’s reappointment to the Board of Environmental Quality, formally announcing the nomination and identifying it as a reappointment. Members then summarize his qualifications and environmental regulatory experience, including prior DEQ and industry roles, his work on water quality rules, and his role in helping secure a permit for a major pulping optimization project. The discussion concludes with the report being adopted as part of the reappointment process.
  • Julie VanOrden — Identified as chair of the committee report on Clayton Steele's appointment.
  • Julie VanOrden — Votes aye on Senate Bill 1221.
  • Carl Ray — The discussion centers on Carl Ray’s gubernatorial appointment to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. The nomination is introduced and then supported with remarks emphasizing that he is highly qualified, citing his education, internship experience, and work in wildlife, ranching, range management, and weed management. The speaker concludes by strongly endorsing the nomination and asking for support.