Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 31 Feb 11th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Key Moments

  • Van Burtenshaw — Answered 'Here' during roll call.
  • Cindy Carlson — Called during roll call.
  • Cindy Carlson — Recorded as voting no.
  • Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook is called during roll call and subsequently recognized as present.
  • Janie Ward-Engelking — During the opening roll call and early proceedings, Janie Ward-Engelking is mentioned multiple times, including a likely misheard reference as 'Jen Hartog' and later references to 'Senator Den Hartog.' These appear to be transcript or recognition issues around the same name rather than separate substantive discussions.
  • Daniel Foreman — Called during roll call.
  • Daniel Foreman — Daniel Foreman is repeatedly identified in the committee report as the chairman, with multiple mentions of 'Foreman, Chairman' confirming his role as the committee chair.
  • Daniel Foreman — Committee reporting the appointment recommendation.
  • Daniel Foreman — Recognized to open debate on Senate Bill 1233 after unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
  • Daniel Foreman — Recognized to close debate on the bill.
  • Daniel Foreman — Closed debate by emphasizing the bill's purpose to prevent use of religious or cultural law in state courts unless it conforms with constitutional rights.
  • Daniel Foreman — Called during roll call; vote not clearly captured in this line.
  • Codi Galloway — Called during roll call.
  • Codi Galloway — Recorded as voting aye.
  • C. Grow — Called during roll call.
  • Rob Beiswenger — Likely intended by the transcript's 'Bethri'; called during roll call.
  • Mark Harris — Called during roll call.
  • Mark Harris — Senator Mark Harris welcomed Idaho Farm Bureau guests and farmers and ranchers from across the state, with the welcome continuing as others encouraged the Senate to greet them. A later reference noted that Senator Harris had tried to welcome the guests by name, tying back to the same greeting moment.
  • Mark Harris — Recorded as voting nay in the roll call.
  • Phil Hart — Called during roll call.
  • Phil Hart — Committee chair signature appears as 'Foreman, Chairman,' likely a transcription error for the Judiciary and Rules Committee chair.
  • Todd Lakey — Called during roll call.
  • Todd Lakey — Identified as chairman of the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
  • Todd Lakey — Identified as chairman of the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
  • Todd Lakey — Identified as chairman of the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
  • Todd Lakey — Identified as chairman of the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
  • Todd Lakey — Identified as chairman of the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
  • Todd Lakey — Named as a gubernatorial appointee to the State Insurance Fund Board; the committee recommends confirmation.
  • Todd Lakey — During consideration of the committee report on Michael Kennedy's appointment, Senator Lakey is identified as the chairman on the report. The member referred to as Senator Rutkey is then recognized to open the debate on the report and later recognized again to close the debate, indicating a single procedural sequence surrounding the same appointment matter.
  • Todd Lakey — Recognized to debate the bill and argued the language is simple and does not outlaw any culture or religious law.
  • Todd Lakey — Called during roll call; vote not clearly captured in this line.
  • Brian Lenney — Brian Lenney is called during roll call, with his name repeated as part of the same attendance check.
  • Brian Lenney — Recognized to debate the bill after the chair opens debate.
  • Brian Lenney — Raises concerns about strict textualism and wants language recognizing history and tradition in constitutional interpretation.
  • Brian Lenney — Begins debate on the bill by citing Oklahoma's prior attempt and court rulings against it.
  • Brian Lenney — Name appears in the roll call, likely as 'Lenny.'
  • Tammy Nichols — Tammy Nichols was called during roll call.
  • Tammy Nichols — Tammy Nichols requested 60 seconds to explain her vote, then said she appreciated the bill’s intent but believed it still posed legal risk. She concluded by stating she would vote no, and the record notes her nay vote.
  • Julie VanOrden — Called during roll call.
  • Julie VanOrden — Julie VanOrden is called during the roll call, with her name appearing again shortly afterward; the transcript does not clearly capture a vote or any additional discussion.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Called during roll call.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Included in the general blessing for senators if present in the chamber.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Senator Wintrow moved the Senate to adopt the committee report on Erica Malman's appointment, was recognized to open debate on the motion, and later closed debate after briefly praising Malman's qualifications and thanking senators for their support.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Melissa Wintrow is mentioned during roll call, with her name appearing in the voting/attendance call but the exact vote or pronunciation is unclear in the transcript.
  • James Woodward — James Woodward was called during roll call and then recognized as present, with a later повтор acknowledgment of Senator Woodward as present.
  • James Woodward — Introduced friends Tom and Sandy Daniel and mentioned Don Alt in the gallery.
  • James Woodward — Called during roll call; vote not clearly captured in this line.
  • Doug Armstrong — Led the opening prayer as chaplain.
  • Cooper Smith — Led the Pledge of Allegiance as Senate page.
  • Doug Ricks — Introduced Sean Blouser and his daughter Brittany from the Farm Bureau.