Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 39 Feb 19th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Key Moments

  • Brian Lenney — Called during roll call.
  • Brian Lenney — Senator Lenney was called during the roll call vote, then took the floor to request unanimous consent to dispense with further reading of Senate Bill 1236 and open debate. The discussion moved directly into the bill debate, including reference to the history of the Idaho Women's Commission.
  • Brian Lenney — Listed during the roll call vote; likely refers to Senator Lenney.
  • Brian Lenney — Recognized to debate the bill.
  • Brian Lenney — Begins floor remarks opposing the bill.
  • Brian Lenney — Requests to debate the bill a second time and is granted the floor.
  • Brian Lenney — Argues states can help enforce immigration-related policy and references a Boise child killed last year by an illegal immigrant.
  • Brian Lenney — Continues in support, saying Idaho is impacted and urging a yes vote.
  • Brian Lenney — Thanked by Senator Harris along with Senators from districts 12 and 13.
  • Brian Lenney — Called during the roll call vote.
  • Dave Lent — Called during roll call.
  • Dave Lent — Called during roll call.
  • Dave Lent — Identified as chairman of the Education Committee report.
  • Dave Lent — Senator Lent was repeatedly called during the roll call vote, with multiple attempts to confirm his presence as the vote proceeded.
  • Dave Lent — Senator Lent was listed during the roll call vote and then recorded as voting aye.
  • — Called during roll call; exact identity unclear.
  • — Called during roll call; exact identity unclear.
  • Rob Beiswenger — Rob Beiswenger was called during roll call, though the transcript renders the name uncertainly as 'Robby.'
  • Doug Ricks — Doug Ricks was called during roll call.
  • Doug Ricks — Senator Ricks was called during the roll call vote and was recorded as voting aye.
  • Doug Ricks — Called during the roll call vote.
  • James Ruchti — James Ruchti is called during roll call, with the transcript rendering his name uncertainly as both 'Rattie' and 'Ruttee.'
  • James Ruchti — During the roll call vote, Senator Ruchti was called multiple times amid some garbled transcription variants of his name, and he was ultimately recorded as voting aye. The later roll call references again call Ruchti in the same voting context, with no new substantive discussion beyond the ongoing vote tally.
  • James Ruchti — Called during the roll call vote; likely a transcription error for Ruchti.
  • Carrie Semmelroth — During roll call, Carrie Semmelroth is called, though the transcript renders her name uncertainly as variations like 'Semaraz' and 'Semaroth.'
  • Carrie Semmelroth — During the roll call vote, Senator Semmelroth was repeatedly called under several distorted name variants (including Merrill and similar spellings), and one mention records Semmelroth as voting aye.
  • Carrie Semmelroth — Called during the roll call vote; likely a transcription error for Semmelroth.
  • Brandon Shippy — Called during roll call; transcript says 'Shippee,' which is uncertain.
  • Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy was repeatedly called during the roll call vote, and one of the calls recorded the senator as voting aye.
  • Brandon Shippy — Called during the roll call vote; likely a transcription error for Shippy.
  • Ron Taylor — Called during roll call.
  • Ron Taylor — Welcomed students and then noted he had said he dropped the puck a day early; clarified the women's team is captained by a Ketchum native.
  • Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor was repeatedly called during the roll call vote.
  • Ron Taylor — Called during the roll call vote.
  • Julie VanOrden — Called during roll call.
  • Julie VanOrden — Identified as chair of the Health and Welfare Committee report on House Bill 494.
  • Julie VanOrden — Called during the roll call vote and recorded as voting aye.
  • Julie VanOrden — During the roll call vote, Senator Van Orden was called; the separate mention of "Taves" appears to be a transcription error referring to the same member.
  • Julie VanOrden — Called and recorded as aye during the roll call vote.
  • Julie VanOrden — Reminded senators that girls' basketball tickets are available and later noted that it is Dental Day at the Capitol.
  • Janie Ward-Engelking — Called during roll call; transcript says 'Ward Engel King,' which is uncertain.
  • Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Ward-Engelking was called during the roll call vote.
  • Janie Ward-Engelking — During the roll call vote, Senator Den Hartog was listed, Senator Ward Engel King was called (likely a transcription error for Ward-Engelking), and the member was recorded as voting aye.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Called during roll call; transcript says 'Winchrow,' which is uncertain.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Opened and then closed debate on Senate Bill 1232.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Closed debate before the roll call vote.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Called during the roll call vote.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Called during the roll call vote.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Requested unanimous consent to dispense with further reading of Senate Bill 1250.
  • Melissa Wintrow — Opened debate on Senate Bill 1250 and explained the bill's purpose.