Seth (president's office) — Described as working on special projects and handling the PowerPoint presentation.
Ben Adams — Identified as the namesake of the Morrill Act.
Matt Powell — Referenced as one of the presenters who would speak about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Matt Powell — Matt Powell was asked to entertain a question and responded affirmatively.
Dennis Becker — Referenced as one of the presenters who would speak about the College of Natural Resources.
Dennis Becker — The speaker said the discussion would be turned over to Dennis Becker unless there were questions.
Dennis Becker — Dennis Becker, dean of the College of Natural Resources, explained that his college is not currently doing chronic wasting disease research but would be willing to help if capacity allowed. He then described how state and federal budget cuts have created major challenges, including delayed federal funds, layoffs, the loss of a natural resource economist, and ending support for the student logging crew, all of which have hurt the university’s land-grant mission. He concluded by citing a 10-year grouse and grazing study as an example of the college’s research, noting its relevance to sage grouse recovery discussions.
Ilana Rubel — Co-chair Boyle is addressed as part of the committee leadership during the opening greeting, alongside Co-chair Birken-Shaw and other committee members.
Jason Monks — Likely refers to Representative Jason Monks? No, this appears to be a transcription error for a co-chair name; kept as questionable.
Jason Monks — Named as one of the deans involved in the listening session.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris asked when the research center would have cows and be fully operational.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris followed up on a prior question by asking whether the university has made any efforts to address screw worm coming from South America, and he was then directly addressed by Dr. Powell in response.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris asked Sheriff Holtz what the county costs would be for participating in a 287(g) program, and the discussion continued immediately on that same question about program costs.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris engages the sheriff on Idaho detention facilities, first asking about the difference between detention center types and ICE-approved facilities versus regular jails, and then following up on how many facilities in the state are currently qualified.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris asks whether being held harmless would have allowed wool growers to keep their permits. The transcript then appears to misname the next speaker as Senator Carter before correcting to Senator Carlson. The exchange continues with a personal note, thanking Senator Carlson and mentioning that the speaker’s father-in-law valued his friendship with Stan Boyd.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris was recognized by the chair and asked Mr. Shirts whether the allotments could be restored and what it would take to do so.
Mark Harris — Senator Harris asks a question and compares the sheep issue to brucellosis in cattle.
Mr. Powell — Mr. Powell identifies himself and explains that the program is both an add-on and a certificate program. He says there are about 35 students currently enrolled, 69 alumni have graduated, and the program has grown from about 13 students to more than double that number, reflecting strong student demand.
Dr. Powell — Was told to stay for the presentation on domestic sheep and bighorns.
Dr. Powell — Responded affirmatively and described the sheep station at Dubois, Idaho, co-located with USDA, and a listening session with USDA leaders and Dean Becker.
Dr. Powell — Explained that a listening session with USDA regional leaders and Deans Becker and Edgar will seek public input on domestic sheep and wild sheep interactions; noted the loss of the cane center.
Dr. Powell — Said the University of Idaho is ready to help ISDA, but not in a way that dilutes ISDA funding or surveillance capacity.
Dr. Powell — Argued for extramural funding to support University of Idaho assistance to ISDA without reducing ISDA's own resources.
Dr. Powell — Said quagga mussels are a serious scourge and will require a major research effort.
Dr. Powell — Offered to help ISDA with identification and eradication methods, while cautioning against diluting ISDA's mission.
Dr. Powell — Was called on to answer the question about screw worm.
Dr. Powell — Said the college is not actively researching screw worm yet, but has increased surveillance.
Dr. Powell — Explained that extension educators help communicate information, but the university has not yet taken on direct screw worm research.
Dr. Powell — Responded that the University of Idaho is not actively working on chronic wasting disease at the moment.
Dr. Powell — Said most chronic wasting disease research is being done in Washington, including at Washington State University and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Dr. Powell — Said the University of Idaho is not carrying out chronic wasting disease research, though the College of Natural Resources may have more information.
Dr. Powell — Said funding cuts negatively affect the university's ability to maintain research aspects and offered to give specific examples.
Dr. Powell — Explained that in spring 2025, funding from USDA, NSF, and NIH was held up or suspended, causing losses.
Dr. Powell — Said the university lost about $11.5 million in federal research funding in spring 2025 and that state funding is needed to bridge gaps.
Dr. Powell — Explained that suspended research programs force suspension of operations and student pay, and cited an IM grant as an example.
Dr. Powell — Said a nearly $60 million federal grant was suspended for 11 months, prompting a request for a no-cost extension; noted producers have been patient.
Dr. Powell — Explained that the program is recovering and moving forward strongly with the IAMP program.
Dr. Powell — Clarified that funding cuts are not good, but said the College of Agriculture is adaptable and works around problems.
Dr. Powell — Said funding cuts limit the university's mission and noted the University of Idaho had no increase in the cited Wall Street Journal article.
Dr. Powell — Concluded by saying the University of Idaho tries to balance its budget and do what it can.
Unknown legislator/questioner — Asked whether the University of Idaho could help with quagga mussel infestation efforts and related Department of Agriculture work.
Van Burtenshaw — Referenced in a follow-up question; likely a transcription error for Senator Burtenshaw.
Van Burtenshaw — The chair is addressed as part of the opening response to the question about ICE-approved detention centers versus regular jails.
Van Burtenshaw — Thanked as co-chair for the invitation to testify.
Charlie Shepherd — Asked whether the University of Idaho is doing research on chronic wasting disease in parts of the state.
Charlie Shepherd — Recognized to speak after the witness's answer.
Charlie Shepherd — Addressed Ron directly and referenced their high school rivalry.
Charlie Shepherd — Reflected on shared losses from the decline of natural resource industries and his own work in the woods.
Charlie Shepherd — Compared the decline of mills to the loss of the sheep industry and asked whether state control of public lands is the only path forward.
Charlie Shepherd — Referenced as accompanying Representative Hawkins in Elk City.