Ron Mendive — Chair Ron Mendive opens by introducing himself, noting his 14th year in the legislature and fourth year chairing the committee. He explains that the committee operates in a hybrid digital/paper format and members may request paper copies. He then introduces Vice Chairman Charlie Shepherd, noting this is also Shepherd’s fourth year on the committee, and closes with a brief comment about his approach to working with everyone on the committee.
Ron Mendive — Mentioned as someone who might come to the committee to present concerns.
Ron Mendive — Referenced in a garbled address as the chair.
Ron Mendive — Warned the committee to be careful about reviewing dedicated funds because local entities need reserves to operate.
Ron Mendive — Warned against helicoptering in and taking funds from local boards or producers' dedicated accounts.
Ron Mendive — Closed the discussion and invited the next witness.
Ron Mendive — Referred to as the chairman who had spoken earlier about budget growth over time.
Ron Mendive — Referred to as the chairman who had referenced natural resource agencies and dedicated funds.
Charlie Shepherd — Identified as vice chair and introduces himself as representing District 7, including Idaho, Adams, and Nez Perce counties.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Charlie Shepherd was called on by the chair, then moved to introduce RS 32850, and was called on again during the motion process, forming one continuous parliamentary exchange.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Shepherd opened with a brief comment/question and then asked whether the federal-funds issue might actually refer to matching funds, specifically whether the state would fund a portion and the federal government would match it.
Andrea Blades — Briefly greets the committee as the secretary.
Shawn Dygert — The chair asks Representative Shawn Dygert to introduce himself, and he responds by identifying himself as Representative Shawn Dygert from District 23 and briefly describing his district.
Shawn Dygert — The chair recognized Representative Shawn Dygert, who then asked whether Forest Products manufacturers that buy timber in Idaho and sell it outside the state are currently included in the lumber and timber assessment.
Dori Healey — Introduces herself as representing West Boise and part of Meridian and says she grew up in logging.
Dori Healey — Representative Mickelsen raised concerns about dedicated funds and asked whether groundwater districts, as state-enabled quasi-government entities, should worry that the state might come in and take their funds if JFAC believes there is an excess amount of money.
Mark Sauter — Introduces himself as representing District 1 in Sandpoint and notes local forestry and mills.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Stephanie Mickelsen introduces herself as representing Legislative District 32 in Bonneville County and raises water issues. The chair responds that she had already made those concerns clear previously, and another speaker agrees with Stephanie’s comments about water issues.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Asked for an example of Fish and Game's dedicated funds in connection with federal funds.
Douglas Pickett — Introduces himself as Representative Pickett from District 27 and notes the area's arid conditions.
Douglas Pickett — Chair called on Representative Pickett for a motion.
Jack Nelsen — Introduces himself as representing District 26 and says he is a third-generation farmer; agrees that water issues remain unresolved.
Jack Nelsen — Addressed as part of the discussion about committee review of agency cuts and recommendations.
Britt Raybould — The chair notes that she is absent due to another appointment.
Judy Boyle — Introduces herself as representing District 9, including Washington and Payette counties, and part of Canyon County.
Judy Boyle — Chair announced that Representative Boyle would present RS 32850.
Judy Boyle — Chair again referenced Representative Boyle as the presenter of RS 32850.
Judy Boyle — Presented RS 32850 and explained it would move rules into law for the Forest Products Commission.
Judy Boyle — Explained that mills, processors, loggers, and haulers fund the Forest Products Commission rules and stood for questions.
Judy Boyle — Responded to Dygert's question by directing him to the relevant page and lines.
Judy Boyle — Explained that the language being added reflects current rules already negotiated with the industry and is not new policy.
Judy Boyle — Introduced RS 32975 and explained it concerns federal land exchanges with private entities under FLPMA.
Judy Boyle — Concluded that the RS is a memorial to Congress asking for clarification that FLPMA controls.
Judy Boyle — The chair referred to her returning to her seat after presenting the RS.
Judy Boyle — Representative Boyle asked whether any dedicated funds were being targeted for sweeping. The response indicated that no specific fund had been singled out or targeted.
Steve Miller — Introduces himself as representing Legislative District 24 and describes the district's natural resources and ranching background.
Steve Miller — Steve Miller expressed reservations about the proposal, saying he shared similar concerns and was unsure how to proceed. He appreciated the effort and intent behind it but felt more discussion was needed and referenced another resolution that would keep things as-is while the issue is studied further and a bill is introduced next year.
Josh Tanner — Introduces himself as representing District 14 and comments on Idaho resources and Fish and Game regulation.
Josh Tanner — Representative Josh Tanner first moved to introduce RS 32883 and briefly explained that, through his work on the DOGE committee with Representative Manwaring, he had discussed the proposal with Director Reaver and believed Water Resources was the best fit based on developments involving the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. He then was introduced to present on JFAC and budgeting, identified himself as Representative Tanner from District 14, and explained that committee decisions drive budget outcomes and that older bills should be reviewed to see whether they are still functioning as intended. He concluded by turning the presentation over to Janet Jessup to demonstrate budgeting tools and remained available for questions.
Josh Tanner — Representative Tanner discussed the possibility of reviewing dedicated Fish and Game and other reserve funds as part of efforts to address budget holes. He said he could not find documentation confirming that touching dedicated funds would automatically jeopardize federal funding or require state matching, and emphasized that he was not proposing to cut those funds outright. Instead, he suggested the committee examine reserve accounts and all dedicated funds to determine whether balances are higher than needed, whether some funds should be returned to the general fund, or whether alternative approaches such as lower rates should be considered. He framed the issue as something for the committee to study carefully and potentially bring recommendations back to JFAC, while noting that water-related funds likely were not the place to start.
Dustin Manwaring — Introduces himself as representing Pocatello, District 29, and notes the importance of mining operations to his area.
Dustin Manwaring — Representative Dustin Manwaring introduced RS 32883, explaining that it would move the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources (IDWR). He said this was only the first step in the broader effort and invited questions. In the ensuing discussion, he addressed concerns raised by Representative Raymond, emphasizing that agricultural interests should not be watered down, and clarified that the proposal was not inconsistent with the other resolution and could be worked on together.
Jerald Raymond — Introduces himself as representing Legislative District 31 and mentions his hometown of Menan and livestock operations.
Jerald Raymond — Jerald Raymond raised concerns about the proposed combining of entities, warning that soil and water conservation issues are primarily agricultural in nature and could lose focus if merged. He emphasized that these matters should still be addressed through the Ag Committee as well as any other committee with jurisdiction, and the later reference noted that he had discussed these concerns with Manwaring.
James Petzke — Introduced himself as representing District 21, including Meridian and a small slice of Boise, and noted many constituents enjoy outdoor recreation on public lands.
James Petzke — Representative Petzke was called on after Tanner’s remarks and then responded that he had checked with the governor’s staff, who did not consider cutting dedicated-fund agencies during holdbacks.
Monica Church — Representative Monica Church introduced herself as representing District 19 in downtown Boise, noting that her district is in the Capitol area. She said she comes from a timber family, added that she also has ranching roots on the other side of her family, and described herself as a strong supporter of public lands and conservation.
Monica Church — Thanked for volunteering to proof the minutes.
Soñia Galaviz — Introduced herself as representing District 16, West Boise and Garden City, and said she was born and raised in the Silver Valley and is a daughter of a miner.
Janet Jessup — Janet Jessup introduced herself as a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services and explained that she was there at the chairman’s request to walk the committee through budget-related resources. She said she would use the legislative homepage rather than the provided PowerPoint, noting that the packet could still serve as a step-by-step reference. She then introduced the base budget builder as a newer addition to the budget toolkit and pointed members to the budget information section on the homepage as a central place to access related resources.