Layton Lenning — The committee considers Layton Lenning’s gubernatorial appointment to the Commission on Human Rights. After confirming his name and welcoming him, Lenning introduces himself and outlines his background in music, entertainment, law, graduate business education, and service as a county prosecutor. He describes leadership experience and explains that his interest in human rights was shaped by work in Tennessee on extending remedies to 1099 workers and by broader Me Too-era concerns. In response to questions about his goals for the commission, he says he wants to be fair, impartial, non-biased, and efficient, and believes his legal experience would help in a quasi-judicial role. The committee concludes by saying the vote on his appointment will be taken at the next meeting.
Mark Harris — Asks Mr. Lenning what he would like to see happen on the commission.
Mark Harris — The speaker is responding to questions from Senator Harris earlier in the hearing context.
Mark Harris — Moves to send Salvador Cruz's appointment to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation.
Mark Harris — Moved the confirmation of Salvador Cruz's appointment.
Mark Harris — Identified as the second on the motion to introduce RS 32980.
Brian Skagliano — Brian Skagliano’s reappointment to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights is introduced, and he then testifies about his nearly 20 years on the commission, his move to Idaho from New England, and his private-sector background. He explains the commission’s role in reviewing investigations and deciding cause or probable cause, notes a backlog caused by the loss of an investigator to cancer, and says the commission is now caught up and handling a record number of cases. He describes the process as effective, estimates that about 6 to 9 percent of cases result in probable cause findings, and gives examples of how the commission handles cases that need more information or that do not result in cause, emphasizing the importance of being heard even when no violation is found. The committee then thanks him and notes the appointment will be voted on Friday.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy is identified in the course of a committee exchange and asks follow-up questions about the issue under discussion, including the general turnaround time for cases, expedited processing, and what share of cases are true human rights violations versus ordinary workplace sloppiness.
James Ruchti — James Ruchti follows up on the discussion by probing more deeply into how to distinguish ordinary workplace rudeness or frustration from legally actionable discrimination. He notes that not every complaint amounts to a legal violation, emphasizes that "it's not illegal to be a jerk," and asks for a clearer percentage breakdown of the different categories being discussed.
James Ruchti — James Ruchti said he would vote to introduce the RS and supported moving it forward, but he also wanted testimony and additional information from stakeholders, including details on the fiscal costs of state land management.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Kelly Anthon moves to send Megan Runk’s appointment to the Commission on Human Rights to the floor with a recommendation that she be confirmed; the motion is then attributed to him.
Lori Hartog — Senator Hartog is identified as the member who seconded the motion.
Ben Adams — Ben Adams presented RS 32980, explaining that he had shared the proposed constitutional amendment language publicly to gather feedback. He described extensive outreach with stakeholders and Idahoans over the past five months, said the public input did not change the amendment’s intent, and argued that the revised language still serves the public interest. He then concluded by asking to have the measure introduced.