Ron Taylor — Seconded the motion to send RS 33025 to print.
Ron Taylor — Asked whether the proposed amendment would eliminate or still require the 17-page memo.
Ron Taylor — Asked whether the memo would still be needed to explain the code section.
Ron Taylor — Likely intended reference is Senator O'Connor/Connoisse; transcript is unclear and no exact match is available.
Ron Taylor — Likely intended reference is Senator Connoisse/O'Connor; transcript is unclear.
Ron Taylor — Likely intended reference is Senator Connoisse/O'Connor; transcript is unclear.
Ron Taylor — Likely intended reference to Senator O'Connor/O'Conowitz; transcription is unclear.
Kelly Anthony — Identifies herself as representing District 27 and presents Senate Bill 1222.
Paul Arrington — Paul Arrington, speaking on behalf of the Idaho Water Users Association, explains the drafting intent of the water-use language and clarifies that household water use includes activities such as washing windows, hosing down the garage, and similar uses under the definition.
Paul Arrington — Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association testified in support of the bill/amendment, explaining that a memo would still be needed and that the measure should move forward as a critical implementation fix. He said the work group intended the language to apply prospectively, but it was not clearly written that way, creating problems for subdivisions and new domestic well applicants. He described the amendment as clarifying that the law applies moving forward from July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause for immediate effect, noted related cleanup changes such as the fire-suppression exemption and definition updates, and emphasized that the bill is an implementation change that affects people and may need further cleanup later. He concluded by urging the committee to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook repeatedly sought clarification on the bill’s definition of a subdivision in subsection C, asking whether it refers to lots larger than five acres and how it would apply to examples like a 100-acre parcel divided into many half-acre homes. He expressed confusion about whether such a development would count as a subdivision and asked for help understanding the language.
Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook is referenced twice in the course of a single discussion about his earlier question on the subdivision/agricultural partition language. The speaker first notes that the current explanation relates to Senator Cook’s question, then later points again to the specific language Cook had highlighted, continuing the same line of clarification.
Kevin Cook — Seconded the motion on Senate Bill 1222.
Kevin Cook — Asks Kenneth Long about the biggest challenge facing the Outfitter Guide Council.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook praised Mr. Ray's background and asked about the board's process for river guide applications. Mr. Ray then responded that, as a new member of the committee, he did not know the exact answer to that question.
Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook was called on and then asked why Rule 203.04 was deleted, requesting clarification on the 'overlap predator' reference and asking for an explanation of the change.
Kevin Cook — Seconded the motion to adopt the docket.
Senator Anthony — Senator Anthony continued responding to questions about the bill’s effect on domestic uses and lot-size thresholds, indicating that the bill does not change domestic uses and explaining that in Idaho many counties already allow acre-sized lots, so the statute would still apply even where lots are smaller than five acres.
Bruce Smith — Bruce Smith introduced himself as a Boise resident and retiree, then testified that prior water legislation was so significant and complex that it required a lengthy Department of Water Resources memo to interpret and implement. He urged the committee to table SB 1222 and reschedule it for another hearing with the department present so implementation could be explained and affected people could be heard. He emphasized that the earlier water law was the biggest he had seen in 30 years, referenced a past exchange about the cost and political impact of drilling wells, and concluded by reiterating that he had submitted his testimony and the department memo for the record.
Mr. Smith — Senator Taylor wondered whether Mr. Smith could answer the question.
Mr. Arrington — Mr. Arrington is questioned about the amendment and explains that it addresses two main implementation problems. First, he says the subdivision definition and related local ordinance variation make it unrealistic for the Department of Water Resources to track every local zoning rule, so tying the standard to one statutory definition improves clarity and enforcement. He also explains the agricultural partition exception. Second, he says the prior language could be read too broadly and applied to all subdivisions, including long-established ones, so the amendment clarifies that the new sideboards apply prospectively from July 1, 2025. He gives examples of counties, developers, and landowners affected by the issue, describing existing subdivisions that would otherwise be forced to change water systems or irrigation plans. He frames the bill as a fairness issue, arguing that developments already underway or built before the law should not be punished, while future development should follow the new rules.
Joshua Kohl — Joshua Kohl repeatedly references Senator Anthon/Anthony in the course of the discussion, first thanking him alongside Senator Harris, then noting that Senator Anthon had talked about related changes, and later citing that Senator Anthony had already indicated the point being made.
Joshua Kohl — Joshua Kohl asked about the rounding change on page 158 and followed up by asking how the rounding rule works under the current system before the new rule takes effect.
Mr. Errington — Referenced as having made the same point about the subdivision issue.
Kenneth Long — The committee transitions to the gubernatorial appointment of Kenneth Long.
Kenneth Long — Introduces himself and states he is from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.
Kenneth Long — Describes his background, family outfitting business, and experience on the Payette River.
Kenneth Long — Continues describing his outfitting and rescue-training background and his role in the business.
Kenneth Long — Describes his competitive kayaking background and family ties to Olympic aspirations.
Kenneth Long — Begins answering Senator Cook's question about challenges facing the council.
Kenneth Long — Says the biggest challenge is access, growth, and pressure from increased use of rivers and land.
Kenneth Long — Says he does not know whether there is such a geographic requirement.
Phil Hart — Phil Hart questions the scope and composition of the board, asking how broad its oversight is and whether board candidates are geographically distributed so that all parts of the state are represented. He follows up by asking whether there is a formal requirement for representation from regions such as North Idaho, East Idaho, or Southwest Idaho, or whether membership is left to chance.
Phil Hart — Phil Hart is referenced in an ongoing committee exchange: an earlier question to Senator Hart is answered with a note that board representation comes from across the state, and shortly afterward Phil Hart, acting as vice chair, takes over the docket and invites questions for the presenter while being addressed as Chairman Hart.
Carl Ray — Carl Ray is introduced for the Outfitter's Licensing Board appointment and then provides a continuous self-introduction: he says he lives in Boise and is building a home on his ranch in Weiser; he is 69, married to Janine for 47 years, and has three children and four grandchildren. He describes his ranching and agricultural background in Montana and Idaho, notes that much of his travel, hunting, and fishing involved outfitters and guides, and explains that he served 16 years on the Idaho Fish and Game Advisory Committee as a landowner representative, where he helped develop ideas such as the Superfund Tag Lottery Program.
Mr. Ray — He concluded his remarks and deferred back to the chair.
Mr. Ray — He responded that servant leadership often goes unrecognized and said it is his responsibility to serve his community.
Mr. Ray — Senator Cook directed a question to Mr. Ray about the application process.
Mr. Ray — He said he did not know the exact process for river guide applications but expected an application and background review.
Mr. Ray — The question was directed to Mr. Ray.
Mr. Ray — The chair thanked Mr. Ray and said the committee would vote at the next meeting.
Mr. Ray — He thanked the committee before yielding the floor.
Mr. Ray — John Price said Mr. Ray serves as the public member on the board.
Mr. Long — The chair referenced Mr. Long when explaining the committee's process.
Mr. Long — John Price said Mr. Long represents the rafting industry on the board.
John Price — John Price was introduced by the chair, then identified himself as the Bureau Chief for the Occupational Licensing Bureau of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses and clarified that he also serves as the executive officer for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.
Mr. Price — Asked the committee to approve the pending rule as final and offered to answer questions.
Mr. Price — Was called on to answer the question about what happens to the tag under the prior rule.
Mr. Price — Thanked after answering questions on the docket.
Mark Beatia / Badia — Introduced himself as an agriculture education teacher at American Falls High School and identified the students as the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team.