House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee
Key Moments
Chris Mathias — Responded that there were minutes to approve.
Chris Mathias — Moved to approve the minutes from Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Chris Mathias — Asked why the language was not added directly to the existing subsection.
Chris Mathias — Questioned why the phrase 'religious worship' was not added directly to the subsection.
Chris Mathias — His question prompted the clarification.
Chris Mathias — Recorded as voting yes in the roll call.
Chris Mathias — The speaker refers generally to another legislator without naming them.
Chris Mathias — Misheard as 'Matthias'; votes yes.
Mike Pohanka — Representative Mike Pohanka was called up and presented a minor modification to his reckless driving proposal for District 26, explaining that he added the word 'active' to the language so the reckless driving provision applies to speeding in an active school zone or construction zone. He then asked for the measure, RS 3-3101, to be moved forward, noting it had already received approval previously.
Mike Pohanka — Asked about the cost of the counter-drone system and whether one system could cover multiple correctional areas.
Mike Pohanka — Recorded as voting yes in the roll call.
Mike Pohanka — Mike Pohanka is mentioned multiple times in the same voting sequence, with his name misheard in different ways ('Paul Honka,' 'Polonka,' and 'Polanka'), and each mention records him as voting yes.
Bruce Skaug — Addressed as chairman.
Bruce Skaug — Identified as chairman and associated with the RS discussion.
Bruce Skaug — Chairman Skaug is referenced as the person being addressed earlier in the presentation context.
Bruce Skaug — The Chair is referenced in the discussion about whether drones can be shot down.
Bruce Skaug — Bruce Skaug is referenced repeatedly as chair during a brief procedural sequence: first during the roll call vote, then while introducing the next bill, and again as Mr. Chairman as the bill is introduced.
Bruce Skaug — The speaker addresses the chair as 'Mr. Chairman' in the course of answering questions.
Bruce Skaug — The speaker continues responding to a question from the chair and a representative.
Bruce Skaug — The chair is addressed during the follow-up question.
Bruce Skaug — The chair is addressed again during the response and follow-up.
Bruce Skaug — The witness references the chair's earlier point about staffing.
Bruce Skaug — Referenced as the sponsor or advocate for the bill's efforts.
Bruce Skaug — Bruce Skaug, acting as chair, opened the discussion by thanking the mayor and asking for questions. The exchange continued with committee remarks and his request that the bill be sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation, followed by the roll call vote in which he was identified as chair.
Ted Hill — Ted Hill introduces House Bill 522 and explains that it addresses the threat of unmanned aircraft systems or drones flying into the security zones of correctional facilities. He describes concerns about drones being used to deliver contraband and discusses the need for response measures, while noting the limits of state authority and the FAA’s ultimate control over airspace. He also responds to questions about drone capabilities, including speed, altitude, payload, and the possibility of swarm threats, emphasizing why legislative action is needed to address prison security risks.
Ted Hill — Identified as the sponsor of the bill and praised for his Navy pilot experience and service.
Ted Hill — Praised for his Navy service and identified as the bill sponsor.
Ted Hill — His concern about contraband delivery by drone was acknowledged.
Ted Hill — Invited to rebut the testimony and make a statement before discussion.
Ted Hill — Argued that drone flight rights are limited by temporary flight restrictions and restricted facilities.
Ted Hill — Recorded as voting yes in the roll call.
Ted Hill — Likely the sponsor being addressed as Lieutenant and later as Representative V. Hart in the transcript; context suggests Representative Hill is being questioned.
Ted Hill — Votes yes.
Heather Scott — Heather Scott was addressed about the proposal’s wording and responded that she wanted the worship portion to be very clear, reiterating that the language was intended to clearly prohibit intrusion into private worship space.
Heather Scott — Called during the roll call vote.
Heather Scott — Heather Scott participates in a trafficking-related exchange, first asking about the difference between trafficking and prostitution and continuing the discussion with follow-up remarks and thanks. She then shifts to a related question about how trafficking cases are coordinated with the Fusion Center and the Attorney General's office.
Heather Scott — Representative Scott continued a series of questions to Mr. Gillis about human trafficking, asking whether the reported trafficking figures also apply in larger cities and nationally, whether men are also trafficked, and what happens to children born to trafficking victims.
Heather Scott — Asked about liability if cases are handed to the Attorney General's office without sufficient resources.
Heather Scott — Asked about liability and resource constraints.
Heather Scott — Followed up by asking why this is happening and whether prosecutors are not doing their job.
Heather Scott — Pressed on whether the issue is cross-jurisdictional or due to prosecutors not doing their job.
Heather Scott — Referenced as someone the office has been clear with about resource needs.
Heather Scott — Referenced in the closing transition as the person who may wrap up.
Heather Scott — Makes the motion to send House Bill 518 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Heather Scott — Her motion is taken up for discussion and vote.
Heather Scott — Named during roll call vote.
Mr. Chad Page — Mr. Chad Page from IDOC is introduced as the witness who will discuss drone threats and the number of incursions in the airspace.
Mr. Dirk Manley — Identified as a professional on drone detection interdiction from Bounder Creek Partners who will discuss capabilities and future solutions.
Mr. Dirk Manley — Mr. Dirk Manley testified that drones pose an immediate threat to community safety, critical infrastructure, businesses, and especially correctional facilities, citing Idaho examples such as prisons and the Boise Airport, as well as incidents involving drones over a stadium with large crowds. He emphasized that drones are already being used to smuggle drugs and contraband into prisons, including through tactics like dropping modems or Wi-Fi routers to enable inmate communications, and referenced examples such as Georgia’s Operation Skyhawk. In response to questions, he explained that there is no single solution to stopping drones and described a layered counter-UAS approach: detection through radar and passive sensors, visual confirmation with infrared and EO cameras, and defeat options such as Wi-Fi/GPS jamming or other non-kinetic and kinetic methods. He also noted that consumer drones can carry meaningful payloads and be adapted for dangerous uses, and that counter-drone systems vary in cost and capability depending on the facility and desired coverage.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Barbara Ehardt participates in a continuous exchange with the chairman and follow-up discussion about drone regulations and capabilities, including questions about drone altitude, airspace limits, size, and operational capability.