James Woodward — Vice Chair James Woodward discussed the military rank and pay structure, arguing that personnel should remain aligned with U.S. military active-duty pay. He then recognized the general for his service and began discussing rank insignia, prompting appreciative responses from the general and others for his experience and help in explaining military rank and service.
Cindy Carlson — Called to answer roll.
Cindy Carlson — Asks why there is no ongoing rescission in the fiscal year 2027 budget.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Called to answer roll.
Codi Galloway — Codi Galloway was called during roll call and asked to answer.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Janie Ward-Engelking was called during roll call and asked to answer the roll.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Ward-Engelking questioned the status of nursing staffing at the veterans home, asking how the division is doing, whether it still has trouble hiring and retaining nurses, and whether it continues to rely on contract nurses. The discussion was then redirected to the administrator, where she reiterated concerns about the ongoing nursing staff shortage and asked whether staffing was improving.
Melissa Wintrow — Melissa Wintrow was called during roll call and answered the roll.
Melissa Wintrow — Asked what impact the 3% rescission has had on the division and whether scholarship funding is at risk.
Melissa Wintrow — Continued her question about the effect of the 3% rescission and whether scholarship support is at risk.
Melissa Wintrow — Expressed concern about further reductions to the education assistance funding.
Melissa Wintrow — The chair notes that Senator Burkey's question had already been asked; the transcript does not clearly identify the senator by name beyond 'Burkey.'
Steven Tanner — Representative Steven Tanner was called during roll call and answered the roll.
Steve Miller — Called during roll call.
Rod Furniss — Called during roll call; transcription says Furness.
Rod Furniss — Addressed by the director in response to the policy comments and request for analysis.
James Petzke — Called during roll call; transcription says Petsky.
Dustin Manwaring — Called during roll call.
Brandon Mitchell — Called during roll call.
Elaine Price — Called during roll call.
Elaine Price — Representative Elaine Price is recognized, asks why the $60,000 EMS transition costs are listed as an ongoing enhancement rather than a one-time expense, and the discussion moves into the response to her question.
Elaine Price — Representative Price asks who is eligible to participate in the PERSI program, including whether nongovernmental organizations can participate. The discussion then continues with the witness checking whether the explanation answers his question. Price follows up with a separate but related question about what the 'other' category on the slide refers to, and later the exchange is referenced as the same question in the ongoing discussion.
Elaine Price — Representative Price asks what the 'other' employer category includes and whether any NGOs participate in PERSI. The director responds to that question, and Price then follows up by requesting a list of the entities that were grandfathered in.
Chris Bruce — Called during roll call.
Chris Bruce — Chris Bruce requested an update on the EMS program, asking about the transition, current status, and outlook. He then followed up by asking for an explanation of why the transition occurred and what results it produced. He later continued the discussion by referencing a chief of staff ride-along with Ada County Paramedics and noting that they were still trying to understand the final cost.
Chris Bruce — Addressed as the member asking about the highest cost driver in expenditures.
Chris Bruce — Mr. Bruce was asked if he had another question and then offered a brief comment thanking the administrator and staff for helping veterans get answers to their questions.
Chris Bruce — Representative Bruce asks for an explanation of the increase in administrative costs/PERSI administrative figures from the 2023 actuals through the 2025 and 2026 numbers, questioning whether the growth is driven by added users or some other factor and seeking clarification on the consolidated fund analysis figures.
Chris Bruce — Addressed by the director in response to the comment about meeting accessibility.
Mark Harris — Called during roll call.
Mark Harris — Asks about a $577,000 variance in 2025 and whether current spending aligns with appropriations.
Brooke Green — Called during roll call.
Brooke Green — Called on after the administrator's response.
Francis Lippett — Introduced herself as a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office and began the presentation.
Ms. Pelloni — Ms. Pelloni is referenced as having given a presentation on deficiency warrants a few weeks earlier.
Ms. Lippett — Ms. Lippett concludes her remarks and remains available for questions about the budget. During the ensuing exchange, she explains that the questioned EMS transition amounts are operating costs tied to administrative staff supporting EMS under a different program, and she is asked to clarify the budget presentation and apparent inconsistencies.
General Donnellan — Identified as present to answer questions about the division's request.
Jordan Redman — Representative Jordan Redman questions why the budget materials repeatedly add and remove the unallocated CEC for three FTP positions across different sections of the military budget and budget book, asking why the positions appear to be moving around. The discussion then continues into whether employee compensation increases apply to those three FTP positions.
Major Donnellan — The committee invites Major Donnellan to the microphone and asks him to introduce staff.
Major General Tim Donnellan — Introduces himself as the Adjutant General for Idaho and director of the Idaho Military Division.
Lewis Hoggard — Identified as chief of staff.
Kevin Hickey — Identified as chief financial officer.
Ben Robber — Identified as Bureau Chief for the Office of Emergency Management.
Ben Call — Ben Call is identified as the Bureau Chief for Public Safety Communications and is then praised for the excellent work his office has done maintaining the public safety communications network.
Wayne Denny — Wayne Denny is identified as the Bureau Chief for Emergency Medical Services and the new EMS chief, and he is praised for leading a smooth transition of EMS responsibilities from the Department of Health and Welfare to the Military Division with no loss of capability to the state.
Ben Rober — Named again as Bureau Chief for Emergency Management.
Mr. Denny — Praised for offering an incredible capability and helping with the EMS transition.
Francis Lippitt — Francis Lippitt, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, introduces herself for the record and begins her presentation.
Francis Lippitt — Identified herself as a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.