Andrea Thompson — Andrea Thompson is introduced and then identifies herself as the Administrator of the Plant Industries Division at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
Andrea Thompson — Is asked to explain the need for the standards and their benefit.
Andrea Thompson — Begins responding to Senator Lakey's question about standardization and export purposes.
Andrea Thompson — Explained that export seed standards vary by organization and that claimed germination percentages must meet agreed-upon minimums for international shipment.
Andrea Thompson — Introduced herself and presented the rules governing registrations and licenses for commercial feed, fertilizer, and soil and plant amendments.
Andrea Thompson — Introduced the beans rule docket and identified herself as administrator for the Plant Industries Division.
Andrea Thompson — Ms. Thompson concluded her presentation and invited questions or public comment from the Bean Commission.
Andrea Thompson — Andrea Thompson introduced herself and presented the invasive species and noxious weeds rules.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey asks why the bill incorporates outside standards by reference and what benefit that provides to the state, with the discussion focusing on the need to standardize seed testing requirements. He then raises a follow-up question about why the incorporated standards do not include a specific date, noting that such references usually do. The response and later reference explain that the standards are updated annually, addressing his concern about how rolling updates would be handled.
Todd Lakey — Senator Cole thanked the presenter and then asked why the rule is being considered now, whether it applies to this year, and whether it should include a sunset date. The discussion was then deferred to Deputy Director Knight, who responded to Cole’s concerns about the quarantine area and temporary rule process. The exchange concluded with thanks after Knight’s response.
Todd Lakey — Senator Craig is mentioned as having inserted a line item/earmark; the name appears as 'Senator Craig' and is not in the expected member list, so no ID assigned.
Todd Lakey — Senator Todd Lakey questioned Mr. Knight about the Mormon cricket problem in his district, asking whether non-agricultural producers such as ranchers and residents can contact the department for help. He then followed up by asking whether federal agencies respond more effectively than private landowners and what could be done to improve federal response. Mr. Knight responded to both parts of the exchange.
Todd Lakey — Not mentioned in this section.
Ms. Thompson — Was asked to explain why the referenced standards do not include dates.
Ms. Thompson — Explained that the standards are rolling publications updated multiple times per year to keep pace with industry changes.
Ms. Thompson — Introduced as the presenter for the next docket.
Ms. Thompson — Introduced as the presenter for the beans docket.
Ms. Thompson — Concluded her presentation on invasive species response and offered to answer questions or provide a later update.
Ms. Thompson — Senator Cole addresses his questions to Ms. Thompson.
Ms. Thompson — Senator Cole's questions are directed to Ms. Thompson before the response is deferred.
Ms. Thompson — Knight refers back to Ms. Thompson's earlier explanation of the seed standards.
Ms. Thompson — Her division houses staff and equipment that scout infestations statewide.
Lloyd Knight — Introduces himself as Deputy Director for the Department and begins explaining the temporary rule process.
Mr. Knight — Thanked after providing the explanation.
Tammy Nichols — Chairwoman Nichols is addressed as the chair as the time is returned to her, and she is thanked/acknowledged while the presentation or informational hearing is brought forward.
Tammy Nichols — Tammy Nichols is repeatedly addressed by the chair and committee members during the meeting, with several brief acknowledgments such as “Madam Chair,” “Madam Chairman,” and “Chairman Nichols,” indicating a continuous sequence of recognition and formal address rather than separate substantive exchanges.
Mr. Lloyd Knight — Announced as the next presenter on rats.
Dave Lent — Mr. Knight is invited to present; the chair thanks him for being here.
Dave Lent — Senator Dave Lent asked about the likelihood of farmer bridge assistance payments by state and the potential market impact of those payments.
Lloyd Knight, Deputy Director at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture — Introduces himself and says he will give an abridged presentation.
Carrie Semmelroth — Carrie Semmelroth asked about the GIS capabilities and how Idahoans might use them to submit rat-related data. Mr. Knight responded that this kind of data collection through GIS is possible. The exchange concluded with thanks to Senator Semmelroth and Mr. Knight for the presentation.
Mr. Wilder — Introduced as the next presenter on the financial condition of Idaho agriculture.
Brett Wilder — Introduced himself as an assistant professor and area extension educator with the University of Idaho, presenting on Idaho agriculture's financial condition.
Ron Taylor — Seconded the motion to approve the minutes.
Ron Taylor — Pointed out a typo or misquote in the prepared remarks.
Ron Taylor — Ron Taylor noted that placing the issue under Title 39 would put it under abatement district authority rather than invasive species authority, and asked whether county commissioners and other recognized state officials already having that authority might make an abatement district a more timely way to address the rat problem than pursuing a legislative process. His comment was acknowledged as something to consider.
Christy Zito — Took over the meeting to conduct the rules portion.
Christy Zito — Was addressed in the response regarding rolling publication updates.
Christy Zito — Recognized as the next speaker after Senator Cole's question.
Christy Zito — Ms. Thompson defers the question to Deputy Director Knight through Vice Chair Zito.
Julie VanOrden — Moved to approve the minutes of January 27, 2026.
Julie VanOrden — Addressed as Madam Chair.
Christy Zito — Acknowledged after the rule review concludes.