Jim Guthrie — Asks what benefits the bill would provide.
Ron Taylor — Seconded the motion to approve the January 14, 2026 minutes.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor is addressed respectfully and engages in a brief exchange that includes a question about whether a 30-day window would compress the existing comment process.
Ron Taylor — Senator Ron Taylor first seconded the motion to hold Senate Bill 1238, then followed up with remarks supporting the resolution. He noted that commissioners in his districts strongly support it and emphasized the importance of water quality funding for agriculture.
Ron Taylor — Seconded the motion.
Ron Taylor — Senator Hart asked whether the project could rely on existing permits or would need to start the permitting process over. In response, Ms. Hendrickson explained that there are existing EISs at the Delamar site and addressed the permitting history, indicating the discussion was focused on what prior approvals or environmental reviews could be used.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris reviewed the meeting minutes and moved approval of the January 19, 2026 minutes and the January 21, 2026 minutes.
Mark Harris — Asks whether the language could be adjusted to ease outfitters' concerns.
Mark Harris — Presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and began explaining its background.
Mark Harris — Explained why a concurrent resolution is being used instead of a bill.
Mark Harris — Confirmed that, to his knowledge, all districts were involved and that the resolution language came from the meeting.
Mark Harris — Asked for final remarks after testimony concluded.
Julie VanOrden — Seconded the motion to approve the January 19th, 2026 minutes.
Senator Foreman — Senator Foreman was introduced for the record and then responded to questions about the current comment period, explaining that it varies and is currently about 14 to 16 days. He then began addressing a follow-up question about whether there might be a workaround or alternative approach.
Dan Foreman — Introduced himself as Senator District 6 and presented the bill.
Doug Okuniewicz — Likely the intended senator being addressed, though the transcript says 'Senator O'Connowitz.'
Doug Okuniewicz — Asks how large Thompson Creek is in the global molybdenum market.
Eric Weisseth — Eric Weisseth is introduced and identifies himself as the executive director of the Idaho Outfitter and Guides Association. He explains that the association is not opposed to public comment, but is concerned that delaying the process could interfere with March big game season setting and the final tag numbers outfitters need to plan for the fall. He concludes that, because of these timing concerns, the association opposes the legislation.
Jeff Bitten — Jeff Bitten is introduced, then identifies himself as president of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and a longtime outfitter in Stanley. He goes on to explain that, as an outfitter who books hunters years in advance, the bill raises concerns for outfitters, particularly around tag numbers and the timing of when seasons are set. He concludes by stating that there are two problems with the bill, continuing his critique of its lack of clear timing language.
Van Burtenshaw — The chair responds to the request to hear from Fish and Game.
Van Burtenshaw — The chair states he would entertain a motion to hold the bill, then immediately calls for a vote by asking for those in favor and opposed.
Van Burtenshaw — During the committee exchange, the chair was addressed by a speaker who noted that there are two existing EISs at the Delamar site, and the chair then welcomed the witness to the committee.
Ellery Tucker Williams — Ellery Tucker Williams, the legislative and community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, explains that the department does not take positions on bills. In the same exchange, he says the department’s intent would be to handle the process early enough to avoid affecting the March commission meeting, though he cannot guarantee that because timing pinch points are not yet known. He also notes that the bill’s benefit would be greater consistency for sportsmen, including through a more predictable comment period.
Tori O'Neill — Tori O'Neill was introduced as a virtual witness and then testified on behalf of Idaho's soil conservation districts. She identified herself as president of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts and a local supervisor, and she spoke in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and the proposal to house the Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. After her testimony, committee members thanked her and later referenced her comments as clearly explaining the process and reasons behind the proposal.
Matt Weaver — Said he was not taking a position on the bill and described the stakeholder process leading to the resolution.
Kevin Cook — Asked whether the merger could dilute the agency's focus on water.
Kevin Cook — Moved to send SCR 115 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook questions the witness about the mine and its development, first asking how molybdenum is used in nuclear applications and then following up by asking whether the mine is only now beginning to dig despite claims being staked in 1967.
Director Weaver — Responded that the merger would not dilute the agency's focus on water.
Don Weeks — Don Weeks, general manager of Thompson Creek Mining Company, introduces the company as a junior of Centerra Gold and explains that Thompson Creek is a U.S.-based molybdenum mine in Idaho. He describes the mine’s location, the role of molybdenum, and the company’s integrated model of sourcing, developing, processing, and selling in the U.S. He then gives a brief history of the mine from the original claims in 1967 and initial operations in 1983 through Centerra’s 2016 acquisition, the Phase 8 permitting and bonding completed in 2023, and the restart of operations after care and maintenance. Weeks also outlines current achievements such as workforce growth, completion of engineering and monitoring work, fleet refurbishment, and the company’s path toward 2026 production, including expected output of about 10 million pounds per year over the next 12 years.
Ben Davenport — Ben Davenport of the Idaho Mining Association introduced himself, thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak, and then concluded his remarks by thanking the committee again and turning the presentation over to company representatives.
Matthew Zito — Introduced as the next presenter from Liberty Gold.
Matthew Zietlo — Matthew Zietlo, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Liberty Gold, introduces himself and presents an overview of the Black Pine Mine project. He explains that the project is just across the Utah border, notes the mix of land ownership in the area, and describes the site's history of intermittent mining over roughly 100 years, most recently in the 1990s. He also mentions reclamation, the lack of surface water, and wildfire impacts.
Pegasus Mining — Referenced as the company that operated the Black Pine Mine in the 1990s.
Black Pine Mine — The Black Pine Mine is discussed as a historically active mine site, with mining dating back to the late 1800s. The speaker notes that Pegasus Mining operated the mine in the 1990s at the same location and that the site was later acquired by Liberty Gold. The mention also places the mine in the context of historical production and reclamation.
Liberty Gold — Described as acquiring the claims and ownership in 2016 and conducting active exploration since then.
Pegasus — Pegasus is described as the former operator of the Black Pine Mine, employing about 150 people and running the operation until late 1997 or early 1998, when the parent company went out of business for reasons unrelated to the mine. The discussion also notes that Pegasus left behind four existing open pits at the site.
Black Pine — Used as shorthand for the Black Pine Mine project in the discussion of its rebirth and permitting status.
Black Pine project — Described as having a projected 17-year mine life, about 300 employees, and 11,000 acres of project area.
McKinsey Lion — McKinsey Lion was introduced as the next witness and asked to state their name and who they represent. Lion then identified themselves as McKinsey Lion, Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Perpetua Resources.
Perpetua Resources — Perpetua Resources is identified as the company represented by the witness, and the witness then describes Perpetua’s Stibnite Gold Project, located in the historical Stibnite mining district in Valley County.
Stibnite Gold Project — Introduced as the project being discussed.
Phil Hart — Asked for a breakdown of property ownership and whether the state of Idaho owns any of the mine development property.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asks whether the permitting process is scientific or political and asks about agency interactions.
Emily Hendrickson — Introduced herself as manager of external affairs for Integral Resources and began testimony on the Delamar project in Hawaii County.
Ms. Hendrickson — Ms. Hendrickson explained that the Delamar project has years of baseline data and is in the process of completing air quality and groundwater models. She also noted that there are two existing EISs for the Delamar site and that exploration has been conducted under modifications to those EISs.
Peter McCrae / Peter McRae — Introduced himself and identified his affiliation with America's Golden Silver.
Peter McCrae — Peter McCrae introduced U.S. Silver Idaho as the owner of the Galena Mine in Idaho’s Silver Valley and described the company’s economic impact, including more than 300 jobs and a recent collective bargaining agreement with steelworkers. He explained that the company is Reno-based and recently underwent a major recapitalization, bringing in new management and raising $50 million in private placement, with Eric Sprott involved in the transaction. He also noted the acquisition of the Crescent Silver Mine and emphasized that new capital is allowing the company to move forward quickly with more efficient and safer mining methods. McCrae discussed the Silver Valley’s historic silver production, said the company believes it can repeat that level of output, and added that the company has always produced antimony, recently producing over 500,000 pounds and considering building its own antimony facility.
Jim Guthrie — Seconded the motion to approve the January 21, 2026 minutes.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Cole is again referenced as asking a follow-up question.