Megan Egbert — Moves to accept the minutes from February 3rd and 4th.
Jordan Redman — Representative Jordan Redman is briefly referenced, then speaks to move House Bill 526 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, and is referenced again in the surrounding committee exchange.
Josh Wheeler — Representative Josh Wheeler introduces RS 33187 as the representative for District 35. A brief follow-up exchange occurs shortly afterward in which he is referenced during discussion, including a question and support for the bill and motion.
Dori Healey — Makes or supports the motion to introduce RS 33187.
Dori Healey — Asks whether Representative Ehlers's wife baked the cookies.
Ben Fuhriman — Ben Fuhriman is mentioned in passing as someone expected to arrive and ask questions, with a joking reference to waiting for him to show up. The discussion later returns to his questions again, keeping the focus on his anticipated or recurring role in the exchange.
Don Hall — The transcript appears to refer to Representative Furman, but the expected member list does not include Furman. This is likely a transcription error or misidentification.
Don Hall — The transcript again refers to Representative Furman, who is not in the expected member list; likely a misrecognition.
Marco Erickson — The chair questions Representative Marco Erickson about the $5,000 threshold, asking who is responsible for tracking it—whether it is the cottage food operator or the Tax Commission. Erickson responds to the enforcement and tracking issue, and the chair follows up on that same point.
Julie VanOrden — The chair is addressed as Chairman Van Orden.
Elizabeth Kreiner / Elizabeth Criner — Testified on behalf of Food Northwest, introducing concerns about the bill's drafting and food safety implications.
Elizabeth Criner — Elizabeth Criner, speaking for Food Northwest, identified her organization and raised concerns about how the bill is drafted and whether it aligns properly with existing cottage food rules. The exchange then moved into a question directed to her about allergen labeling, continuing the same discussion.
Ms. Criner — Emphasized the importance of allergen labeling and said the bill may not clearly require it.
Ilana Rubel — The transcript appears to misrecognize the speaker name as 'Representative Rebell'; likely Representative Rubel is asking the question.
Tanya Burgoyne — Representative Tanya Burgoyne is involved in a discussion about allergen awareness and consumer responsibility. The exchange centers on the need for buyers to be aware of what they are purchasing and eating, with the witness responding directly to her question and reinforcing the idea that responsibility also lies with the consumer.
Ms. Kreiner — Ms. Kreiner explained that she has a food allergy and used walnut oil as an example to illustrate why allergen labeling matters, noting that it can trigger a severe anaphylactic reaction and be life-threatening.
Josh Keyser — The transcript appears to misrecognize the speaker as 'Representative Kaler'; likely Representative Keyser is speaking or being referenced.
Brandon Shippy — The transcript appears to misrecognize the speaker asking for closing comments; exact identity uncertain.
Lori McCann — Representative McCann is part of a continuous exchange about cottage food labeling requirements. The discussion follows earlier remarks about cookies, ice cream, and bacon, and McCann asks whether bakers selling cookies at a farmers market must label their products under current cottage food rules. She then seeks clarification on whether the labeling requirement already exists in law and where it is specified.
Mark Harris — Representative Ehlers discussed the bill’s cottage-food framework, emphasizing that allergens and other required disclosures are already covered by existing labeling rules and IDAPA regulations. He explained that the bill would continue to apply cottage-food rules, including for time/temperature-controlled foods such as salsa, ice cream, and bacon, and framed the proposal as a balance between food safety and allowing small entrepreneurs to get started. He argued that consumers can make informed choices based on labels and noted that food safety issues can still occur even in highly regulated restaurants. The exchange ended with a light joke about bringing bacon, rather than cookies, to the floor.
Steven Tanner — Representative Tanner raised concern that time- and temperature-controlled foods could spoil if brought in, asking how the issue can be addressed. The exchange continued with the bill sponsor’s response about balancing safety considerations.
Robert Beiswenger — Supported the bill, saying consumers can choose grocery stores or restaurants if they want a more regulated option.