Tammy Nichols — Opened the meeting and welcomed attendees as chair.
Tammy Nichols — Tammy Nichols, acting as chair, is addressed at the close of the presentation and then opens the floor for committee questions to Ms. Poloni, including a question about exotic species in Idaho. The chairing role continues as the presentation flow is managed and the committee is addressed again.
Christy Zito — Identified as Vice Chair and expected to take over for rules.
Christy Zito — Vice Chair Christy Zito takes the gavel and leads procedural discussion on docket approvals, proposing approval of all dockets except one held docket. The exchange continues through the vote, where she is addressed as Madam Chair/Vice Chair, and concludes with thanks to her for handing back the gavel.
Ms. Poloni — Ms. Poloni concludes her presentation and offers to answer questions. A committee member asks about the exotic species request, and she explains that it included treatment for Mormon crickets, Japanese beetles, carnal bunt, and gypsy moths for the past year. She further says she has not seen any recommendation for specific policy changes and believes the items were selected to have the least impact on the program. The exchange ends with notes that she is available for follow-up questions, including questions about agriculture budgets.
Dave Lent — Senator Dave Lent raises and elaborates on a concern that budget decisions should be driven by policy rather than policy being shaped by budget constraints, specifically questioning the use of one-time holdbacks and ongoing cuts. The chair then acknowledges his comment.
Dave Lent — Senator Lent is repeatedly referenced throughout a budget and revenue discussion. The speakers note his earlier point about the bottom line and uncertainty, acknowledge his awareness of questions about the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and continue to cite him in relation to fiscal-year timing, revenue projections, and budget analysis. The discussion remains focused on how these fiscal issues affect planning and policy, including implications for future fiscal years.
Mr. Bybee — Introduced as the next presenter for the budget update.
Mr. Bybee — Mr. Bybee participated in a continuous discussion about the budget process and revenue updates, including the relationship between JFAC and working groups and preliminary January revenue figures. The exchange concluded with thanks for his presentation and financial insights.
Keith Bybee — Keith Bybee introduces himself as the division manager of budget policy analysis and indicates he will keep his presentation brief. He then continues the discussion of 1% budget cut requests, explaining that the work groups are reviewing agency plans and policy priorities and asking agencies to identify efficiencies and changes within their budgets rather than simply cutting entire programs. He notes that some cuts could have operational impacts, such as furloughs or fewer people on the roads in the case of State Police.
Mr. Kellan McGurkin — Named as the analyst who had previously done a better job explaining the issue.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Blaylock was called on to ask a question about the 2026 revenue projections and whether January revenue numbers were available. He then followed up by asking whether the January figures were trending with the legislature’s projection or the governor’s projection.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Blaylock’s question is discussed in the context of revenue timing, fiscal years, and revenue projections, with the speaker tying the question to committee recommendations and the broader fiscal implications.
Todd Lakey — Senator Todd Lakey is discussed throughout a procedural exchange about holding docket 020601-2501. The transcript notes that his earlier questions led to the docket being held, including questions about incorporation by reference and publication dates. Lakey then asks whether a motion is needed to hold the docket subject to call of the chair, makes that motion, and the discussion concludes with the understanding that the docket will be taken up again once his questions are answered.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden is identified as making the motion to approve the previously stated dockets as a whole.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden is identified as the maker of the motion that passed.
Julie VanOrden — Madam Chair is referenced in the procedural discussion.
Andrea Thompson — Andrea Thompson is cited as having said one of the documents changed four times in the last 12 months.
Ms. Thompson — Ms. Thompson is referenced as having explained changes in other dockets using the binder/book.