Megan Egbert — Representative Megan Egbert moved to approve the minutes from the January 27 and February 5 meetings.
Megan Egbert — Representative Egbert said she intended to support the motion and asked that PERSI testify at the hearing, including providing details on how many funds would be affected.
Daniel Foreman — Opened the meeting and asked Representative Egbert about the minutes.
Jon Weber — Jon Weber is handed the gavel to preside over the meeting during the presentation of RS 33349, and is later addressed as the chairman while continuing in that role.
James Holtzclaw — James Holtzclaw introduced RS 33349 and explained that it would create a more consistent catastrophic death benefit for public safety officers. In response to committee questions, he clarified that the proposal would provide a $500,000 line-of-duty death payment, with a $75,000 lifetime benefit for the surviving spouse or children, replacing the current $100,000 benefit. He also noted he needed to research one calculation question further, explained that the funding is paid into PERSI and that EMS employees are willing to increase contributions to support the enhanced benefit, and then the chair was asked to return to the motion to introduce RS 33349.
Steven Tanner — Representative Tanner asked a series of related questions about the proposal’s benefit options, including whether the $75,000 option is a lifetime benefit and whether the $100,000 benefit is available in addition to the other options.
David Leavitt — Moved to introduce RS 33349.
David Leavitt — Representative Leavitt indicated he had a quick question and a motion, then moved to introduce RS 3343.
Anne Haws — Anne Haws asked how the payment/benefit amount is calculated over a lifetime and how long benefits would be paid, especially in cases involving a surviving spouse or children. The sponsor indicated the question would need further research and that the answer would be brought back later. Haws then reiterated her concern about the timing and duration of benefits for children, comparing it to life-expectancy-based calculations in wrongful death cases, and concluded that this was her main concern.
Erin Bingham — Representative Erin Bingham was recognized and asked follow-up questions about the funding and payment mechanism, specifically how the payment is financed and whether it would create a state liability.
Jeff Cornelis — Jeff Cornelis, representing District 12 in Nampa, introduced RS 33253 and explained that it would prevent employers from counting protected sick leave taken under a written policy as an absence or occurrence. He described how repeated sick leave use can currently lead to write-ups and, in some cases, termination after multiple occurrences, then concluded by inviting questions.
Ben Fuhriman — Moved to introduce RS 33253.
Ben Fuhriman — Representative Fuhrman repeatedly raised concerns that divestment or removing international stocks could negatively affect PERSI’s investment performance and returns for recipients. He asked whether Representative Hill had considered the impact, whether PERSI had been consulted, and noted that a portion of the fund is invested internationally. The discussion remained focused on the potential return implications of the proposed policy change.
Representative Cornelis — Questions were directed to him before the motion.
Lucas Cayler — Said he would support introduction but may vote no later, preferring to protect private interests over mandates.
Lori McCann — Asked how the bill protects employers from employees who are perpetually sick.
Lori McCann — Continued asking whether the bill includes protections for employers dealing with employees who are perpetually sick.
Lori McCann — Her question about employer protections is acknowledged.
Lori McCann — Asked how RS 33243 differs from a previously passed divestment bill.
Lori McCann — Asked a follow-up question about whether there had been a prior similar bill.
Lori McCann — Raised concern based on experience with a University of Idaho fund and the work caused by investment changes.
Lori McCann — Asked how the divestment process would work and whether accounts must be reported by a deadline.
Lori McCann — Asked the committee to avoid impugning motives of colleagues.
Ted Hill — Ted Hill, Representative for District 14 (Eagle and Emmett), introduced himself and presented RS 33243, the Foreign Adversary Divestment Act, explaining its purpose before noting he would meet with the Chinese consulate from San Francisco and then take questions.
Christy Zito — Representative Hill explains that the divestment proposal came directly from the treasurer and that he is not aware of any prior similar measure. He defends the bill’s objective as divesting state investments from adversary countries, especially China, even if returns are affected, and notes that divestment must be sequenced appropriately. He says he only spoke with the treasurer, describes himself as the mechanism rather than the accountant, and agrees it would be helpful for the treasurer to testify later or for PERSI to be consulted as needed.