Melba High School — Waite said he is originally from Melba High School.
University of Idaho — Two speakers briefly introduce themselves as University of Idaho students: one says they are studying food and nutrition there, and the other adds that they are also attending the University of Idaho.
Lizzie Mueller — Introduced herself, described her agricultural experience, and said she hopes to become an agricultural educator.
Emily Sorenson — Introduced herself and described her education and SAE projects.
Brigham Young University — Emily Sorenson said she is studying there in Provo, Utah.
Gabe Kittamara — Introduced himself as Idaho FFA state treasurer and described his SAE and favorite competition.
Anna Hernandez — Introduced herself as state reporter and described her studies and FFA projects.
Meridian — Gabe Kittamara said he is from Meridian.
American Falls — Anna Hernandez said she is originally from American Falls.
Ali Meisenheimer — Introduced herself as state sentinel and described her education and FFA experience.
Hadley Brown — Will present the creed and reportedly won first place at nationals representing Idaho.
Hadley Brown — Hadley Brown, a Homedale High School sophomore and state creed speaking qualifier, is introduced and invited to explain her preparation for the FFA Creed competition. She thanks the committee, describes the process of advancing from chapter to district, state, and national levels, and then recites the FFA Creed. Afterward, committee members praise her performance and invite a brief response, during which she says creed speaking has helped her grow in public speaking and find her voice for agriculture.
Joshua Kohl — Representative Dygert engages with the FFA officers by asking questions and thanking them for their leadership, then provides a brief introduction before turning the time over to Hadley Brown. He notes the challenge of winning state and national creed speaking and invites Hadley to describe her preparation, while Hadley later references his explanation about the state-to-national progression.
Dori Healey — Representative Dori Healey offers a supportive comment based on her own experience, saying she started in a similar place, competed with the creed at the state level, and still remembers it; she notes that the skills gained will continue to be useful.
David Leavitt — Explained expected efficiencies from merging the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into IDWR, including technical support, shared services, and career growth opportunities.
David Leavitt — Continued describing overlapping services and emphasized employee career growth opportunities under the proposed merger.
David Leavitt — Stressed preserving the commission board's statutory function and its independent, locally led conservation role.
David Leavitt — Reassured the committee that the move to IDWR is not intended to make the commission more bureaucratic or regulatory.
David Leavitt — Said the bill should preserve the commission's non-regulatory function and resource sharing.
David Leavitt — Concluded sponsor remarks and invited questions before public testimony.
David Leavitt — Thanked for the presentation as the committee moved to public testimony.
David Leavitt — Thanked Jensen for meeting with him and asked whether the testimony meant support for House Bill 503 and SCR 115.
David Leavitt — Joked about not eating the gluten-free cookies last year and asked about dairy-free milk.
Braden Jensen — Braden Jensen, speaking for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, introduced himself and explained the organization’s position on the bill. He described the commission as a locally driven, non-regulatory conservation partner and said the Farm Bureau had originally opposed transferring the commission under IDWR because of concerns about mission creep. He then stated that the Farm Bureau was removing its opposition to House Bill 503 largely because SCR 115 addressed those concerns, while emphasizing that protecting the commission’s non-regulatory role remains the organization’s priority and that it will continue to watch the bill carefully.
Tori O'Neill — Tori O'Neill, president of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, testified in support of House Bill 503 and SCR 115. She explained that the two measures work together to move the commission within IDWR while preserving its integrity, voluntary structure, and non-regulatory mission. She also described discussions with district constituents, noted concerns about IDWR, and said the districts ultimately reached consensus to support the move and adopted a resolution endorsing it.
Mr. Jensen — Thanked by the committee and asked about his position on House Bill 503 and SCR 115.
Ms. O'Neill — Ms. O'Neill’s testimony is concluded, with the chair thanking her and acknowledging her support for both measures.
Ms. O'Neill — Thanked after testimony; likely the prior presenter.
Matthew Weaver — States he is the Administrator of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Director of the Department of Water Resources, and describes the process as credible and stakeholder-driven.
Steve Miller — Steve Miller introduces himself as the representative from Legislative District 24 and gives a detailed background on growing up in the Fairfield/Camas Prairie area, farming and ranching, and his long involvement with conservation districts and the National Association of Conservation Districts. He explains how his experience shaped his views on conservation policy, recounts past efforts to protect district identity and funding, and emphasizes that soil and water conservation districts should remain voluntary, locally led, and non-regulatory. He argues that local supervisors should retain authority over priorities and independence, notes the importance of statutory powers, funding, and permitting cooperation, and closes by asking for support and a do-pass motion on the measure.
Steve Miller — Referenced as having spoken earlier about how the board election process works.
Steve Miller — Referenced as having talked about serving on the IASCD board.
Ron Mendive — Ron Mendive was recognized by the chair and then moved that SCR 115 be sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Matt Weaver — Matt Weaver introduced himself as the Administrator of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources, then moved directly into the merger discussion, saying he would skip preamble and referencing prior presentations on the process used to consider merging the two agencies, including the commission’s small staffing size.
Tory — Asked if there were any questions for Tory after the presentation.
Brittany Hurst Marchant — Brittany Hurst Marchant is introduced as the Idaho Wheat Commission presenter and then identifies herself as the Executive Director of the Idaho Wheat Commission.
Torian — Referenced as having spoken earlier today.
Tim Freeberg — Tim Freeberg is identified as one of the current commissioners, specifically noted as being from Worley, up north.
Cliff Tacky — Named as a current commissioner.
Justin Place — Named as a current commissioner from Hamer.
Corey Cress — Named as a current commissioner.
Waynehurst — Named as a current commissioner; spelling uncertain.
Rachel Bickerton — Identified as the ex officio, non-voting commissioner representing the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho.
Ms. Hearst — Thanked for coming out; likely the person associated with the gluten-free cookies.
Ms. Morton — Thanked at the close of the meeting; likely the witness or presenter being addressed.
Jerald Raymond — Representative Nelson was recognized during the vote on approving the minutes and then received a joking follow-up remark after the vote, including a lighthearted exchange about his criticism of margarine and an invitation to boycott the prime rib if margarine is served next year.
Jerald Raymond — The chair acknowledged the director and invited Mr. Hitz to speak.
Shawn Dygert — Representative Diger was invited to introduce the FFA state officers and then expressed appreciation after the introduction.
Melissa Sherman — Identified as the executive director accompanying the FFA state officers.
Matt Waite / Matt Wait — Identified as the FFA state president from District 23, Melba.