Chris Mathias — Moved to approve the minutes for February 10 and 11, 2026.
Chris Mathias — Chris Mathias argued that the bill could end up costing taxpayers more by discouraging school districts from choosing lower bids. Using a school roof project example, he questioned why a district would select the $90,000 bid if the proposal creates incentives to favor higher bids. He concluded that while he supports flexibility, it should remain within existing accountability measures.
Chris Mathias — Representative Matthias responds, arguing the system worked because voters removed school board members.
Chris Mathias — Recorded as voting no; transcript says 'Matthias.'
Chris Mathias — Recorded as voting yes; transcript says 'Matthias.'
Chris Mathias — Referenced as a colleague whose earlier comments are being responded to.
Chris Mathias — Church says the prior committee conversation helped bring this discussion forward.
Chris Mathias — Asks Church about the scope of the administrative staff definition and whether it is too broad.
Chris Mathias — Asks whether the administrative duties language is too broad.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Pickett asked whether JFAC determinations would move into the policy realm and followed up with questions about how supplemental funds would be used. He then noted his general support for the bill, referencing prior discussion and his vote last year, while raising concerns about charter school discretion.
Douglas Pickett — Said he understands the intent but wants to drill down further on the issue.
Douglas Pickett — Asked how inappropriate expenditures are determined and whether the conversation is between the department, JFAC, and the district.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Pickett is directly addressed and the speaker responds to his concern.
Douglas Pickett — Douglas Pickett is recorded in the roll-call vote sequence, first voting no twice and then voting yes.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Pickett is called on by the chair, thanks the chair, compliments Representative Church’s presentation of the RS, moves to introduce RS 33152C1, and then confirms that his light is still on when the chair checks whether he has more to add.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz questioned the bill’s statutory approach, repeatedly asking why a statute is needed if JFAC can provide intent language and flexibility. She expressed concern that the bill’s language could limit the flexibility charters and other entities rely on, and noted a broader tension between rigid statutory requirements and the need for adaptable funding or facility-related provisions.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz begins a comment on the substitute motion.
Soñia Galaviz — So ia Galaviz is recorded in the roll-call vote, first as voting no and later as voting yes, indicating two separate vote entries for the same member within the same voting sequence.
Dan Garner — Representative Harris responded to the question about whether the bill restricts charter flexibility.
Dan Garner — Explained that the bill may restrain flexibility but would not take it away, and said intent language can give discretion on how funds are used.
Dan Garner — Argued that the bill would preserve discretion after needs are met while adding accountability for misuse of facilities funds.
Dan Garner — Said audits should catch misuse of funds and argued for accountability across government without shrinking school budgets.
Dan Garner — Representative Harris interrupted to respond to Representative Nelson's remarks.
Dan Garner — Said the bill does not take away school board ability and emphasized JFAC's ability to create intent language.
Dan Garner — Argued that flexibility remains but oversight is necessary because the funds are tax dollars.
Dan Garner — Said legislators have responsibility for oversight and should step in when schools do something they are not supposed to do.
Dan Garner — Representative Pickett directed the question to Representative Harris.
Dan Garner — Explained that audits should identify how funds were used and that the audit would go to the State Board of Education.
Dan Garner — Representative Harris is being asked whether he has confidence in the bill's path through the department and JFAC.
Dan Garner — Was asked to address concerns that the bill may need more development and that the department may not produce the desired results.
Dan Garner — Representative Gardner asks a question about whether the bill reduces incentives to be frugal.
Dan Garner — Representative Gardner asks whether the bill would reduce incentives to be frugal.
Dan Garner — Said the bill looks like micromanagement and expressed trust in school districts to decide how best to use funds.
Dan Garner — Dan Garner is recorded in the roll-call vote, first as voting no and then as voting yes twice in subsequent entries, reflecting consecutive vote mentions for the same member during the same voting sequence.
James Woodward — Representative Harris referred to Representative Matthias in the course of discussion.
Jack Nelsen — Jack Nelsen raised a series of related points about the bill and school governance. He asked for a comment and then a question, argued that the committee should move forward without seeking permission, and expressed concern that charter innovation is not being applied to public schools. He then questioned how the bill’s funding would work if money were sent back to the state and later reallocated through JFAC, warning that returning funds to the general fund would delay redistribution. Throughout, he emphasized that local school boards provide accountability, deserve respect, and should have the flexibility to run schools according to local conditions. The final mention notes that Representative Harris was responding to his concerns.
Jack Nelsen — Jack Nelsen is recorded twice in the roll call, first as voting no and later as voting yes.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Harris called on Representative Ehardt, and Ehardt responded that she was about to turn off her light and yield for comment.
Barbara Ehardt — Barbara Ehardt explains that she voted for the bill last year but has since grown more concerned about charter school and traditional public school spending. She says she is probably not going to support the bill as written, appreciates the effort, but indicates she will likely vote no and would prefer stronger, more direct language to address noncompliance.
Barbara Ehardt — Recorded as voting no.
Barbara Ehardt — Recorded as voting yes.
Barbara Ehardt — Named as someone who may make a motion on printing the RS.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent is referenced as the chair/presiding member during a procedural exchange, including duplicate mentions of 'Mr. Chair' and a follow-up comment that there are no lights at the moment as the meeting transitions toward testimony.
Dave Lent — Chair is referenced as calling the next speaker back up; the transcript says 'Representative Harris' in context, but this appears to be Representative Harris returning to respond.
Dave Lent — Representative Harris is cited as having spoken earlier about the bill increasing accountability.
Andy Grover — Executive Director of the Idaho Association of School Administrators; begins testimony opposing House Bill 634.
Dale Hawkins — Chairman Dale Hawkins is repeatedly addressed during a single testimony exchange, with speakers thanking him and directing remarks to him as the discussion proceeds.
Dale Hawkins — Chairman Dale Hawkins is recorded in consecutive roll-call votes, first voting yes and later voting no.
Mr. Grover — Grover responds that school budgets are already very tight.
Mr. Grover — Referenced as having raised concerns about discretionary spending and school budgets.