Brandon Shippy — Representative Josh Wheeler introduced himself as the representative for District 35, then was asked to clarify his amendment and explained that it removes strike-throughs so the current statutory references remain in place.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy thanked Mr. Larson and then sought confirmation that the bill does not impose new background-check requirements, but instead clarifies and codifies existing requirements while preserving the department’s ability to work with the FBI. His point was later referenced by Representative Wheeler as the same concern that no new requirements are being added.
Brandon Shippy — Asked a follow-up question about the consequences if the bill does not pass.
Brandon Shippy — Asked what happens if the FBI denies access and the bill fails.
Brandon Shippy — Was referenced as having gone through the foster care background check process with his wife.
Brandon Shippy — Asked for the motion to be restated after a member joined.
Brandon Shippy — Recorded as voting no.
Brandon Shippy — Asked a question of Representative Ehlers about consumer choice and food safety.
Brandon Shippy — Referenced as having criticized the speaker earlier about small business or entrepreneurs.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippey expressed support for the legislation while stressing that labeling is his main concern to prevent deception and avoid any implication of official inspection or safety assurance. He said consumers often rely on reviews and that Idaho should take a forward-looking approach to food sales. He described the bill as a prudent step, reiterated his support for raw milk based on personal experience, and argued that regulation does not eliminate foodborne illness. He also cited examples of a chicken seller whose product was privately tested and a court case where a seller showed his food was safer than store-bought meat, reinforcing his view that the bill supports liberty while guarding against fraud or misleading claims.
Jared Larson — Jared Larson, Chief of Staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, was introduced as the department representative who could answer technical questions. He then explained that the bill is needed to codify the department’s background-check authority in statute, because the FBI requires legislative enactment rather than just a rule. He clarified that the FBI reference was struck because the department does not submit directly to the FBI but works through Idaho State Police, and that the legislation aligns with the department’s move from rules to statute. Larson further noted that the FBI will not pre-review legislation and that access decisions are discretionary, so failing to enact the statute could jeopardize the department’s ability to maintain FBI access.
Jared Larson — Jared Larson was questioned about background check requirements for assisted living and whether Idaho could create or rely on a state-only background check system. He explained that without FBI access, the department could not fully comply with the law requiring background checks, and noted that a state-only system would likely be handled by state police but would still lack out-of-state conviction data available through the FBI.
Melissa Wintrow — Melissa Wintrow is addressed during discussion of an amendment and asks for clarification about whether the highlighted amendment reflects what the sponsor intends in the amending order. The exchange continues as others respond to her question and refer back to her while addressing the amendment issue.
Melissa Wintrow — Recorded as voting yes, then later as voting nay in the transcript; the roll call appears garbled.
Melissa Wintrow — Raised concerns that the bill's dollar threshold does not address food-safety risks.
Melissa Wintrow — Was addressed by the speaker.
Melissa Wintrow — Asked whether training or certification requirements should be added, citing allergies and food safety concerns.
Melissa Wintrow — Was asking about training and standards for time- and temperature-controlled foods.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Melissa Wintrow asks a final question about why broader cottage foods changes were not made earlier, then says she supports the bill’s intent but raises concerns about time- and temperature-controlled foods, safety, and labeling, suggesting that stronger labeling may be needed during the discussion of House Bill 526.
Mr. Larson — Mr. Larson responds to questions about the bill’s background-check provisions, explaining that the listed categories are the people subject to checks, that contractors are included only where specifically named, and that routine contractors like plumbers are not intended to be covered. He also addresses adoption-related language, stating that every adoption already requires a background check and that the bill is largely repeating existing code language at the FBI’s request rather than adopting federal public policy. Overall, he explains that the committee is trying to precisely codify the scope and process of background checks to satisfy federal requirements.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld asked whether contractors named in the bill would need background checks before doing repair work, then followed up with questions about how the bill applies to adoptive parent applicants, including grandparents adopting grandchildren, and why that language is being included again if it already exists in code. Mr. Larson responded to her questions during the same exchange.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Glenneda Zuiderveld was identified during the vote and recorded as voting yes; a later prompt sought to confirm her name for the same vote record.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Zuiderveld continued a brief response arguing that life itself involves risk and that ordinary activities are inherently risky. She illustrated the point with personal examples and humor, including growing up with informal food safety practices and joking that, by the same logic, she might as well avoid making dinner because of the risks involved. She then concluded by asking presenters to submit any additional comments in writing for the record.
Mark Harris — Asked whether the committee was ready for a motion and noted he expected Representative Wheeler to close.
Mark Harris — Asked to question Jared Larson.
Mark Harris — Asked what happens if the bill does not pass.
Mark Harris — Asked whether a nursing home would be in jeopardy if the bill did not pass.
Mark Harris — Recorded as voting no.
Mark Harris — Recorded as voting no.
Mark Harris — Senator/Representative Harris is discussed in a continuous exchange about the cottage foods bill. The sponsor argues the bill is meant to help small entrepreneurs get started, expand what cottage foods can be sold, and preserve labeling and allergen protections. In response to liability concerns, the sponsor says regulation does not eliminate all risk, compares liability to other cottage foods sold at farmers markets, and emphasizes that entrepreneurs must protect themselves against liability.
Representative Wheeler — Closed by emphasizing that the bill moves requirements from rule to statute and does not add new requirements.
Brian Lenney — Brian Lenney expressed concern about the bill, especially the FBI’s role in directing it, and indicated he did not want to kill the bill but might prefer holding it in committee for more information. He then stated he would vote no and proceeded to make a substitute motion.
Brian Lenney — Brian Lenney requested a roll call vote and was later recorded as participating in the vote, including being noted as voting aye and asking to be recorded on the vote.
Brian Lenney — Praises the bill sponsor and moves to send House Bill 526 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Brian Lenney — Senator Lenney expressed support for the bill, thanked colleagues for advancing it, and said he would support the motion. He then pushed back on criticism in the debate, calling some of the opposition fear mongering and defending the concerns of small business owners and raw milk consumers.
Jared Larson, Chief of Staff, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Jared Larson, Chief of Staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, is called on and identifies himself as ready to answer questions about the bill and its consequences if it does not pass.
Carl Bjerke — Recorded as voting aye.
Carl Bjerke — Carl Bjerke is referenced in connection with a motion being seconded; the transcript indicates the second was made by 'Senator Shippey,' though this appears to be a naming inconsistency in the source. The two mentions repeat the same procedural point and can be combined into a single moment.
Camille Blaylock — Called during the roll call; vote not clearly captured.
Camille Blaylock — Identified as the floor sponsor and noted as being in education at the time.
Julie VanOrden — Recorded as voting nay.
Julie VanOrden — Julie VanOrden is repeatedly addressed as 'Madam Chair' throughout the same legislative exchange, including during the close of testimony and later debate. The references are part of a continuous chair-directed discussion, with one instance also using 'Chairman,' but all mentions reflect the same ongoing interaction rather than separate topics.
Elizabeth Criner — Introduced herself and testified on behalf of Food Northwest in opposition to House Bill 526.
Ms. Greiner / Criner — The witness was addressed with a slightly garbled surname.
Ms. Kroner / Criner — The witness was addressed again, but the surname is inconsistent in the transcript.
Ms. Kriner / Kroner — Explained that the current labeling rules were designed for shelf-stable foods and do not require ingredient disclosure.
Ms. Kreiner — The witness was addressed by Senator Wintrow.
Ms. Craner / Criner — Responded that most states use standards for time- and temperature-controlled perishable foods.
Michael Kane — Michael Kane, representing the seven health districts, introduced himself and noted that he had Russ Duke, the Central District Executive Director, with him to help answer questions. He then continued by saying district directors are very concerned about the issue being discussed.
Russ Duke — Russ Duke, director of Central District Health, testified about public health concerns with the proposal. He said health districts educate the retail food industry and that labeling is helpful, but a dollar limit does not change the safety risk. He emphasized that environmental health specialists should be able to interact with people entering this type of food production, cited roughly 50 food-borne outbreaks in Idaho over the past five years, and used raw milk as an example of a regulated product that still poses risk. He concluded that the proposal could create a statewide challenge.