Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 19th, 2026

Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee

Key Moments

  • Eric Hikes — Introduced himself as being from Boise and working for Northwestern.
  • Eric Hage — Introduced himself as being from Boise and working for an unclear employer.
  • Medicaid / Sotomay / Minnesota Springs — Unclear self-introduction; said they are finance director for a county.
  • Neck Loose / Rove Mule — Unclear self-introduction; mentioned working for an unclear organization.
  • Jordan Bowley — Introduced himself with an unclear employer or role related to resources.
  • Novi Vermeeris — Introduced herself as living in Meridian and employed with USDA Rural Development in Caldwell.
  • Rowan Ross — Introduced himself as a farm manager for Grand Footy Farms in Boise.
  • Rowan Roth — Introduced himself as a farm manager from Boise.
  • Keating Fitzgerald — Introduced himself as a calf manager for his family's dairy farm.
  • J.C. Price — Introduced himself as being from Geneva and a six-generation rancher.
  • Chelsea Romano — Introduced herself as a land resource specialist with the Idaho Department of Lands and said she is from Shoshone.
  • Lindsey Copey — Introduced herself as living in Paul and contracting barley with Rehnheuser-Bush.
  • Mackery Taylor — A student or participant was referenced with an unclear introduction, possibly from Meridian and associated with AgTech Academy High School in Canyon.
  • Bailey Storms — Introduced herself as being from Idaho Falls and working as a relationship manager.
  • Dino Vinci — Introduced himself as managing the Sheep Center for the University of Idaho.
  • Brandon Delis Reyes — Introduced himself as from Chubbuck and working for Simplot's agribusiness; the rest of the sentence is unclear.
  • Charlie — The committee recognized Charlie for his work as a page and invited him to speak.
  • Charlie Butler — Identified himself and began describing his experience serving as a page.
  • Camille Blaylock — Camille Blaylock asked Charlie what he planned to do after finishing his page service, was then prompted to comment, and responded by saying she had known Charlie since he was a little boy, had been his Cub Scout master, and praised his growth and work as a page.
  • Jamie Higham — Introduced himself as being with the Idaho Potato Commission and began the presentation.
  • Sam Eaton — Sam Eaton is introduced as the commission’s legal and government affairs representative, and shortly afterward he is addressed to move the presentation to the next slide.
  • Darren Bitter — Identified as the commission's current chairman and a grower in the Mud Lake-Terreton area.
  • Julie VanOrden — Senator Julie VanOrden is referenced and then asks whether there are other factors affecting agriculture beyond labor, financial, and environmental issues. The discussion continues with a direct response to her, noting that the issues she identified appear to cover the major concerns.
  • Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden is introduced as the next speaker and then immediately responds, thanking the chair and beginning her remarks about Idaho Foods marketing mashed potatoes with added protein, noting it may appeal to consumers using GLP-1 medications.
  • Ron Taylor — Not mentioned in this section.
  • Carrie Semmelroth — Addressed as 'Senator Merrill' in the transcript, but the expected member list does not include Merrill; likely a transcription mismatch.
  • Amaya Yerlanda — Introduced herself and began speaking to the committee.
  • Amaya Yeri Landa — Identified herself as the Executive Director of the Idaho Green Producers Association and noted the board was in Boise for meetings and legislative events.
  • Dustin Camp House — Introduced himself and said he works for Great Western Malting as foreign business manager.
  • Patrick Williamson — Introduced himself as owner and manager for Wings and Orchards and Vineyards in Hailey.
  • Brian Slaybaugh — Brian Slaybaugh introduced himself and identified that he is from Kuna.
  • Paul Rosemicoe — Introduced himself as being from Boise and working for Sempley.
  • Valerie Rensiga — Introduced herself as living in Twin Falls and working in research and development for a dairy nutrition company.
  • Christy Zito — Vice Chair Christy Zito reviewed the minutes, found them in order, and moved to approve them; the motion was then attributed to Senator Zito.
  • Rick Waitley — Rick Waitley was introduced to the committee and identified himself as Executive Director Emeritus for Leadership Idaho Agriculture, explaining that Leadership Idaho Agriculture Class 46 would present themselves. A few minutes later, the committee thanked him for presenting the class, keeping the discussion focused on the same introduction and presentation.
  • Dairy Gold Trading Mills — Employer mentioned by an unidentified speaker from Nampa.