Jim Guthrie — The Chair responded to Drew Brown about the hardest part of being a senator, explaining the challenge of helping people solve problems and navigate disagreements and compromise. The Chair then thanked Brown for serving as a page and welcomed him to the second half.
Jim Guthrie — The chair managed the motion and vote on RS 33460.
Jim Guthrie — Presided over the motion and announced the next bill.
Jim Guthrie — The chair called on the next presenter after the motion carried.
Jim Guthrie — The chair handled the vote and moved to the next bill.
Jim Guthrie — The chair asked the sponsor to stand for questions and then recognized a question about term length.
Jim Guthrie — Addressed as Chairman Guthrie by the witness.
Drew Brown — Drew Brown was introduced as a page for the second half of the meeting, then introduced himself as being from Eagle, Idaho and thanked the committee. He described his high school law enforcement class, attendance at Renaissance, and plans to serve a mission before pursuing a career in law enforcement, starting as a deputy and hoping to advance to the FBI or SWAT. The committee acknowledged and praised him, and he concluded by asking Senator Dan Hartog what the hardest part of being a senator is and how he manages it.
Max and Sally Brown — Identified as Drew Brown's parents in the audience.
Callie Younger — The committee considered Callie Younger’s gubernatorial appointment as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Younger introduced herself, described her current role and prior service for Governor Otter, and outlined her work over the past year. She highlighted the office’s efforts on energy policy, including a new nuclear energy task force, a DOE request for information, permitting reform, and coordination with mining companies. She concluded by noting that her family was present in support and that she would stand for questions.
Mark Harris — Asked about a possible merger involving OEMR and another agency.
Mark Harris — Callie Younger responded to Senator Harris's question about the merger.
Mark Harris — Offered supportive comments about the office's work helping the mining industry and the state.
Mark Harris — Made the motion to introduce and send RS 33460 to print and was identified as the senator making the motion.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Kelly Anthon, representing District 27 (Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida counties), introduced RS 33435 and then, shortly afterward, introduced RS 33460 when invited to do so, presenting both measures in sequence as part of the same committee appearance.
Kelly Anthon — Kelly Anthon questioned the witness about the bill and whether it would alter the commissioners' ability to fire the director.
Ben Adams — Moved to introduce RS 33435.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams says he is glad to speak before the vote and argues that Senate confirmation of political appointees serves the public interest by adding an extra layer of vetting. He points to major agencies such as Transportation, Fish and Game, and Parks and Recreation as especially important to the public and notes that, based on his experience with prior confirmations, the governor has generally appointed qualified individuals.
Ben Adams — Ben Adams is identified as the senator who seconded the motion to send the bill to the floor.
James Ruchti — No member is explicitly named in this excerpt, but the discussion continues from Senator Anthon's presentation on irrigation district qualifications.
James Ruchti — Asked whether the Attorney General had reviewed the issue and requested a summary of the question posed to the Attorney General.
James Ruchti — Explains that the Attorney General said the agreement would not create a problem for the bill.
James Ruchti — Responds that there was no method to pursue enforcement and that the agreement likely was not passed down as written.
James Ruchti — States he will vote against the bill and says the issue is really about Fish and Game and Parks and Rec.
James Ruchti — Uses a movie reference to argue against changing agencies that are working well.
James Ruchti — Says Fish and Game is a rough-and-tumble area with passionate stakeholders and that commissioners do a good job.
James Ruchti — Credited with bringing the bill before the committee; likely a transcription error for a member name.
James Ruchti — Recognized as the next speaker; likely a transcription error for a member name.
James Ruchti — Named as the maker of the motion on Senate Bill 1300.
James Ruchti — Recorded as voting no on the motion; likely a transcription error for a member name.
Treg Bernt — The transcript appears to misstate the second as 'Senator Den Harttog'; this likely refers to Senator Bernt or another member, but the text is uncertain.
Treg Bernt — Introduced as the next speaker after the prior opposition remarks.
Treg Bernt — Says he appreciates robust discussion and frames the issue as one of control and change.
Treg Bernt — Introduces himself and presents Senate Bill 1301.
Treg Bernt — Senator Treg Bernt is repeatedly acknowledged during the bill discussion: the chair invites him back for the vote or closing, a witness thanks him for recognizing the bill’s value to industry and local communities, another speaker references information he previously shared about the downtown Meridian project, and additional remarks thank him for bringing and supporting the bill and allowing testimony.
Nick Fasciano — Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, testified in respectful opposition to Senate Bill 1300 and urged the committee to hold the bill. In follow-up questioning, he said he did not know the last time the Fish and Game board fired a director, suggested the bill might not directly change firing authority but commissioners would likely defer to the governor, and explained that the historical system was different, with earlier wildlife leadership structures and shifting management priorities contributing to the 1938 initiative.
Ben Toews — Ben Toews asked about how the position was filled before the 1938 initiative, specifically whether the governor appointed the position and whether Senate confirmation was required.
Rob Thornberry — Rob Thornberry was introduced as a virtual witness and then testified in opposition to Senate Bill 1300. He described Idaho’s hunting and fishing opportunities, praised science-based wildlife management, and argued that SB 1300 was a fix in search of a problem. In response to questions, he said he occasionally hears concerns that people do not feel listened to, but maintained that public involvement has increased significantly and is at an all-time high under the current director.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Brandon Shippy relayed constituent and sportsmen concerns that the commissioners and the director should be elected directly by the people, and he asked whether the witness also hears similar concerns about accountability and representation.
Brandon Shippy — Supports the motion and praises the Senate confirmation process and the governor's appointments.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy first asks to take a witness before proceeding, then moves to send Senate Bill 1301 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. He briefly supports the bill, saying he agrees with the prior testifier and views the measure as a measured step toward business growth. The motion is later referenced again as the committee action on the bill.
Janice Brown — Janice Brown introduced herself and stated that she was testifying personally while serving as treasurer of Friends of Harriman State Park. She then began discussing the 1963 Harriman agreement, explaining that the legislature ratified the agreement between Roland and Avril Harriman and the people of Idaho regarding the gift of the Island Park property.
Ms. Brown — Asked that Parks and Recreation be removed from the bill or that the bill not advance.
Ms. Brown — Referenced as having testified earlier about the Harriman gift deed.
Eric Wieseth / Eric Wysa (questionable) — Next virtual witness; name appears to be Eric Wysa, though the chair mispronounces it as Eric Wieseth.
Eric Wysa — Eric Wysa, executive director of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, introduces himself and states that the association opposes Senate Bill 1300.
Samuel Laird / Samuel Lair (questionable) — Introduced as a new witness; the transcript contains both 'Samuel Laird' and 'Samuel Lair.'
Samuel Lair — States support for hunting and constitutional principles while noting disagreement with Mr. Fasciano.
Mr. Lair — Concludes by urging support for the legislation.
Rick Just — Rick Just, representing the Friends of Idaho State Parks, introduced himself and then testified in opposition to the bill, arguing that it is not worth the potential hundred-million-dollar-plus risk and urging a no vote.