Dave Lent — Dave Lent is repeatedly addressed as Mr. Chair/Mr. Chairman during the committee discussion, with multiple overlapping mentions referring to him in his role as the chair.
Dave Lent — The chair is being addressed implicitly as the speaker continues his explanation of the bill.
Jack Nelsen — Representative Jack Nelsen is mentioned during discussion of IDLA and concerns related to large school districts, then directly addressed in response to those concerns, and finally records a 'Yes' vote in the roll call.
Jack Nelsen — Voted no in the roll call.
Michael Veile — Representative Michael Veile stated that eight of his nine school districts are rural and rely on IDLA, which his children also use effectively, so he could not support the proposal. He then voted no in the roll call.
Michael Veile — Representative Veile was recorded as voting no in the roll call, including the continued roll call.
Dale Hawkins — Votes yes in the roll call.
Dale Hawkins — Representative Tanner participates in a back-and-forth on the bill’s meaning and scope, first inviting clarification, then explaining that Idaho school districts do not treat protest walkouts as excused absences, noting that a prior remark was more of a comment than a question, and finally clarifying that the bill is aimed at organized protest activity rather than general political participation.
Dale Hawkins — Nathan Zimmerman addressed the chair as Chairman Hawkins during his response.
Dale Hawkins — The chair closes questions and recognizes the next testifier.
Dale Hawkins — Chairman Hawkins acknowledged that a roll call vote had been properly requested on House Bill 794, cast his yes vote, and then noted that the motion died on a tie. He followed with a brief point of privilege reflecting on the purpose of school and Idaho’s constitutional education directive, emphasizing the importance of education before concluding the meeting segment.
Clay Handy — Votes no in the roll call.
Clay Handy — Representative Clay Handy asked whether the bill would apply to charter schools or private schools that indirectly receive public funds, and that question prompted a further review and re-reading of the legislation.
Clay Handy — Representative Handy reflected on a past student sit-down strike as a positive way to express themselves, then said the bill did not meet the standard and that he would vote against it, requested a roll call vote, and was later recorded voting no.
Ron Mendive — Votes yes in the roll call.
Ron Mendive — Representative Nelson is called on and then raises concerns that the bill could treat student political involvement as protest activity and lead to unexcused absences. He references his own experience with local Republican organizing and sponsoring young Republicans in high school to illustrate that political participation can be legitimate and should not be penalized.
Ron Mendive — Supports the motion, arguing taxpayers expect students to attend school and protest after school if desired.
Ron Mendive — Referenced as the member whose point about taxpayer funding and attendance is being agreed with.
Ron Mendive — Voted yes in the roll call.
Barbara Ehardt — Votes yes in the roll call.
Barbara Ehardt — Urged the committee to vote the proposal forward and said they should hear the legislation.
Barbara Ehardt — Voted yes in the roll call.
Tony Wisniewski — Votes yes in the roll call.
Tony Wisniewski — Voted yes in the roll call.
Dan Garner — Votes no in the roll call.
Dan Garner — Representative Garner questioned how eliminating 100% of state funding for IDLA would differ from a total repeal of IDLA, essentially arguing that defunding it entirely would amount to the same outcome as repealing the program.
Dan Garner — Representative Garner is called on and raises a question about parental rights and excused absences. The discussion continues with a reference to Garner having asked a similar question previously, reinforcing that the exchange centers on the same issue.
Dan Garner — Representative Garner opens a question to the witness and asks whether the school district has a policy limiting excused absences, including whether students are allowed only a certain number before the matter must go before the school board.
Dan Garner — Representative Dan Garner is recognized as the next speaker and states that he will not support the motion, beginning remarks in opposition and referencing a personal student walkout experience as part of his explanation.
Dan Garner — Referenced as having similar memories from school protests or walkouts.
Dan Garner — Voted no in the roll call.
Mark Sauter — Votes yes in the roll call.
Mark Sauter — Said the RS should be worked on in the off-season and that he would not support it.
Mark Sauter — States opposition to the bill on constitutional grounds.
Mark Sauter — Voted no in the roll call.
Kent Marmon — Votes yes in the roll call.
Kent Marmon — Voted yes in the roll call.
Douglas Pickett — Votes yes in the roll call.
Douglas Pickett — Introduces himself and presents RS 33604.
Douglas Pickett — Explains that RS 33604 is intended as a middle-ground approach to IDLA concerns.
Douglas Pickett — Explained that funding should follow the units and should not allow double dipping or additional funding for the same purpose.
Douglas Pickett — Responded that the proposal would function like a full repeal in one sense, but would retain funding for remote and rural areas.
Douglas Pickett — Said the intent is to retain funding for remote and rural areas that have relied on IDLA.
Douglas Pickett — Cautioned against debating the bill's merits during technical questions, then acknowledged the question.
Douglas Pickett — Said urban students help create opportunities for rural kids and that he wants feedback to improve the proposal.
Douglas Pickett — Said the proposal is not a magic wand but a starting point and invited feedback.
Douglas Pickett — Responded that the proposal is intended to avoid punishing rural schools while creating efficiencies and eliminating inappropriate uses.
Douglas Pickett — Said the proposal aims to eliminate inappropriate uses and that fiscal note numbers are still being finalized.
Douglas Pickett — Praised for bringing a more tailored proposal.