Jeff Ehlers — Representative Jeff Ehlers is first on the agenda, but he is not yet present because he is presenting in another committee.
Jeff Ehlers — Jeff Ehlers introduced RS 33471 and explained that it would phase out general state funding for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs over time, while allowing the commission to continue through private fundraising and donations. In response to questions, he clarified that the commission was intended to be self-funded rather than taxpayer-funded, that taxpayers could still contribute voluntarily, and that the bill differed from earlier legislation that would have eliminated the commission entirely. He also referenced the DOGE Task Force’s view that the commission could sustain itself without state support. The discussion concluded with the chair noting no further questions and returning to the sponsor/motion.
Charlie Shepherd — Charlie Shepherd is called to the podium to present RS 33580, introduces himself as the sponsor and representative for District 7, and is then thanked as the committee opens questions and asks him to join the desk.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Shepard asked whether the proposal sunsets and how the exemption would go away if the agreement is not met. The follow-up continued addressing the second part of his question, specifically the annual review and how the exemption would be handled if the agreement fails.
Charlie Shepherd — Charlie Shepherd defended the DOGE committee and JFAC, saying they were given a difficult job and should not be blamed or accused of bad motives for the budget-balancing decisions they had to make. A follow-up remark referenced Shepherd’s comments on DOGE, keeping the discussion on the same topic.
David Cannon — David Cannon is addressed twice as Chairman Cannon in a brief opening exchange, with speakers greeting him and the committee and expressing that it is good to be with them this morning.
David Cannon — Clarified that the witness meant rents, not taxes, and then recognized another question from Representative Barbieri.
David Cannon — During a continuous committee exchange, the chair (David Cannon) is repeatedly addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' and 'Chair Cannon' while granting and responding to a follow-up question. The mentions all reflect the same back-and-forth discussion with the chair and do not indicate a separate topic or event.
Jason Monks — Representative Jason Monks is recognized and then immediately states that he has no question, only a motion, moving to introduce RS 33580.
Jason Monks — Requested to be recorded as voting nay.
Jason Monks — Moved to introduce RS 33471.
Jason Monks — Moved to introduce RS 33471.
Jason Monks — Jason Monks first raised a point of order, objecting to remarks he felt improperly assigned motives to the sponsor. He then continued by saying he found it offensive that the committee did not want to hear from the Hispanic Commission or even debate the issue, and said he supported moving forward with introducing the legislation.
Jon Weber — Jon Weber is identified as the sponsor of HB 760, then introduces the bill as legislation concerning property tax exemption for qualified workforce and affordable housing in Idaho. The discussion later refers back to Weber’s involvement in developing the bill with counties and cities.
Jon Weber — Jon Weber was mentioned twice in a short span: first, he was thanked for his steadfast support of Idaho's workforce, and later the chair made a brief procedural reference to Vice Chair Weber before proceeding with the vote.
Jason Kreisenbeck — Jason Kreisenbeck is yielded time and then introduces himself as a contract lobbyist in Boise with Lobby Idaho, representing Dominium.
Austin Vanderhaden — Named as the expert from Dominium who will address specifics of the bill.
Austin Vanderhaden — Introduces himself with Dominium and describes the company's housing portfolio and national footprint.
Austin Vanderhaden — Explained that the bill would improve the existing nonprofit workforce housing exemption and allow Idaho-based nonprofit and for-profit partnerships.
Austin Vanderhaden — Explained why the bill allows for-profit and nonprofit partnerships, emphasizing capital access and larger project scale for for-profit developers.
Austin Vanderhaden — Concluded his presentation by emphasizing local control and inviting questions.
Austin Vanderhaden — Explained that the nonprofit is the general partner and that profit sharing is deal-dependent.
Austin Vanderhaden — Responded that rents cannot exceed 60% AMI or the exemption is lost.
Austin Vanderhaden — Explained that HUD and LIHTC rules set rents and that exceeding 60% AMI would jeopardize tax credits and the deal.
Austin Vanderhaden — Responded that the directive does not affect the bill because most projects are apartments or townhomes, not existing homes.
Austin Vanderhaden — Explained that most projects are new construction or acquisition-rehab and noted federal support for LIHTC and affordable housing investment.
Austin Vanderhaden — Was asked about Dominium's scale and nonprofit partnership patterns.
Oster Vanderhaden? — Possible mishearing of Austin Vanderhaden's name; uncertain transcription.
Vito Barbieri — Representative Vito Barbieri questioned the proposed nonprofit and for-profit housing arrangement, asking how the relationship would work and how profits would be divided. He then expressed concern that a for-profit partner might offset the nonprofit exemption by raising rents, and followed up by asking how the bill relates to President Trump’s comments that corporations should not own homes and that homes should be owned by individuals.
Vito Barbieri — Representative Barbieri questioned the witness about their role in real estate, first asking whether they were both a developer and a property manager, and then following up on whether the company also develops non-affordable housing units and whether exemptions benefit other projects.
Richard Cheatum — Representative Cheatham is recognized and asks follow-up questions about whether the developer has a pattern or trend in the types of nonprofits it partners with. The discussion stays focused on the company’s nonprofit partnership approach and related project context, including a reference to the company’s broader footprint.
Britt Raybould — Representative Raybould asked to continue addressing the second part of Representative Shepard's question and then raised follow-up questions about affordable housing projects, including how they affect the tax burden, tax shifts, housing availability, and broader community impacts.
Britt Raybould — Representative Britt Raybould first moved to send House Bill 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, then followed up with clarifying questions about a page-two strikeout of $80,000 and whether the commission would still support substance abuse prevention and education efforts despite the funding change.
Britt Raybould — The chair appears to be calling on Representative Birch after Gannon's remarks; the transcript says 'Representative Birch' at the end, likely a speaker transition.
Britt Raybould — The chair called on Representative Birch, but the transcript likely mislabels the speaker; the remarks support the substitute motion and criticize the proposal's fiscal impact.
Britt Raybould — The speaker criticized the proposal for making it harder for private citizens to contribute to the Hispanic Commission and called it deliberate and unnecessary.
Britt Raybould — The chair appears to close the speaker's remarks and call on Representative Birch again.
Britt Raybould — Was accused by Monks of questioning the sponsor's motives.
Britt Raybould — Said it is worthwhile to have a public hearing, but indicated support for moving forward on the matter.
John Gannon — John Gannon argued that the proposal to eliminate the Hispanic Commission had already been thoroughly considered earlier in the session, including in DOGE and a January State Affairs hearing, where a 7-7 vote rejected repeal. The sequence concludes with Gannon being recorded as voting nay on the motion to introduce RS 33471.
Bobby Joe Muleman — Testified on behalf of the Boise Metro Chamber in strong support of House Bill 760, emphasizing housing as an economic issue for Treasure Valley businesses.
Max Pond — Max Pond, Government Affairs Director for the Idaho Realtors, introduced himself and testified in strong support of House Bill 760 on behalf of his organization, describing it as a modernized housing solution.
Ms. Muleman — Referenced as having already covered related testimony.
Alex Labo — Called to testify next.
Alex Lebo — Testified on behalf of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry in strong support of House Bill 760.
Mr. Lebo — The chair thanks the witness after testimony.
Mr. Vander Hayden — Was signed up to testify and had already joined the initial presentation.
Mr. Kreisenbeck — Was signed up to testify.
Cornel Rasor — Also requested to be recorded as voting nay.
Steve Berch — Representative Steve Berch questioned the bill’s treatment of the charitable contribution tax credit list, focusing on why the Commission on Hispanic Affairs was being removed. He noted that the credit list represents choices taxpayers can make and argued that eliminating the option still restricts voluntary support for the commission.