Phil Hart — Representative Palmer is invited to present the bill.
Phil Hart — Joe Palmer introduces himself as being from District 20 and Meridian and presents House Bill 629.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asks whether a phone-based registration could create situations where the registration is not available.
Phil Hart — Palmer is addressed in response to the question.
Phil Hart — Palmer explains that a paper copy can still be kept in the vehicle and apologizes for misidentifying Hart's title.
Phil Hart — Palmer continues addressing Hart while clarifying the electronic-registration option.
Phil Hart — Senator Cole asks whether a driver would be liable if they cannot access an electronic copy of the registration.
Phil Hart — Senator Cole is reassured that the bill does not eliminate the requirement to have registration available.
Phil Hart — Senator Cole asks whether officers typically take the registration back to the squad car during traffic stops.
Phil Hart — Senator Cole asks whether officers would take phones back to the squad car under the bill.
Phil Hart — The chair thanked the witness and moved to see if anyone else wished to testify.
Phil Hart — Representative Palmer referenced the computer not working and compared it to other systems.
Phil Hart — Asked about the bill's practical effect when computer systems are unavailable.
Phil Hart — Referenced a prior driver's license bill and the Sheriff's Association's support for it.
Phil Hart — The speaker reiterated that electronic registration is optional, not mandatory.
Phil Hart — Representative Palmer was thanked for clarifying the bill.
Phil Hart — Representative Palmer responded that he did not know why the earlier rule differed and said ITD helped develop the change.
Phil Hart — Representative Palmer said the state would continue sending registrations and that people could print them if needed.
Phil Hart — Representative Palmer explained that the current registration card includes a QR code and that the bill does not change notification.
Phil Hart — Questioned whether the bill text actually changes the law to allow registration and noted a missing new action.
Phil Hart — Representative Palmer was asked to explain the bill language.
Phil Hart — Announced opposition, saying people may not realize they would have to hand over their phones during stops.
Phil Hart — Argued that people may not realize they would need to surrender their phones and that officers may be uncomfortable handling them.
Phil Hart — Said the bill would create problems, argued registration should stay with the vehicle, and distinguished it from insurance.
Phil Hart — Concluded his opposition by saying technology is not always better and announcing a no vote.
Phil Hart — His concern about officers taking a phone was echoed.
Deputy Zach Hessing — Deputy Zach Hessing is called to testify next.
Deputy Zach Hessing / Zach Hesing — Zach Hesing identifies himself as Chief Deputy for the 80 County Sheriff's Office and testifies for that office and the Idaho Sheriff Association.
Deputy Zach Hessing / Zach Hesing — The witness explains current traffic-stop procedure and says officers bring the paper registration back to the car.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams is recognized and prepares to ask a question about page 6 and commercial vehicles.
Ben Adams — Senator Adams asks about existing exemptions for commercial vehicles and how electronic registration works for them.
Ben Adams — Asked how electronic registration works for commercial vehicles and whether it has been used successfully.
Ben Adams — His question about commercial trucks concluded the witness exchange.
Ben Adams — A senator asked why the rule differed for other vehicles in the first place.
Ben Adams — Seconded the motion to send House Bill 629 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Ben Adams — Said he would support the motion despite skepticism of electronic systems.
Deputy Zach Hesing — Said he could not answer definitively about commercial trucks, but noted that school buses and some other vehicles still carry registration information.
Doug Okuniewicz — Doug Okuniewicz, acting as chair, managed the hearing procedurally by asking whether anyone else in the audience wanted to testify, clarifying that testimony did not need to be electronic, addressing questions about registration notifications and expiration reminders, and then handling the motion and ongoing discussion on the bill.
Joshua Kohl — Joshua Kohl moved to send House Bill 629 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then explained his support for the bill, saying it would give drivers an additional secondary option while still requiring proof of registration and not creating unnecessary risk to officer safety.
Carrie Semmelroth — Carrie Semmelroth echoed Senator Hart’s concern about the possibility of an officer taking a phone, and said that for that reason she would support the motion. She also noted the sponsor’s long experience dealing with these issues.