Ben Toews — Continued explaining that parking decisions would be left to homeowners and noted that many properties already have multiple parking spots.
Ben Toews — Confirmed that the bill removes any owner-occupancy requirement and leaves decisions to property owners.
Ben Toews — Closed sponsor questions and invited testimony, first from Kelly Packer and then Lance Sayers.
Ben Toews — Referenced as the sponsor of the bill being discussed.
Ben Toews — Referenced as not having known about the handout in advance.
Ben Adams — Asked whether the bill’s language about ADUs would also include tiny houses.
Ben Adams — Asked whether the definition of accessory dwelling units would include tiny homes or only traditional ADUs.
Ben Adams — Asked how parking would be handled if neighborhoods lacked enough off-street spaces.
Ben Adams — Ben Adams introduced House Bill 661 and explained that it mirrors last year’s waste-disposal legislation, which allowed cities to set parameters so small haulers could compete. He said that approach has worked well in cities, and the bill now extends the same competitive language to counties with franchise agreements. Adams added that the counties are supportive and that the current language does not impose new restrictions.
Ben Adams — Asks about the Sunshine Report and the library director's salary.
Ben Adams — Ben Adams moves to send House Bill 715 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, briefly explains his support by describing the taxpayer-funded nature of the position and facility involved, and the motion ultimately carries.
Ben Adams — Senator Ben Adams is involved in a procedural sequence where he seconds a motion, the meeting transitions to approving minutes, and he then moves approval of the February 26 and March 5 minutes. The March 5 minutes approval motion is subsequently carried.
Kelly Packer — Named as the first intended witness, but not present; another witness stepped in.
Lance — Called to testify in place of Kelly Packer.
Lance Sayers — Lance Sayers, Policy Analyst for the Association of Idaho Cities, testified in opposition to the bill and explained that Kelly Packer could not attend because she was testifying on another bill. He argued that local land use and planning decisions should remain local, citing concerns about the bill’s impact on city infrastructure, parking, liability, and internal consistency. He emphasized that cities need more time to work on the proposal and asked that the bill be held in committee, then concluded by inviting questions.
Kelly — Explained to be unavailable because she was testifying on another bill on the House side.
Lisa Anderson — Lisa Anderson of AARP Idaho testified in support of the bill, explaining that Idaho’s rapid population growth and aging population are increasing the need for affordable, flexible housing options, especially in rural areas. She said the bill would help communities and homeowners respond without new mandates, while respecting private property rights and local decision making. In response to questions, she noted she did not know how many Idaho cities currently allow ADUs, but said AARP members have shared stories about wanting adult children or parents to live in additions or ADUs and being unable to move forward with those plans.
Doug Ricks — Doug Ricks is addressed as Mr. Chairman/Chairman Ricks throughout a committee question-and-answer exchange. He opens the question period, is thanked and addressed by participants, and is again acknowledged during the sponsor and committee remarks before the exchange closes with a final thank-you to the chair.
Doug Ricks — The speaker twice addresses Chairman Doug Ricks in a courteous opening, first thanking him by name and later thanking the chairman and committee members as the discussion continues.
Doug Ricks — Chair Doug Ricks is repeatedly recognized and addressed throughout the committee hearing while he manages the proceedings, welcomes the committee and witnesses, and is referenced during exchanges with other members.
Doug Ricks — Doug Ricks is addressed multiple times as chair during the discussion of House Bill 733, including while the bill is being introduced and later during questioning, with speakers thanking or referring to him as Mr. Chair/Chairman Ricks.
Ron Taylor — Ron Taylor is referenced during a continuous exchange in which he appears to be asking questions about ADU regulations, city adoption rates, and whether AARP members have specific experiences or challenges related to building ADUs. The transcript repeatedly misidentifies him as 'Senator Robbie,' but the mentions all belong to the same discussion.
Ron Taylor — Senator Ron Taylor is identified as the questioner and then asks a series of related questions about the bill: what prompted it, whether the proposed changes could create competing oversight or politicize library directors, and what role the library board would have if city council and the mayor take on responsibility.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor is identified as speaking in opposition to the motion.
Ron Taylor — Named as one of the senators who may want to be recorded as voting no.
Ron Taylor — The transcript appears to misrender 'Senator Robbie'; this is likely Senator Ron Taylor? However, the speaker later references Senator Robbie as the questioner. Use caution.
Ron Taylor — The transcript says 'Senator Robbie'; likely a misrendered senator name from the expected list, but uncertain.
Ron Taylor — The transcript again references 'Senator Robbie' as the person who had trouble understanding the bill; this is uncertain and preserved as written.
Ron Taylor — The transcript says 'Senator Taylor' as the second on the March 5 minutes approval motion.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor seconds the motion to approve the March 5 minutes.
Hillary Patterson — Hillary Patterson, speaking virtually as chapter president of APA Idaho, testified that APA Idaho strongly opposes the bill as written. She said the organization supports accessory dwelling units in principle but believes the proposal goes too far, was drafted without their input, and should preserve local control. She raised multiple implementation concerns, including increasing the population threshold to 10,000, limiting the bill to detached single-family homes rather than twin homes, and allowing local jurisdictions to decide design standards, placement, parking, and other infrastructure-related issues. She argued the bill’s preemption is too broad and that communities should retain authority over how ADUs are regulated.
Jonathan Wardle — Jonathan Wardle is introduced as a virtual witness, but the committee initially cannot reach him and makes several attempts to reconnect. He eventually comes on the line, identifies himself as president of Brighton Development and Brighton Homes, and explains his company’s role in HOA management. He supports the bill but asks the committee to clarify that HOAs may still adopt reasonable rules and architectural control standards, stating Brighton would support the bill if that intent is clearly captured. The chair then thanks him and closes his testimony.
Brittany Bones — Brittany Bones is introduced as a virtual witness, confirms her audio connection, and identifies herself as an attorney with F.F. Law and chair of the Idaho Community Association Institute Legislative Action Committee. She then testifies in opposition to Senate Bill 1354, arguing it would significantly increase density in single-family developments, and the chair concludes her appearance by thanking her.
Ken Burgess — Ken Burgess, representing the Idaho Home Builders Association, testifies in support of the legislation. He says lawmakers often ask how to address home prices and points to factors such as mortgage rates, inflation, tariffs, and input costs. He argues the bill can help by loosening regulations to increase housing supply and diversify housing stock, and urges passage.
C. Grow — Asked whether counties had been consulted and whether they were okay with the bill.
C. Grow — Moved to send House Bill 661 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
C. Grow — The chair calls on Senator Grow, who then moves to send House Bill 733 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
Jeff Cornelis — Jeff Cornelis, representing District 12 in Nampa, opens by explaining that the bill would place the library director under both the library board and city council’s purview. He compares the process to hiring a fire chief or police chief, saying the bill simply applies similar oversight parameters to a library board director.
Representative Cornelis — Representative Cornelis explains that the bill arose after cities identified problems with how library directors were hired and fired, and he says the measure adds accountability without fundamentally changing the process. He responds to concerns about dual oversight and politicization by noting that cities he has spoken with support the added layer and that the process will still function much like a search committee. He further clarifies that the library board will continue to lead day-to-day operations and remain involved in hiring recommendations, while city council approval is added. He concludes by saying the board will still spearhead the process and then notes that public testimony will begin.
Heather Stout — Heather Stout is introduced as the first virtual witness, then identifies herself as a retired professional librarian and former assistant library director in Idaho. She goes on to explain the current process for appointing public library board trustees and describes how the bill would change hiring and termination of library directors by requiring approval from a majority of city council members along with the library trustees.
Ms. Dow — The chair thanks Ms. Dow after testimony, indicating this section is her testimony.
Brian Allman / Brian Alman — President of the Eagle Public Library Board of Trustees; testifies neutrally and explains Eagle's situation may have influenced the bill.
Brian Allman / Alman — The chair thanks Brian after his testimony and Q&A.
Izzy Burgess — Represents the Idaho Library Association and testifies in firm opposition to the bill.
Lynn Drew — Lynn Drew is introduced as the next witness and then begins her testimony, identifying herself as a resident of District 26 and the director of the Hailey Public Library. She testifies in opposition to House Bill 715.
Lynn Drewan / Drew — The chair announces the final listed witness and attempts to connect them virtually.
Ms. Drew — The chair thanks the witness after testimony.
Representative Jeff Ehlers — Introduces himself as District 21, Meridian, and begins discussion of House Bill 733.
Ken McClure — Ken McClure, speaking for the Audit Society of CPAs, introduces himself as the drafter of the legislation and begins explaining the bill in plain terms, emphasizing its purpose and how it avoids amended personal returns when possible.
Treg Bernt — The transcript says 'Senator Taves'; likely a mishearing of Senator Treg Bernt? This is uncertain.