Jim Guthrie — Moved to approve the February 18, 2026 minutes and referenced reading them in order.
Jim Guthrie — The speaker refers to the City of Lewiston, the mill, and LOID facing expenses; no direct member speech is identified here.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Jim Guthrie is briefly referenced in a lighthearted remark, then thanked by the chair and recognized to speak. He proceeds to ask a question about an agreement reached in northern Idaho and a related piece of legislation.
Mr. Schiff — Mr. Schiff’s testimony was acknowledged and summarized as supporting the resolution while expressing concern about how egregiously the government can use its power to threaten people. He was also thanked for appearing with the Sacketts and for his testimony on the memorial.
Kevin Cook — Made the motion to send House Joint Memorial 13 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Asked for perspective on how remotely viewing traps affects retrieval timing.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook noted that Mr. Arrington would be delayed because he was still presenting at the House, and then Senator Cole was asked whether he had any comment before the next presentation.
Mark Harris — Seconded the motion on House Joint Memorial 13.
Mark Harris — Thanked for encouraging the improvement of using cameras.
Mark Harris — Was thanked for encouraging the improvement to the bill.
Mark Harris — The chair invites Representative Shepard to give closing remarks.
Mark Harris — Defends the bill and answers a question about wolf population estimates.
Mark Harris — The chair asks for questions for Representative Shepard before moving to a motion.
Mark Harris — Indicates readiness for a motion.
Mark Harris — The transcript appears to mishear Senator O'Connor/O'Connowitz as 'Conowitz'; he is identified as the second on the motion.
Mark Harris — Addressed directly in a joking exchange after the motion.
Mark Harris — Thanked after the motion passes.
Mark Harris — Asked about the age of the log-floating code and commented on historical township frameworks.
Mark Harris — Seconded the motion on the February 18, 2026 minutes and earlier on the February 16 minutes.
Charlie Shepard — Introduced himself as representing District 7 and presented House Bill 678.
Dexton Lake — Testified in support of House Bill 678 on behalf of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.
Nick Fasciano — Nick Fasciano was called to testify on House Bill 678 and then identified himself as the executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, testifying in support of the bill.
Mr. Fasciano — Was asked to respond to a question about trap-check timing.
Mr. Vasion — Answered Senator Cole's question about how remote cameras would affect trap retrieval timing.
Alec Watt — Called to testify next, though the transcript later identifies the speaker as Alex Watt.
Alex Watt — Testified for the Idaho Conservation League and asked that the bill be sent to the amending order.
Ron Taylor — His earlier point is referenced regarding the unanswered question about how long an animal may remain trapped.
Ron Taylor — Expresses concern that the bill may need a tighter time frame for trap retrieval and suggests 24 hours after a notification.
Ron Taylor — Referenced as sharing similar concerns about the bill.
Ron Taylor — Introduces herself as State Senator for District 17 for House Bill 566.
Ron Taylor — Introduced House Bill 566 and explained it came from DOGE Task Force work and prior code cleanup efforts.
Ron Taylor — Answered a question about the bill and confirmed the fund had no money put into it.
Ron Taylor — Moved to accept the February 23, 2026 minutes.
Mr. Watt / Alex Watt — The chair thanks Mr. Watt for testifying and invites the next witness.
Ellery Tucker Williams — Ellery Tucker Williams, the legislative and community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, identifies herself and testifies on behalf of the department and the Fish and Game Commission in support of the bill.
Ben Brock — Begins testimony after being invited to the podium.
Ben Broxham — Speaks on behalf of Idaho Sportsman Access and Opportunity and the Idaho Trappers Association in support of the bill.
Pachi Larcilla Phillips — Speaks on behalf of the Idaho Wool Growers Association and Idaho Cattle Association in support of the bill.
Julie VanOrden — Made the motion to send House Bill 774 to the floor.
Paul Arrington — Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association introduces himself, thanks the committee for its patience, briefly explains the delay in starting due to a lack of quorum on the House side, and then frames his remarks around water-management challenges in Idaho, especially in Southern and North Idaho.
Brandon Rose — Brandon Rose of the Hayden Lake Irrigation District is introduced and then presents on the district’s water infrastructure improvements, including a new 2 million-gallon reservoir and related storage upgrades. He thanks the committee and the Idaho Water Resource Board for their State Revolving Fund and cost-sharing grant support, then concludes by turning the discussion over to Barney Metz.
Barney Metz — Barney Metz is introduced as a presenter from the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District and president of the Idaho Water Users Association, then handed the floor. He then introduces himself as the general manager of the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District and confirms that he serves as president of the Idaho Water Users Association.
Ron Wilson — Named as a presenter from East Green Acres Irrigation District.
Ron Wilson — Ron Wilson, representing the East Green Acres Irrigation District, is introduced and then speaks to the committee about his district and related water issues. He provides his contact information, thanks the committee for the opportunity to testify, and responds to questions by confirming the aquifer is in good shape and clarifying that the Spokane River drying occurred in Washington, a few miles away.
Doug Okuniewicz — Senator Doug Okuniewicz (mis-transcribed as Conowitz/Conowitz) is addressed during a continuous exchange in which he asks a question for Mr. Wilson and then remains part of the ensuing discussion, including comments about the aquifer and Spokane River.
presenter — The committee/chair asks if there are any final questions for the presenter before concluding that portion of the meeting and moving on.
Van Burtenshaw — The meeting opens with an explanation that the chairman and vice chairman are absent due to other obligations, and the exchange continues with brief direct addresses to the chair as 'Mr. Chairman.'
Van Burtenshaw — The chair is referenced in discussion about rescheduling the presentation.
Van Burtenshaw — As chair, asks for questions for Mr. Rose and then invites the next presenter to introduce himself.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw, acting as chair, is addressed at the close of testimony, acknowledges the witness and the committee’s time constraints, thanks Mr. Wilson for appearing before the committee, and later offers additional thanks to the presenter while acknowledging Senator Guthrie.