David Leavitt — Closed by emphasizing the bill was not the original DOGE Task Force recommendation and came after discussions with honey stakeholders.
David Leavitt — Said the honey stakeholders likely could not attend because they are caring for bees and described the bill as a compromise after two meetings.
David Leavitt — Explained that an MOU already exists between ISDA and the Honey Commission and that the bill codifies current practice.
David Leavitt — Said the misdemeanor likely dates back to the 2013 'funny honey' battles and noted that active beekeepers were among those consulted.
David Leavitt — Closed by asking for committee support and noting the consulted beekeepers represented the industry.
David Leavitt — Addressed as Representative Ayler in the floor-carry question; likely a transcription error for the member being asked to carry the bill.
David Leavitt — Was called on first for questions after the bill presentation.
David Leavitt — Asked whether the sponsor needed a break and then made the motion to send the bill to the House floor with a do pass recommendation.
David Leavitt — Was asked whether he would carry the bill on the floor.
David Leavitt — Asked whether the bill conflicts with laws regarding raw dairy products.
Dori Healey — Representative Dori Healey questions the bill sponsor about the purpose of the bill, why it includes a $10,000 honey violation fine and whether that penalty is new, how many apiary businesses were consulted, and later seeks clarification on how the bill affects inspection authority, labeling, retail sales, unfinished materials, and container-content provisions.
Dori Healey — Said she would support the motion but expressed concern about expanding enforcement and creating unnecessary legislation.
Dori Healey — The chair noted Healy's light was on but obscured by a water bottle.
Steve Miller — Representative Steve Miller asks questions about the Honey Commission and whether honey growers are satisfied with the bill, including where the commission was previously located.
Steve Miller — Said he was around when One Plan was created and used, and supported removing obsolete software-related language from statute.
Steve Miller — Representative Miller asked how the bill or program would affect Purdy's business, specifically in terms of how many cattle he would handle and how he would market them. The exchange continued with a response addressing how the program would work for Purdy's business operations.
Julie VanOrden — A speaker identified as Representative Vail responds to Miller's question; likely a transcription error for a committee member or witness.
Travis Jones — Travis Jones, executive director of the Idaho Honey Industry Association, introduces himself and explains the association’s role. He then discusses the negotiations and bill language, including the MOU and how the bill codifies existing practice, and concludes by stating that IHIA supports the bill.
Carrie Semmelroth — Asked whether concerns from honey growers had been worked through and began asking about what parts of the rules were moving to ISDA.
Carrie Semmelroth — Asked what happens to the rest of the honey commission rules and whether they stay in statute or move to ISDA.
Carrie Semmelroth — Referenced as returning to the question of the rules.
Carrie Semmelroth — Voiced concern that the bill began as a DOGE bill and that important issues for small growers should not be treated as mere code cleanup.
Carrie Semmelroth — Said the committee should be mindful of real businesses when labeling a bill as code cleanup, then moved House Bill 826 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Carrie Semmelroth — Asked whether the Soil and Water group agreed with removing the language.
Carrie Semmelroth — Asked whether the Soil and Water group agreed with removing the language.
Mr. Jones — Said he was not the best person to answer where the remaining rules would go, and noted Director Tewalt or Deputy Director Lloyd Knight would be better positioned to respond.
Mr. Jones — Explained that the cited section is Title 22, Section 2810, dealing with sampling and analysis.
Mr. Jones — Said he shared the concern and began explaining the industry's view of the adulteration penalties.
Mr. Jones — Explained that the industry worked hard on adulteration penalties and noted ongoing concerns about 'funny honey' entering the market.
Mr. Jones — Referenced as part of the discussions with honey stakeholders.
Representative Seventvili [questionable] — Expanded on the standards issue and introduced Scott Hamilton as a Honey Association member involved in national standards work.
Scott Hamilton — Scott Hamilton of Nampa, associated with a national honey organization, is referenced as part of the honey discussion. He is then cited as noting that the U.S. standards for grading extracted honey are not a perfect sampling system, with efforts toward improvement underway.
Mark Sauter — Asked whether the misdemeanor penalty for honey violations was removed and would not return in another form.
John Shirts — Representative John Shirts questioned whether the misdemeanor penalty had been fully removed and would not return, and his concern was acknowledged. He then continued supporting the Honey Commission and the bill’s penalty change, noting that eliminating the misdemeanor would benefit honey producers and referencing bees on his family farm. Later mentions simply identify him as the next member to be recognized and continue the same exchange before the motion.
Honey folks — Stakeholders in the honey industry who participated in discussions and likely could not attend because of bee season work.
Dave Lent — The transcript repeatedly misidentifies the sponsor as Dave Lent, but the discussion consistently clarifies that the bill is being presented by Representative Jeff Ehlers (District 21, Meridian). Across the sequence, the speaker is referred to as Representative Ehlers/Jeff Ehlers multiple times, and the chair notes that he will be the floor sponsor.
Jack Nelsen — Made the motion to send Senate Bill 1243 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Jack Nelsen — Made the motion to send Senate Bill 1243 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Jack Nelsen — Asked a question about whether catfish are included in the bill's fish products provisions.
Jack Nelsen — Asked why catfish are excluded from the bill's fish products list.
Jack Nelsen — Representative Nelson questioned where the regulatory line should be drawn, expressing concern about exemptions for dairy products and backyard producers. He followed up by asking how to balance encouraging backyard production with food-safety risks such as listeria and the possibility that bad actors could undermine responsible producers. Mr. Lake then responded to Nelson’s philosophical question, referencing Nelson’s earlier line-drawing concern as part of the same discussion.
Anne Haws — Representative Boyle discussed the bill’s provisions and answered questions, explaining that producers may use designated agents, that catfish are treated differently because federal inspectors handle them, and that the bill exempts small producers while larger dairies remain subject to different regulation. She also indicated she was available to continue explaining the bill or answer additional questions.
Shawn Dygert — Moved to send Senate Bill 1283 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Ms. Sheila Millett — Signed up to testify on House Bill 826 but was skipped over.
Nicholas Purdy — Nicholas Purdy testified in support of the legislation, identifying himself as representing Piquipu Livestock and serving as vice chair of Fair Idaho. He explained that his operation is a cow-calf business that does not finish its own beef because it is too costly and burdensome under current regulations, and said the bill would help remove barriers so they could finish cattle locally again. He added that current cattle market conditions are unusually favorable, discussed his family’s experience and the potential to reduce debt, and described plans to continue selling calves through Superior while exploring a grass-fed finishing approach. He concluded by reaffirming his support for the bill and offering to answer questions, after which the chair thanked him for his testimony.
Mr. Purdy / Nicholas Purdy — Explained he would start with a small number of cattle rather than all 800 head.
Dan Ratliff — Dan Ratliff was introduced and then testified that he is a first-generation cattle rancher in Bellevue, Idaho. He explained that after trying to sell beef directly, regulatory requirements and costs made it uneconomical for both him and customers. He said he now operates 400 mother cows and produces 40 to 50 direct-consumer beef animals per year, and he believes the bill could help reduce barriers for first-generation ranchers.
Mr. Ratliff / Dan Ratliff — The chair thanks Dan Ratliff for his testimony and asks for questions.
Holly Condi — Holly Condi is introduced as the next testifier and then begins her testimony, identifying herself as the policy chair for Fair Idaho and speaking on behalf of the organization in support of consumer access to local food.
Ms. Condi / Holly Condi — Condi concludes by asking for a yes vote and offering to answer questions.