Carrie Semmelroth — Makes the motion to send House Bill 825 to the 14th order for possible amendments.
Carrie Semmelroth — Named as the mover of the motion.
Carrie Semmelroth — Likely the senator making the motion to reconsider House Bill 629.
Carrie Semmelroth — Called on after the chair asked whether there were more questions.
Carrie Semmelroth — Raised a separate idea about using a barcode or code on the phone to avoid the paper-copy issue.
Bill Gardner — Identifies himself as the Director of the Idaho State Police and begins testimony on trooper pay.
Doug Okuniewicz — The witness addresses the chair and committee.
Doug Okuniewicz — As chair, thanked Mr. Lovell and moved the committee toward wrap-up.
Doug Okuniewicz — Likely a mis-transcription of the chair's name; addressed by Representative Palmer in response to the barcode question.
Mr. Cameron — Referenced as being present and later discussing striking language from a bill as part of cleanup efforts.
ISP — Idaho State Police funding sources were described, including the general fund and the $3 registration fee.
Colonel Gardner — Colonel Gardner responds to Senator Hart’s questions by explaining that the program name refers to a career ladder and incentive pay structure, and that the ‘choice’ involves optional extra duties that earn incentive pay. He then discusses academy class composition, noting that classes include a mix of ages such as military retirees and younger recruits, and concludes by describing recruitment and retention difficulties, including limited offers and recruits leaving for better-paying agencies. The chair then thanks him and closes the exchange.
Jason Horst — Jason Horst was called to testify on Senate Bill 1379, identified himself as chairman of the Idaho State Police Association, and spoke in support of the bill. He described how staffing shortages affect troopers’ ability to respond to crashes, remove impaired drivers, and address dangerous driving. After his testimony, he answered a question confirming that he is also a trooper.
Leslie Lehman — Leslie Lehman of the Fraternal Order of Police, North Idaho Troopers Lodge 512, testified in support of Senate Bill 1379 and described the staffing shortages affecting her department. She explained that unfilled positions and the loss of experienced officers are especially harmful because seasoned corporals and field training officers are essential for setting an example and supporting new troopers. She also said the shortages create added strain on troopers and their families by making schedules unpredictable and increasing the burden of service.
Blake Higley — Blake Higley was introduced and then testified as the Idaho State Police Association chapter president for District 6 in support of Senate Bill 1379. He described District 6’s broad coverage area across eastern Idaho, including major highways in 10 counties, and explained that staffing shortages create heavy workloads, overtime, and burnout. He also said recruitment is difficult because candidates see Idaho State Police pay as too low compared with other opportunities, noting that several top candidates chose not to pursue ISP careers. He then concluded his testimony.
Ryan Lovell — Introduced as the next virtual witness.
Brian Lovell — Brian Lovell, representing the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police, introduced himself and began virtual testimony on behalf of the organization, noting that it has over 2,800 law enforcement members across city, county, state, and federal agencies in Idaho and that he was testifying in support of the bill as a public safety and pro-police measure.
Joshua Kohl — Spoke in support of the sponsor's presentation but raised concerns in the following sections.
Joshua Kohl — Joshua Kohl is referenced in connection with Senator Cole’s motion to send House Bill 664 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and then speaks in discussion on that motion in support of the bill, citing Highway 84 traffic concerns.
Joshua Kohl — Senator Cole was introduced as the next speaker and then spoke in support of the motion, thanking the sponsor for the amendments and indicating they improved the legislation by clarifying that a physical copy is still required. The discussion then moved to the committee’s vote on the motion.
Doug Pickett — Introduced himself as the representative for District 27 and presented House Bill 664.
Braden Jensen — Braden Jensen identified himself for the record and testified on behalf of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation in support of House Bill 664. He explained that Farm Bureau members believe a more unified traffic speed addresses the concerns raised earlier and concluded by asking for support to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Alison Rabe — Likely the senator speaking in opposition to the motion, though the transcript says 'Senator Robbie.'
Alison Rabe — Senator Robbie questioned the practical implications of the bill’s registration-copy requirement, asking whether a printed copy must be kept in the car or if a phone would suffice, what happens if someone fails to print it, whether that would create an additional penalty, and expressing concern that people could receive tickets if they do not follow the printing instructions. He also compared it to receiving a paper registration in the mail and not placing it in the glove box, and asked about implementation details, costs, and whether the proposal would require a fiscal note.
Colby Cameron — Colby Cameron is introduced as the next presenter on House Bill 716, then identifies himself as the governmental affairs manager for the Idaho Transportation Department and notes that this is the second executive agency bill heard by the committee.
Representative Jeff Ailers — Introduces House Bill 825 and identifies himself as District 21, Meridian.
Representative Palmer — Representative Palmer explained the proposed amendment to House Bill 629, saying its purpose was to preserve the bill’s cost savings while addressing law enforcement concerns about needing a paper registration copy in the vehicle. He clarified that the system would still require a printed copy, but ITD would allow either a mailed paper copy or a downloadable version that could be printed. He also said noncompliance would be handled under the existing law, including fix-it tickets or citations. In response to a separate question, he noted that ITD already uses a QR code on re-registration notices and that the proposed code could be scanned by law enforcement at the vehicle, avoiding the need to take the driver’s phone back to the patrol car. He confirmed ITD said the system would work that way and reiterated that the printed copy requirement would remain.
Codi Galloway — Is called on regarding the February 26th minutes.
Codi Galloway — Makes the motion to approve the February 26, 2026 minutes.
Codi Galloway — Referenced as having introduced the issue of trooper pay.
Codi Galloway — Referenced as having previously explained the funding history.
Codi Galloway — Likely mis-transcribed as 'Senator Galli'; referenced while discussing the motion.
Josh Keyser — Senator Keyser seconded motions to approve the February 26, 2026 minutes and the March 3, 2026 minutes.
Josh Keyser — Josh Keyser is addressed briefly as the next speaker/chair during the transition to the bill, then presents House Bill 742 and explains that it modernizes Idaho's vehicle titling system.
Josh Keyser — Senator Keyser moves House Bill 716 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion is then acknowledged as having been made.
Josh Keyser — Senator Keyser was associated with the motion to move House Bill 629 to the 14th order of business, and the discussion continued with him explaining his understanding of the bill as another ITD-issued registration form that can be viewed electronically and scanned by officers.
Van Burtenshaw — Not present at the moment, but expected to arrive.
Van Burtenshaw — Seconded the motion to approve the March 5, 2026 minutes.
Van Burtenshaw — Made the motion to send Senate Bill 1379 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw is identified in the discussion, then noted as the senator who seconded the motion, and later named as the senator who will carry the bill on the floor.
Phil Hart — Likely the intended reference in the transcript is Senator Cole; the name is uncertain and not in the expected member list.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart was invited to ask questions after the witness testimony.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asked how the Project Choice Fee got its name and whether it was ever optional.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asked about the age range of the academy class and whether generational priorities may explain the smaller class size.
Phil Hart — Referenced in the next section as having asked questions that prompted the sponsor's closing remarks.
Phil Hart — Referenced for asking questions that led to discussion of the 'Lifeline' acronym and trooper recruitment.
Phil Hart — Moved the committee toward a motion on House Bill 742.
Phil Hart — Made the motion on House Bill 742.
Phil Hart — Referenced as 'Senator' in the question about prior consideration of the issue.
Phil Hart — Representative Pickett is referenced as the sponsor in the testimony; the transcript does not directly mention a committee member here.