Steve Tanner — Steve Tanner introduced himself and identified his representation of District 13, C.B., and Nampa as he began presenting testimony in support of House Bill 872.
Heather Scott — Moved to send House Bill 872 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Heather Scott — Raised concern that printing on the same page could split constitutional amendment information and confuse voters.
Heather Scott — Asked whether the bill was only about saving paper and whether support existed from election officials.
Heather Scott — Explained her opposition, citing concern about voter confusion and ballot readability.
Heather Scott — Asked whether the discussion was still limited to discussion on the motion.
Heather Scott — Presented RS 33175 and explained it is intended to go to second reading.
Jennifer Locke — Was signed up to testify remotely on House Bill 872.
Clerk Jennifer Locke from Kootenai County — Was cited as having called about the bill and wanting it passed this year.
Monica Church — Suggested a possible amendment to address the risk of constitutional amendment text being split across pages.
Monica Church — Moves to hold RS 33618 at the call of the chair because she and another representative need to be in Ways and Means soon.
James Ruchti — Raised concern that splitting a constitutional amendment across pages could confuse voters and suggested an amendment to address it.
James Ruchti — Referenced again in Tanner's comment about the 'law firm of Haas and Church.'
James Ruchti — Included in Tanner's joking reference to the 'law firm of Haas and Church.'
James Ruchti — Moved to introduce RS 33694.
James Ruchti — Mentioned as having had one of the athletes as a student, which could be relevant to a hearing.
James Ruchti — Mentioned as having had one of the athletes as a student, which could be highlighted in a hearing.
Kelly Anthon — Representative Haas questioned whether the bill would limit the Secretary of State’s discretion to review ballots and suggest changes if ballot formatting or page breaks could confuse voters. After hearing responses, she noted that the Secretary of State would still retain that discretion and said she was persuaded back to supporting the motion, ending by indicating a yes vote.
Kelly Anthon — Thanked staff for assembling the bill materials and commented on the effort involved.
Kelly Anthon — Moved to print RS 33699 and send it to the floor for second reading.
Kelly Anthon — Explained support for the motion while raising a general concern about manipulation of photos and videos taken on personal devices.
Joe Alfieri — Representative Alfieri commented on the ballot layout from a graphic design perspective, noting that research can support either longer continuous text or separated chunks/pages and that neither approach is inherently superior. He concluded that, from a cost-saving standpoint, it was reasonable to proceed with the proposal as written.
Joe Alfieri — Representative Alfieri was noted as having requested a change to the RS, and that change was incorporated.
Mark Harris — Representative Scott argued that requiring a second ballot page would be unnecessary and burdensome in rural areas where ballots may contain only one question, creating extra work for clerks. The discussion then shifted to Representative Harris introducing RS 33224, explaining that it was requested by one of the counties he represents and is intended to address staffing difficulties in smaller counties by setting the number of county commissioner appointees based on county population: one appointee for counties under 50,000, two for counties between 50,000 and 100,000, and three for counties over 100,000.
Jim Guthrie — Committed to speaking with the Secretary of State before the floor vote to ensure ballot-review oversight remains intact.
Judy Boyle — Representative Ehart introduced RS-33-694, a resolution to honor Idaho Olympic athletes, and expressed support for a hearing so the committee could hear more personal testimony and context. The discussion centered on whether to move forward with the resolution or allow a full hearing, with Ehart indicating that a hearing would better allow the athletes’ stories and connections to be shared, though the honor could also be addressed on the floor.
Brandon Shippy — Made a substitute motion to introduce RS 33694 and send it directly to the second reading calendar.
Brandon Shippy — Offered to withdraw his substitute motion in favor of allowing a hearing, citing time constraints.
Brandon Shippy — His motion is withdrawn by unanimous consent.
Brandon Shippy — Made a substitute motion to introduce RS 33694 and send it directly to the second reading calendar.
Brandon Shippy — Said he would remove his motion if the committee wanted a hearing, noting the session timeline.
Brandon Shippy — Offered to withdraw his motion and emphasized the limited time available in the session.
Brandon Shippy — His motion is withdrawn by unanimous consent.
Brandon Shippy — Said he would remove his motion and noted the committee has about three weeks left in the session.
Brandon Shippy — Was welcomed to House State Affairs and prepared to present RS 33699.
Brandon Shippy — Responded that mental health commitment proceedings would be covered and noted court restrictions on photography/video.
Brandon Shippy — Speaker responds to Representative House and notes city and county levels are adding more video documentation.
Brandon Shippy — Addressed in response; the speaker says House's point was well taken.
Brandon Shippy — Affirms that people cannot disrupt the meeting and can be asked to leave.
Brandon Shippy — Makes a substitute motion to introduce RS 33699, then clarifies the committee should have a fuller hearing.
Bruce Skaug — Moved to introduce RS 33224.
Bruce Skaug — Representative Skog asked whether the bill covers mental health commitment proceedings in courtrooms and followed up with a related question on the same issue.
Lori Hartog — Recognized to present RS 33175.
Mike Pohanka — Was said to have read every word of the bill.
Shawn Dygert — Raises a question about whether governing bodies can remove people who obstruct views or enter restricted areas.