Jaron Crane — Jaron Crane is addressed and then called on after testimony, after which he moves to send Senate Bill 1272 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Brooke Green — Introduces House Bill 508 and explains it is a follow-up to prior legislation.
Brooke Green — Responds to Representative Harris's question about federal funds and projects.
Brooke Green — She is asked to return to her seat after presenting House Bill 508.
Brooke Green — Begins presenting House Bill 880 and identifies herself as District 18 from Southeast Boise.
Brooke Green — Explained that motorbikes sold as e-bikes will need to be licensed and registered if ridden on roads.
Brooke Green — Confirmed that Class 4 e-bikes ridden on the roadway must be licensed and registered.
Brooke Green — Answered that the rules would still apply and that riders without a driver's license could not ride the motorbikes on streets.
Brooke Green — Confirmed that registered and licensed vehicles could potentially be ridden on state highways.
Brooke Green — Said the maximum speed varies and one example can reach 50 miles per hour in ideal conditions.
Brooke Green — Was invited to explain where bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and one-wheel devices may be ridden.
Brooke Green — Explained that bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and one-wheel devices can currently be ridden in many places, but new technology like e-scooters has increased conflicts and injuries.
Brooke Green — Said law enforcement reports parents are buying e-moto bikes for children that exceed 25 to 30 mph and explained the need for local control on shared-use pathways and trails.
Brooke Green — Continued explaining the safety concerns and the goal of giving local communities an avenue to manage shared-use pathways and trails.
Brooke Green — Explained that the committee needs to classify the new technology before communities can impose limits, and described the bikes as essentially electric motorcycles.
Brooke Green — Continued explaining that parents may assume the bikes are safe because they are advertised as e-bikes, even though they can travel much faster.
Brooke Green — Answered that e-bikes can be ridden on public streets.
Brooke Green — Explained that other states are dealing with the same issue and said she would send the bill to general orders with modifications.
Brooke Green — Said she would re-evaluate the 750-watt threshold because it may capture some e-bikes.
Brooke Green — Explained that 750 watts can help e-bikes climb hills faster and said the target is disruptive moto bikes.
Brooke Green — Clarified that the proposal encompasses a version of an e-bike and noted other states have considered driver's ed and education requirements.
Brooke Green — Said the goal is to define the category so local communities can respond appropriately.
Brooke Green — Said the proposal is not intended to limit recreational users and that the language will be cleaned up to avoid unintended impacts.
Kyle Harris — Asks whether the state can already issue federal funds to projects like this.
Mike Pohanka — Representative Mike Pohanka is identified and then moves to send House Bill 508 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Mike Pohanka — Mike Pohanka discussed concerns about e-bikes taking over Twin’s walking paths, describing unsafe behavior and the impact on pedestrians. He noted that he and his wife have experienced the problem firsthand and said he had spoken with the Twin city council about it, emphasizing the need to address the issue.
Charlie Shepherd — Asked whether bicycles will 'help pay their way' and followed up on the licensing issue.
Charlie Shepherd — Made the motion to send House Bill 880 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Charlie Shepherd — Asked whether the bikes would be legal to drive on state highways if the bill passes.
Charlie Shepherd — Followed up by asking about the maximum speed of the vehicles.
Charlie Shepherd — Was asked if he had another question.
Charlie Shepherd — Was asked if he had a comment.
Charlie Shepherd — Suggested that if these vehicles are legal on state highways, they should have restrictions similar to ATVs on interstates.
Michael Veile — Representative Michael Veile asked a series of related follow-up questions about the bill’s rider requirements, including whether licensing is required, whether riders would need a driver’s license or other license, and what age limits or parental approval rules would apply to riding the motorbikes.
James Holtzclaw — Representative Holtzclaw questioned whether bicycles over 750 watts, including models sold at Costco, would require a driver's license or other regulatory requirements. He continued probing whether the 750-watt threshold would determine classification, noting that appearance versus wattage might control how the vehicles are treated. He added that 750 watts is not much power and that Costco sells bicycles that look like bicycles rather than motorcycles.
James Holtzclaw — Representative Holtzclaw is thanked for raising the 750-watt electric-bike issue, is invited to add more comments, and then explains that he does not want to restrict older residents who use electric bikes recreationally, while still recognizing safety concerns for children. He is then addressed again in agreement by another speaker.
John Gannon — John Gannon followed up on a discussion about where e-bikes and similar vehicles can be ridden and asked whether the draft proposal includes e-bikes. He then commented that e-bikes can be hazardous when ridden by kids who do not respect traffic rules, and reiterated concern that the proposal may not include e-bikes.
James Petzke — James Petzke was called on after Representative Pohanka’s comments and agreed with the concerns about children riding pedal-less electric bikes that resemble dirt bikes. He added a personal observation about seeing children riding unsafely at night in neighborhood streets and said the bill needs changes to address the problem. Later, another speaker referenced Petzke’s similar comments about kids on motorcycle-type bikes.
Joe Palmer — As chair, called for the vote and announced that the motion carried.
Brandon Mitchell — Not directly speaking in this section, but the chair's procedural action occurred in committee context.
Brooke Green — Explained that riders without a driver's license cannot ride the motorbikes on streets and referenced law enforcement feedback.
Brooke Green — Presented the advertisement as an example to support the bill's classification of Class 4 e-bikes.
Brooke Green — Explained that the example bike's motor and throttle would classify it as a Class 4 e-bike and described the technology shift toward electric motorcycles.
Brooke Green — Was asked whether the bill would require motorcycle-style training for these bikes.
Brooke Green — Read the statutory text describing licensing, registration, and insurance requirements for the vehicles covered by the subsection.
Brooke Green — The preceding statutory requirement is continued from the prior caption.
Brooke Green — The preceding statutory explanation is continued from the prior caption.
Brooke Green — Acknowledged the wattage issue as a problem and asked the committee to send the bill to general orders for further review.