Dave Lent — The speaker makes a brief procedural remark directed to the chair, first thanking the chair and then using another formal reference to the chair in the same exchange.
Dave Lent — Introduced himself as Senator Dave Lent, District 33, Idaho Falls, for the next bill presentation.
Dave Lent — Senator Lent was asked for closing remarks and encouraged the committee to support the bill and send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Asked a question about the meaning of the state-required social studies coursework language in the bill.
Kevin Cook — The Vice Chair was thanked after the motion passed.
Mary Ellen Norse — Listed as one of the in-person witnesses to testify.
Joel Fisher — Joel Fisher was introduced as one of the in-person witnesses and then testified as Policy Director at the Idaho Family Policy Center in support of House Bill 712. He continued his remarks by urging the committee to send the bill to the Senate with a due pass recommendation.
Samuel Lair — Listed as one of the in-person witnesses to testify.
Dr. Samuel Lair — Dr. Samuel Lair testified in support of HB 712, opening with a civic-duty theme and explaining that his own JROTC experience was highly formative. He described how JROTC helped him develop responsibility, public service, and citizenship, saying it changed his behavior and outlook, and argued that teaching these lessons more broadly would strengthen civic responsibility and the common good.
Carrie Semmelroth — Carrie Semmelroth questioned the bill sponsor about the bill’s structure, asking why the proposal creates a civic seal rather than a specialty diploma and whether a student could earn the seal in addition to an existing specialty diploma such as biliteracy.
Cindy Carlson — Senator Cindy Carlson briefly commented in support of the bill and then moved to send House Bill 712 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. After no further discussion, the motion carried.
Wendy Seacrest — The speaker identifies Wendy Seacrest as the director and asks to yield time to her for an overview.
Wendy Sechrist / Seacrest — She introduces herself as executive director of both the Workforce Development Council and the STEM Action Center and begins explaining the recommendation.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Ward-Engelking asks for clarification on how the STEM Action Center merger will affect ongoing services, specifically what functions will continue for educators and students. She then follows up by asking whether private donations will be directed into workforce development or remain separately managed after the merger.
Ms. Seacrest — She is addressed in response to the senator's question.
Wendy Sechrest / Seacrest — She explains the bill language adding STEM-related responsibilities to the Workforce Development Council.
Ms. Sechrest — She is called on to answer the question about private donations and funding structure.
Tammy Nichols — Moved to approve the minutes from March 4, 2026.
Tammy Nichols — Tammy Nichols spoke in strong support of the bill, saying she liked the idea because it would help improve students’ civics and history knowledge. She expressed concern about the public’s lack of civics understanding, referenced the importance of better preparing students, and concluded by stating she would support the motion.
Tammy Nichols — Senator Nichols seconded the motion.
James Woodward — Was named as the second to the motion to approve the minutes.