Doug Ricks — During this continuous exchange, Doug Ricks is repeatedly addressed as the chair ('Mr. Chairman'/'Chairman'), with a few apparent transcription errors referring to 'Representative Dygert/Dyer.' The mentions reflect a single ongoing interaction in which speakers are directing remarks to the chair and thanking him.
Doug Ricks — The chair thanks the witness and moves to the next testimony.
Doug Ricks — As chair, asked the witness to summarize in one sentence.
Doug Ricks — Chair Ricks is addressed by name in the committee exchange.
Ben Toews — Ben Toews asked whether advisory boards in Canyon and Ada County have problems working with county commissioners, then followed up by questioning whether those counties should be carved out of the bill, continuing the same discussion about the legislation’s treatment of those counties and local fair-related concerns.
Ben Toews — Ben Toews asked whether the bill applies to one county or all counties and whether counties have discussed the issue among themselves. He then followed up by asking if counties had considered rewriting the section and whether county commissioners were comfortable with the current approach, including whether a middle-ground solution might be possible.
C. Grow — Addressed as Senator Dames in the transcript, likely a transcription error; asked whether managing a fair is more complex than managing an airport.
C. Grow — Asked whether most of the language is existing language and whether the change is limited to counties with populations of 200,000 or more.
C. Grow — Senator Grow questions the witness about the bill’s purpose, asking whether it is meant to preserve the status quo and prevent counties from being forced to lose their fair boards as governing bodies, rather than turning them into merely advisory boards.
C. Grow — Senator Grow expresses that he is still wrestling with the bill and questions whether it is aimed at preventing a future problem. In the ensuing exchange, he is directly addressed in a related discussion about ownership of fairground property, keeping the conversation within the same broader policy issue.
C. Grow — Senator C. Grow is first praised as being correct about maintaining the status quo, then identified as the member making a substitute motion, with the motion later again attributed to him.
Ron Taylor — Senator Ron Taylor asked whether an existing county fair board could choose to become an advisory board, seeking clarification on whether anything would prevent such a change.
Ron Taylor — Said the issue is local control and expressed support for county commissions deciding on fair boards.
Treg Bernt — Senator Taves is introduced as the next questioner and then immediately asks Representative Dygert about population projections, questioning whether the bill is targeting Cootney County.
Treg Bernt — Referenced as having noted advisory boards in other contexts.
Treg Bernt — Senator Bernt is briefly referenced as supporting the view that the issue is one of local control. The discussion then shifts to Senator Taves, who explains that the bill primarily affects his county and fair board, notes that it does not automatically make the fair board advisory because county commissioners retain judgment, and urges opposition to the substitute motion.
Alison Rabe — Alison Rabe is addressed by name as the discussion turns to county fairs and fairgrounds. The conversation then continues into her substantive remarks about county fairgrounds serving multiple events and facing growth pressure, tying the earlier references to the broader issue of fairground use and advisory concerns.
Alison Rabe — Senator Den Hartog is addressed by the chair in discussion about whether the sponsor should carry over the bill, and shortly afterward she makes the formal motion to send House Bill 843 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The motion is then identified as involving Senator Den Hartog and Senator Robbie, likely as part of the same procedural exchange.
Carl Anderson — The committee introduces Carl Anderson as the first virtual public witness, then repeatedly tries to connect with him by asking whether he can hear them and to unmute his microphone. They can see him but still cannot hear him, so they decide to come back to his testimony later.
Carl Anderson — Carl Anderson was introduced as a virtual witness from Rigby and then testified that he is chairman of the Jefferson County Fair Board and supports House Bill 823. He explained that Jefferson County has two fairs and that the volunteer fair board plays an important governing role. He emphasized that the board should retain its governing status because county commissioners rely on it to manage the fairs fiscally and appropriately.
Bat Masterson — Named as the next virtual witness.
Bat Masterson / Matt Masters — The witness is introduced as Bat Masterson, but then identifies himself as Matt Masters from Atho, Idaho.
Matt Masters — Matt Masters testifies in support of the fairgrounds and the bill, describing Cootney County as his lifelong home and emphasizing the fairgrounds’ importance to his family across generations. He notes his involvement with the Fair Foundation Board and says the fairgrounds are essential to agriculture because they provide a place for youth to showcase crops and livestock. He also points out that the fairgrounds receive no tax dollars and are supported by volunteers and community members, then closes by asking the committee to consider the bill.
Tom Daly — Tom Daly is introduced as the next witness and commissioner, then states that he is appearing on behalf of the Idaho Association of Counties as chairman of the legislative committee. He explains that the committee voted to oppose the bill, citing the counties’ concerns and the importance of advisory boards and fair boards.
Kelly Anthon — The speaker is addressed as 'Senator Den Hartog' in the transcript, but the expected member list does not include that name; the likely intended member is not certain. No ID assigned.
Kelly Anthon — Addressed as Senator Den Hartog in the transcript, likely a misidentification; the text says 'Thank you, Senator Den Hartog.'
Lori Hartog — Lori Hartog discusses the Cootney County fairgrounds and fair board structure, first clarifying county ownership and then asking whether county commissioners could maintain a similar arrangement if the legislation does not pass.
Luke Malick — Luke Malick testifies on behalf of the North Idaho Foundation Board in support of the legislation.
Mr. Masterson — Mr. Masterson is referenced twice as part of the hearing’s discussion of earlier testimony. First, Malick cites Masterson’s prior remarks about generational wealth and county experience. Later, Masterson is again named among the people whose concerns the committee had already heard, reinforcing his role as one of the key witnesses whose testimony informed the discussion.
Mr. Short / Representative Short ? — Responds that the bill would maintain the status quo for every county in Idaho.
Mr. Malick — Thanked for his testimony before the next question is raised.
Mr. Malick — Referenced as having discussed the broader policy issue earlier.
Leslie Duncan — Leslie Duncan is introduced as the next virtual witness, with the committee joking about possible internet/connectivity issues while trying to bring her on. It is also noted that she has provided written testimony in case the virtual connection cannot be established.
Sarah Westbrook — Sarah Westbrook is brought into the room, then gives her opening testimony on behalf of the Idaho Association of Counties, asking the committee to hold House Bill 823 in committee. After her testimony, the committee thanks her and invites her to comment further on concerns about ambiguity and future uncertainty.
Ms. Westbrook — Ms. Westbrook said she did not want to disparage anyone or assume motives, but noted that Coeur d'Alene County has been the focus of their discussion. She said they have recommended different options and would be interested in exploring the issue further. She added that there is confusion among fair boards and county commissioners about who is responsible for what, including how to track finances and where audits fit in, suggesting the language needs to be refreshed.
David Fair / Dave Phail — Telephone witness identified himself with a name that sounds like 'Dave Phail' and was invited to testify.
Dave Phail / David Fair — Dave Phail/David Fair testified in support of the proposed amendment, explaining that he is speaking from decades of involvement in the fair industry, including 20 years on the North Idaho Fair Board and service as Parks and Recreation director in Skagit County. He argued that the policy is based on an arbitrary population number set in 1922, that the bill addresses that arbitrary threshold while preserving the status quo, and that fair boards are working boards whose purpose is to keep serving their communities.
Braden Jensen — Braden Jensen is introduced as the last witness, then testifies on behalf of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation in support of the bill.
Representative Dustin Manwearing — Introduces House Bill 843 and explains he is the representative from District 29.
Doug Ricks — Addressed as Mr. Chairman in the exchange.
Doug Ricks — Addressed as Chairman in the exchange.
Doug Ricks — The chair is addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' in the exchange and then moves the committee to the next witness.
Doug Ricks — As chair, thanked Mr. Anderson and asked for questions.
Doug Ricks — Noted a telephone witness was signed up and attempted to connect them.
Doug Ricks — The chair welcomed the witness to the committee.