Jim Guthrie — Jim Guthrie introduced Senate Bill 1398 and the discussion continued with references to additional detail being available, collaboration with the Secretary of State on the proposal, and cleanup changes that Senator Guthrie had noted. Together, the mentions reflect the ongoing explanation and refinement of the same bill.
Jim Guthrie — Jim Guthrie is referenced for working with the Secretary of State, then speaks as chair to emphasize the importance of voting and turnout, expressing support for the motion and calling for the vote.
Jim Guthrie — Chair Jim Guthrie is repeatedly addressed during a continuous committee exchange: Senator Woodward and later other speakers refer to him as Mr. Chairman/Chairman, he welcomes a witness and asks for identification for the record, and subsequent speakers thank him and address him again as the discussion continues.
Jim Guthrie — Chair Guthrie handed the gavel back to the vice chairman, Jim Guthrie, who then presented House Bill 831 and explained that it concerns voting access and the use of schools as polling places while protecting instructional time. He concluded by yielding the remainder of his time to Representative Raibald.
Jim Guthrie — Jim Guthrie is identified as a supporter of the legislation, and the chair then closes witness testimony, invites any final questions, and offers closing remarks that emphasize balancing safety with instructional time while thanking the committee.
Phil McGrane, Secretary of State — Introduced himself and began testimony explaining the history of Idaho’s presidential primary and caucus system.
Secretary McGrane — Secretary McGrane is addressed by a senator about the history and rationale behind changing the presidential primary schedule, and he responds by explaining Idaho’s long history with primaries and the shift to caucuses.
Secretary McGrane — The chair thanks Secretary McGrane for being present and testifying in committee, and later references that Secretary McGrane supports the bill, reinforcing the speaker’s comfort with the measure.
Marsha Bravo — Named as the first person signed up to testify after the Secretary of State.
Marcia Bravo — Marcia Bravo, speaking on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Idaho’s statewide members, testified in support of S-1398, describing it as a sensible solution and urging the committee to support the bill. Her testimony then concluded without questions from the committee.
Marcia Bravo / League of Women Voters of Idaho — Marcia Bravo, speaking for the League of Women Voters of Idaho, said the League strongly supports S-1398 and emphasized its long-standing mission of promoting good governance, voter education, and protection of voting rights. She argued that the 2024 caucus turnout was very low compared with the 2020 presidential primary because caucuses inherently limit participation by requiring people to attend at a specific time and place. She also noted the League’s commitment to nonpartisan voter education and candidate forums, including its free Vote411.org voter guide.
James Ruchti — Not directly named in the text, but the motion is seconded by Senator Harris and discussed by Senator Den Hartog; no other member is clearly identified as speaker here.
James Ruchti — The transcript appears to misidentify the questioner as Senator Den Hartog; likely a member asks about the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line project and consistency with the resolution.
James Ruchti — The transcript says 'Senator Denhartog' in the motion context; likely a mishearing, but the speaker praises staff.
James Ruchti — Senator Woodward explained the rationale for the bill’s 100-connection threshold for wastewater regulation, noting that Idaho currently regulates few wastewater companies and that the threshold would bring roughly eight corporations under PUC oversight, with additional wastewater-only entities also potentially affected. He described the statewide distribution of these systems, emphasized that the entities are already regulated for environmental standards by DEQ, and clarified that the bill instead seeks rate regulation by the Public Utility Commission, with any added staffing funded through dedicated funds. He also referenced discussions with the PUC and Rural Water Association, explained the split between water-side and wastewater-side regulation, and answered questions about monopolies and government-created service boundaries, noting that customers inside sewer districts may not have alternative septic options. The exchange concluded with a motion to send Senate Bill 1397 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
James Ruchti — James Ruchti is referenced in an exchange about polling-place safety and the motion process, including a second to the motion, and then speaks to raise a broader concern that moving voting away from schools could reduce opportunities for children to witness civic participation firsthand.
Tommy Ellage — Tommy Ellage, a witness from District 9 in the Parma area, introduces himself as the owner of a small business called Traveling with Cigars. He explains that House Bill 817 would allow him to continue and expand his business, including serving at events like weddings and fundraisers while complying with age restrictions and tax requirements. In response to questions, he describes the cigars he sells, noting one example retails for about $15, and discusses cigar manufacturing and sourcing, including that some cigars are made in the United States while tobacco may come from places like Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic. He also emphasizes the labor-intensive nature of cigar production and how cigars can help start conversations and build connections.
Brody Aston — Testifies on behalf of the Cigar Association of America in support of House Bill 817.
Samuel Shippey — Introduced as Senator Shippey's son, present in committee today and spending the day following him around the legislature.
Dr. Jean Henshield — Called forward as a witness/testifier.
Jean Hinchide — President of the League of Women Voters of Idaho, testifying in opposition to House Bill 872.
Jean Hinchide — She identifies herself as president of the League of Women Voters of Idaho and says the organization supports HB 831.
Jennifer Locke — Jennifer Locke appears as a virtual testifier, initially experiencing audio issues before successfully testifying. She identifies herself as the Kootenai County Clerk and speaks in support of the bill, describing problems from the November 2024 election, especially how the first ballot page had a largely blank backside that confused voters, including absentee voters, and raised concerns about the missing second page. She then concludes her testimony and thanks the committee.
Phil McGrane — Phil McGrane is introduced as the next testifier, then identifies himself as Idaho Secretary of State and begins explaining the context of the law being repealed. He continues by responding to questions about ballot-format practices, saying he is not aware of evidence that placing ballot types together harms voting outcomes and describing the office’s directives on ballot formatting.
Clerk Locke — McGrane refers to Clerk Locke's testimony about the ballot layout issue.
David Rowan — The chair announces that David Rowan is signed up to testify virtually.
David Fronin — David Fronin introduces himself as a self-represented full-time resident of Sandpoint and testifies in strong support of Senate Bill 1397. The committee then thanks him for his testimony, and he begins responding to Senator Shippy’s question.
Mr. Fronan — The witness is addressed by Senator Shippy.
Mr. Frulman — The witness appears to respond to Senator Shippy’s question and says research was provided showing Idaho is one of about three states that does not regulate wastewater companies.
Mr. Fronin — Mr. Fronin is cited as estimating that the bill would bring roughly 10 to 16 additional entities under its scope, including wastewater-only entities.
Dr. Jean Hinchide — The first witness is announced as Dr. Jean Hinchide; the name is also spoken with a possible pronunciation correction.
League of Women Voters — The speaker thanks the committee and says the League closely watches this committee and the House State Affairs Committee.
Trent Tripple — The Ada County Clerk testifies in support of the bill on behalf of county clerks.
Mr. Clerk — The clerk continues describing the benefits of school service days for voters, schools, and clerks, and urges a due pass recommendation.
Secretary of State Phil McGrane — Introduces himself and begins testimony in support of the legislation.
Andrew McGrane — Andrew McGrane is identified as the Junior Deputy Secretary of State accompanying the Secretary, and he is noted as strongly supporting closing schools on election day so people can vote.
Ben Adams — Likely the intended reference behind 'Representative Ribble'; mentioned in connection with access to schools.
McGrane Jr. — The chair notes it is good to see a McGrane Jr. in the audience.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy asks how many private wastewater corporations would be affected by the bill and where they are located.
Brandon Shippy — Asked whether the monopoly is created and sustained by government regulation because customers have no other service option.
Brandon Shippy — Asked whether the monopoly is created and sustained by government regulation.
Brandon Shippy — Stated support for sending Senate Bill 1397 to the floor and said it deserves broader discussion.
Brandon Shippy — Explained support for the motion while noting he wanted to review the background further.
Brandon Shippy — The chair makes a light, repeated remark noting that it is always good to see a Shippy Jr. in the audience.
Kelly Anthon — Seconded the motion.
Kelly Anthon — Seconded the motion.
Kelly Anthon — Seconded the motion on Nikaela Black Abrams' reappointment.
Kelly Anthon — Kelly Anthon argued that his constituents want the ability to vote and that too many people were unable to participate in the caucus, even though it was run well in his county. He said he is determined to let people vote, noted that he previously supported a March presidential primary and a May primary for other elections, and emphasized that the committee should make voting easy and maximize turnout among Idahoans.
Kelly Anthon — Senator Den Hartog moves that House Bill 872 be sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion is seconded by Senator Taves and carried.
Kelly Anthon — The speaker repeatedly references Representative Raibold/Raybold (with some transcription uncertainty) in a positive way, first noting the name variant, then praising her bandwidth, attention to detail, and work ethic, and finally expressing comfort that she is actively working on the issue and helping find a compromise.