Mark Harris — Representative Harris was introduced as the District 7 legislator and co-sponsor, with brief references to his prior boating and presidential primary bills. He was then asked to address fiscal concerns about the bill and responded that counties could use a no-cost workaround, emphasizing that constitutional rights should take precedence over cost objections.
Mark Harris — Representative Harris was included in closing remarks alongside Representative Mitchell, with Nick Woods praising their perspective on the irony of government restricting the Second Amendment and inviting them to wrap up. A few minutes later, Harris was asked if he had anything further to add, and he declined.
Brandon Shippy — Representative Brandon Mitchell introduced House Bill 621 for District 6 and explained its purpose. He said constituents have been vocal in support and want action, and he described the bill as intended to prevent counties from expanding restrictions beyond state law.
Brandon Shippy — Brandon Shippy was called during a voting sequence and recorded as voting no on the initial motion, then yes on the substitute motion, and yes on the motion.
Brent Crane — Asked whether the county commissioners had been consulted about moving metal detectors to the second floor.
Brent Crane — Chairman Brent Crane is addressed during a brief exchange about a legislative question and carve-out language. He responds to Representative Boyle and Representative Haas, indicating that the reasoning and interpretation of the carve-out would ultimately be determined by the courts.
Brent Crane — Representative Crane supports the substitute motion, arguing that the bill is ambiguous and needs clearer definitions—especially of what constitutes a courtroom—and should reference federal code so counties can enforce it consistently. The exchange concludes with Chairman Crane voting no on the amended substitute motion.
Erin Bingham — Representative Bingham raised concerns about the fiscal note and county cost impacts, then was told that counties have an option under the proposal. She followed up by explaining that in Bonneville County, moving screening to the second floor would be expensive because other offices already occupy that space, making a remodel necessary.
Erin Bingham — Representative Bingham is called during a roll-call vote on the motion related to House Bill 621 and records her vote, first appearing in the roll call and then being noted as voting no and later yes in the sequence.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Stephanie Mickelsen questioned whether the bill was oversimplifying a serious courthouse security issue and asked if the trial court administrator had been consulted. The response indicated that the administrators had not been contacted. The discussion then continued with references to her earlier concerns about cost and consultation, including a broader example of expensive security changes made after an elected official raised concerns about safety.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Representative Mickelsen was directly addressed multiple times during a short exchange in which the sponsor responded to questions about courthouse-related provisions, including the scope of the bill and carrying concealed in a courthouse. The discussion then briefly shifted to a document exchange, where he was thanked for handling the correct letter.
Stephanie Mickelsen — Representative Stephanie Mickelsen is recorded in the roll-call vote on the motion, with one mention showing a no vote and a later mention showing a yes vote during the same voting sequence.
Joe Palmer — Referenced as Representative Harris in the transcript context? No, this section specifically addresses Representative Harris responding; the speaker is not clearly identified by the transcript alone.
Joe Palmer — Representative Palmer was called during roll call; the second mention repeats the call and notes that the vote was not captured in this excerpt.
Ben Adams — Representative Mitchell is repeatedly addressed during a discussion of the bill’s scope and practical effects. The exchange includes a request for Mitchell to respond, a defense of the bill’s limited application in one county versus another, Mitchell’s explanation that a county commissioner had asked for a fix because other officials could not agree, and a follow-up request for clarification about carve-out language for jail holding facilities and detention areas.
Ben Adams — Representative Mitchell is referenced and then speaks during a committee discussion about the bill. The exchange includes praise for his position, a brief procedural interruption about signing up to speak, his closing remarks citing federal law and asking the committee to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and a final response noting that no amendment is needed because the issue is already covered in federal code.
Monica Church — Asked how local governments or the courthouse itself would determine the courtroom portion and how that would square with Senate Bill 1430.
Monica Church — Asked how different courtrooms and policies would square with preemption.
Monica Church — Asked a question for the sponsors about the NRA letter and the meaning of 'courthouse' under Idaho Code 18-3302C.
Monica Church — Representative Monica Church was referenced during the roll call and recorded as voting no on the motion.
James Ruchti — Representative Mitchell discussed the bill’s intent to clarify that concealed-carry restrictions should apply to courtroom areas rather than entire county buildings, explaining that some counties have used courthouse language to ban carry throughout whole buildings. The discussion also addressed how local governments might define courtroom portions, whether courthouse layouts could make the whole building effectively a court area, and concerns that county policies could trigger the bill’s $10,000 fine.
Avine Klein, State Director for the NRA — Begins testimony in support of House Bill 621 and frames the issue as a constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Heather Scott — Asked whether affected people could file a lawsuit if their rights are being violated.
Heather Scott — Asked whether affected people could file a lawsuit and whether any current lawsuits exist.
Heather Scott — Questioned whether the witness understood the hierarchy of law and whether the judicial order would trump the proposed law.
Heather Scott — Asked whether the counties receive guidance about planning county buildings and courthouses to avoid legal conflicts.
Heather Scott — Representative Scott makes an amended substitute motion to send House Bill 621 to the floor with no recommendation. The motion is then referenced in the committee’s procedural summary and roll call, and Representative Scott is recorded as voting yes on the substitute motion.
Ms. Klein — Said she would not recommend NRA members continue carrying through a metal detector because it could put them in legal jeopardy and leave them responsible for legal costs.
NRA members — Referenced as individuals who might choose to continue carrying despite the legal risk.
Kelly Brassfield — Kelly Brassfield was introduced and then testified on behalf of the Idaho Association of Counties in opposition to House Bill 621. She said she had met with the bill sponsor about updating the fiscal impact, noted that the committee already had the spreadsheet so she would not repeat those details, raised concerns about conflicts with judicial orders prohibiting firearms in courthouses, and concluded by asking the committee to vote no on the bill.
Ms. Brassfield — Ms. Brassfield expressed concern that the bill could create confusion at the county level about whether counties should follow judicial orders or the proposed law. She added that facility building plans are not within the Idaho Association of Counties' area of expertise, underscoring that counties may need guidance on how to navigate the bill's requirements.
Trent Tripple — Trent Tripple, representing the Ada County Clerk’s Office, testified that the bill would force costly courthouse security changes, increase expenses, and create greater risks for staff and the public. He referenced Ada County’s experience building a combined administrative courthouse as context for the costs and security implications. The chair then thanked him and concluded his testimony.
Nick Woods — Nick Woods from Lewiston is introduced as a supporter of the bill, then returns to testify. He states that he is representing himself and is in favor of the legislation, describing his perspective as a law enforcement officer with an office inside a courthouse. The committee then concludes his testimony and thanks him.
Brandon — Mentioned as helping bring the witness back.
Kyle — Mentioned as helping bring the witness back.
Joe Alfieri — Comments that he supports the Second Amendment but is concerned about the cost to counties.
Judy Boyle — Asked about Nez Perce County's first floor and whether people there are afraid of citizens.
Judy Boyle — Representative Boyle asks whether the sponsors would be willing to amend the bill to include federal court-definition language, reiterating the suggestion about adding the federal definition of courtrooms. The later mentions are roll-call references showing Boyle present and voting yes on the substitute motion.
Diana David — Diana David, identifying herself as a Giffords Gun Owners for Safety State Ambassador, testified in opposition to Senate Bill 1430. She argued that the bill and related preemption laws undermine local control, create dangerous loopholes, and can hinder communities and officials from adopting safety measures. She also raised concerns about gun trafficking and referenced the real-world harms of weak gun laws and loopholes, concluding by urging the committee to vote no on S. 1430.
Diana David — Diana David testified against House Bill 621, identifying herself as a Giffords Gun Owners for Safety ambassador, retired insurance industry risk manager, gun owner, and gun violence survivor. She argued that courthouses contain sensitive areas such as prosecutor offices, holding cells, attorney conference rooms, and jury deliberation rooms, making weapons especially dangerous there. She said the bill would reduce safety, referenced concerns about threats to judicial staff, and added that allowing weapons in courthouses would also impose financial burdens on counties.
Avine Klein — Avine Klein testified in support of Senate Bill 1430 as the State Director for the NRA. She noted that she had written testimony for the committee and explained that the bill does not change the underlying firearms preemption policy but strengthens enforcement of existing protections. She argued that the bill gives people a way to hold government accountable while preserving an opportunity to cure, and concluded by asking for a do-pass recommendation and offering to answer questions.
Avine Klein — Avine Klein is introduced as the first public witness, briefly organizes and distributes letters related to House Bill 621 and Senate Bill 1430, and then gives testimony supporting the bill. She argues that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual constitutional right, discusses Idaho’s preemption framework, and says any costs would come only from interpretation. She further explains that the bill preserves local control by allowing counties to interpret requirements based on their courthouse circumstances while also restoring uniformity. Finally, she notes that because Idaho’s preemption law lacks an enforcement mechanism, a lawsuit would require an active violation to create standing.
Joe Alfieri — Makes the motion to send House Bill 621 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; name is uncertain in transcript.
Joe Alfieri — Identified as the sponsor of the original due-pass motion.
Joe Alfieri — Called during roll call and recorded as yes.
Joe Alfieri — Voted yes on the motion.
Joe Alfieri — Voted yes on the substitute motion.
Mike Pohanka — Representative Pohanka was called during the roll call and later recorded as voting on the motion, with the transcript reflecting his vote responses in the same voting sequence.
James Holtzclaw — Representative Holtzclaw was recorded twice during the meeting’s voting proceedings: first as voting no during roll call, and later as voting yes on a substitute motion.
Bruce Skaug — Representative Skaug was called during roll call and recorded as voting no on the initial vote, then later recorded as voting yes on the substitute motion.