Tammy Nichols — Chair Nichols is addressed while clarifying Senator Lent's understanding.
Nancy Daniels — Nancy Daniels, a 35-year resident of Depot Bench, testified that rats have become a serious problem in her neighborhood after years without any rat issues. She described how residents are documenting sightings with Ring cameras, texts, calls, and photos, and how she and her neighbors have been cleaning up and taking other recommended mitigation steps, including hiring pest control. She explained that some areas near irrigation canals and between homes are inaccessible to homeowners, making it difficult to fully address the problem on their own. Daniels warned that rats may migrate from the neighborhood into nearby parks such as Catherine Albertson Park and Morrison Park, and said the community is willing to help with a bottom-up reporting approach but needs broader top-down government assistance to manage the issue.
Jane Rowling — Jane Rowling introduced herself as an Eagle resident and founder of the Rats in Eagle and Beyond Nextdoor group, then described the rat infestation as a growing regional problem affecting communities within about a 15-mile radius. She said she has had rats since late 2022 and that the issue has persisted for nearly four years, with population growth likely to worsen it. Rowling expressed disappointment that the State Department of Agriculture could not help and argued that counties and cities must take the lead, since government will not replace private pest control or send workers into every yard. She said individual homeowners remain responsible but cannot handle the problem alone, citing nearly $30,000 she has spent on yard and crawl-space modifications. She urged residents to recognize the issue, set traps, and support the bill, noting that cities currently lack funding for rat control. Rowling said she would lobby city councils and county officials for funding and warned the situation could become unmanageable without quick action. She also suggested broader-scale solutions such as rat birth control, saying it has shown promise in other cities and must be implemented by county and city authorities alongside traditional traps.
Joshua Kohl — Senator Cole was recognized by the chair and then spoke in support of advancing the third version of the legislation, saying the scope was narrower and closer to workable. He still expressed concern that JFAC would continue to produce a fiscal note each year, but said he would support the motion to send the bill to the floor while reserving his rights there.
Todd Lakey — Moved to approve the minutes of March 19, 2026.
Todd Lakey — Senator Todd Lakey was identified in connection with Senate Bill 1445, then moved that the bill be sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. He also explained his support by arguing that the bill addresses an invasive-species problem that should be treated as a statewide concern, with counties and the private sector working together on eradication and control efforts.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Carrie Semmelroth is named as the second on the motion to approve the March 19, 2026 minutes.
Christy Zito — Spoke briefly during the discussion of the March 19, 2026 minutes and then introduced the March 24, 2026 minutes.
Christy Zito — Moved to adopt the minutes of March 24, 2026.
Christy Zito — Asked why local governments need state permission to address rats.
Ryan Davidson, Ada County Commissioner — Explained that counties need state authorization to eliminate pests and described discussions with state agriculture officials.
Ron Taylor — Senator Zito asks whether the bill would obligate the state financially in the future if rats are declared an invasive species.
Ron Taylor — Was identified as the second on the motion to send Senate Bill 1445 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Blaylock is called on to ask a question; the transcript likely intends Senator Blaylock, though the expected member list does not include that name.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Camille Blaylock participates in a focused discussion about how the current bill differs from the earlier proposal, why the earlier bill failed in the House, and whether local governments can use funds only under certain conditions related to rats being on the invasive species list.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent questions whether the bill addresses the taxing-district issue by classifying rats as an invasive species and whether that would allow local communities or cities to use taxing districts to respond. The discussion then continues with references to marking sightings and the role local governments might play, ending with Representative Gannon’s view that cities and local governments have the budget capacity to help fund the effort.