Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 36 Feb 16th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Key Moments

  • John Gannon — Called for the House to record the roll and announced the roll-call result.
  • John Gannon — Named as the second on the motion to approve the journal.
  • Sierra Clark — Recognized as a local constituent affiliated with Moms for Liberty.
  • Frank Brunel — A tribute to Frank Brunel honoring his life and legacy: he was remembered as a well-known and beloved Lewiston figure, born in Boise in 1935, educated in Boise schools, and later married Sharon Smith. The speaker recounted his career building Bruneal Tire Service into a multi-state business, his dedication to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and community service, and his public roles on local boards and in the Idaho House, where he served as majority leader. The tribute also highlighted his reputation as a kind, fair, generous mentor and campaigner, with stories illustrating his anonymous acts of kindness and support for others. It closed by emphasizing his devotion to Sharon, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and by noting his passing at age 90 and the lasting impact of his life.
  • Vanessa Brunel — The speaker recalls being friends with Vanessa Brunel and visiting the family home.
  • Lori — The speaker recounts a conversation with Lori in the Brunel home.
  • Sharon Brunel — Frank Brunel's wife is mentioned as part of the family remembrance.
  • Patricia Shippey — Frank Brunel's sister is named.
  • Jerry Brunel — Frank Brunel's younger brother is referenced.
  • Frank Dobson — Frank Brunel's grandfather is described as an early cattle rancher in Starr.
  • Sharon Smith Brunel — Frank Brunel's wife is identified by maiden name and marriage.
  • Brunel Tire Service — The family business is introduced.
  • Mark Harris — Quoted as saying Frank Brunel was great to work with and a 'legislator's legislator.'
  • Jeannie — Jeannie is presented as a trailblazing Native American leader from Spokane and the Coeur d’Alene Reservation who studied at Whitworth and Gonzaga, then devoted her life to civil rights, education, journalism, and public service. She became the first Native American woman elected to the Idaho House, later sought a seat in Congress, wrote for newspapers and served on editorial boards to elevate tribal voices, taught on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, and was appointed to multiple state and federal boards, including the Institute of American Indian Arts. The discussion also notes her continued community involvement and creative work after retirement.
  • — Wendy Ungrich is profiled as a former Idaho House member who served from 1977 to 1981 and resigned during her third term for a job opportunity in Utah. Her legislative work included efforts to constitutionally limit annual state spending increases, require public hearings before approving new state liquor store sites, restore voting rights for felons after sentence completion, and support greater women’s participation in politics. The narrative also covers her personal life, including marriages, later career changes from interior design to astrology and spiritual coaching, a move to New Mexico, and her death on November 23, 2025, at home surrounded by family, with survivors including her children and siblings.
  • Ronald Ross Vieselmeyer, Ph.D. — A memorial speaker offers a tribute to Ronald Ross Vieselmeyer, Ph.D., saying they knew him personally and then recounting his life story: he was born in Nampa in 1941, raised in a faith-centered environment, and later studied at Toronto Bible College before earning a graduate degree in psychology. The tribute highlights his nearly 50 years of service in North Idaho, including work as an Idaho state representative, his authorship, and his broader public service. It also names his surviving family members, including his wife Kate and siblings Lloyd, Lois, Kurt, and Joyce, and closes by affirming his Christian faith and expressing that he now rests in peace in the presence of Jesus Christ.
  • Kate — Kate is identified as Ron’s wife and a nurse, and later noted as his surviving wife.
  • Vanney Willis — Named as a niece present at the memorial.
  • Roberta — Identified as Kurt's wife.
  • Anne Wilde — Her passing and life of service are described.
  • Gail Wilde — The memorial tribute honors Gail Wilde as an educator, legislator, and civic leader. It describes her marriage to Ralph Wilde, their family and business life, and her service in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1986 to 1994. It also notes her more than 40 years of involvement with AAUW in McCall and Boise, and concludes by listing her surviving family members and mentioning scholarship funds in her memory.
  • Gail Gregory Wilde — Gail Gregory Wilde is introduced through biographical background, including her birth in Boise on December 20, 1941, her personal style and civic involvement, her upbringing in Boise, and her move to McCall in 1968 to begin her first teaching position at McCall-Donnelly High School.
  • Judy Pittman — Judy Pittman of the Boise Highlanders was introduced as the performer who would play 'Amazing Grace.'
  • Women in blue — A group in the gallery was welcomed after the memorial program.
  • Jordan Redman — Referenced as having caused confusion about the bill's scope.
  • David Cannon — The speaker thanks the good representative for bringing the bill forward and refers to his introduction of the bill.
  • David Cannon — The speaker references 'the gentleman from 26' as being prohibited from going into the women's restroom; the exact identity is not explicit in the transcript.
  • Josh Tanner — Identified as the gentleman from 13, speaking in favor of the bill and requesting unanimous consent to refer to other legislation.
  • Heather Scott — Referred to as 'the good lady from 17' in the debate over small-business exemptions.
  • Jaron Crane — The phrase 'good lady from 33' is likely a mis-transcription of a member reference; exact identity is uncertain.
  • Kaira Gibson — Welcomed to the gallery with Hadley and Harper.