House committee sends bill to floor to bar state‑controlled, out‑of‑state entities from owning Idaho transmission

The House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee voted to send House Bill 415 to the full House with a due‑pass recommendation after a contentious hearing on governance of interstate power markets.

The bill would prohibit an entity that is controlled by an out‑of‑state government from entering into contracts to own or operate transmission facilities in Idaho; sponsor Representative Vito Barbieri described the measure as aimed at preventing a state‑controlled out‑of‑state entity from dictating Idaho transmission policy and rates.

Supporters said the measure addresses governance and accountability concerns. "Basically what we're trying to do is we recognize that recently there have been developments with respect to the California independent system operator ... and it raises concerns about the potential influence of a foreign state corporation," Representative Vito Barbieri, District 3, said. Barbieri told the committee he was worried that an entity governed and chartered under California law would be able to influence rates and policy in Idaho in ways the Idaho Public Utilities Commission could not control.

Eric Anderson, a private citizen who testified as a former public utilities commissioner, told the committee the PUC retains regulatory authority over rates but reiterated the governance concern. "The PUC does have oversight," Anderson said, adding that the charter and governance structure of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) differs from multi‑state market operators and was the core of his concern.

Opponents said the bill could reduce regional market access and increase costs and reliability risks. John Hughes of the Idaho State AFL‑CIO argued the bill ‘‘places an undue regulatory burden on those day ahead markets’’ and warned that restricting cross‑border trading can lead toward an "isolationist power grid" that raises costs for ratepayers. Jason Hudson of IBEW Local 77 said the proposal "came up extremely fast" and lacked the time for needed stakeholder input; he urged policies to expand, not restrict, interstate transmission.

Other testifiers included Representative John Gannon (sponsor ally on governance issues), Diana Nielsen of Lemhi County, who supported the bill and raised project‑specific concerns including an asserted CAISO overcharge figure, and Ryan McGoldrick of Conservation Voters of Idaho, who warned the proposal could affect links to other regional ISOs beyond CAISO.

Committee debate split on timing and necessity. Representative Steven Raybould moved to hold the bill in committee, arguing the state's existing regulatory framework and the PUC's complaint authority had not been shown to have failed. The substitute motion to hold HB 415 in committee failed on a roll‑call vote. The committee then voted to send the bill to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation.

Committee action and roll call: Representative Horman moved that the committee send House Bill 415 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; Representative Raybould moved a substitute to hold the bill in committee (substitute failed). Final vote on sending HB 415 to the floor was recorded as 8 yeas and 5 nays. Recorded yeas: Chairman Furness; Representative Horman; Representative Scott; Representative Vishniewski; Representative Bruce; Representative Burgoyne; Representative Tanner; Representative Barbieri. Recorded nays: Representative VanderWaeta; Representative Raybould; Representative Furman; Representative Thompson; Representative Egbert.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to hold HB 415 in committee (substitute by Representative Raybould): failed (committee recorded result: 5 yeas, 8 nays). - Motion to send HB 415 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation (mover Representative Horman): passed, 8 yeas, 5 nays.

The committee concluded by confirming Representatives Barbieri and Gannon would carry the bill on the House floor. The committee scheduled its next meeting and final wrap‑up for Wednesday, March 26.