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Committee sends commendation for Boise State volleyball to floor amid debate over transgender athletes
Summary
The committee advanced HCR 2 to commend Boise State University women’s volleyball for refusing to play San Jose State but heard opposition from advocates who said the measure discriminates against transgender athletes; the motion carried by voice vote with one senator recorded as nay.
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to send HCR 2, a resolution commending the Boise State University women’s volleyball team for refusing to play San Jose State, to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation after supporters praised the team’s stance and opponents raised concerns about discrimination.
Senator Carlson introduced the resolution and Representative Ehardt spoke in support, citing Title IX-era growth in girls’ sports and saying that, in her view, facing a male opponent could be unfair and potentially dangerous. Representative Ehardt recounted a high-school injury example and criticized the Mountain West Conference and NCAA leadership for lack of direction.
Supporters including Grace Howat, a policy analyst with the Idaho Family Policy Center, and April Chainey, the mother of a Mountain West Conference volleyball player, emphasized physiological differences and protection of women’s sports. Opponents—Jen Damron, Riley O’Connor and Tristan Pinkerton—testified in opposition, expressing that the resolution risked discrimination against transgender athletes, and Mistie DelliCarpini-Tolman of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates highlighted broader drivers of inequality such as funding and coaching.
Senator Harris moved that HCR 2 be sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote. Senator Ruchti asked to be recorded as voting nay. The committee’s action forwards the commendation to the full Senate but does not change eligibility rules or conference policy.
