Senate confirms multiple gubernatorial appointments, adopts resolutions and memorials

The Idaho Senate on March 7 confirmed several gubernatorial appointments and adopted multiple rules resolutions and joint memorials.

Confirmations

The Senate adopted committee reports recommending confirmation and voted — by voice — to confirm the following gubernatorial appointees:

- Michael Roach, appointed to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission (term to expire 06/30/2028). Introduced by the Resources and Environment Committee; Senator Seiderfeld presented the committee report and urged confirmation, citing Roach's experience in resource management and local ties to Fairfield.

- Judy Bicknell Taylor, reappointed as administrator of the Office on Aging (term to continue at the pleasure of the governor). Senator Ward Engelking described Taylor's nursing and healthcare administration background during the committee report presentation.

- Mike Matthews, reappointed to the Commission of Pardons and Parole (term to expire 01/01/2028). Senator Anthony presented Matthews' credentials, noting his educational background, long service on the commission, and prior experience in education and corrections.

- David Birch, appointed to the [name redacted in transcript] Offender Management Board (term to expire 01/01/2027). The Judiciary and Rules Committee recommended confirmation based on Birch's corrections and juvenile services experience.

- David Turnbull, appointed to the State Board of Education (term to expire 07/01/2029). Senators supporting the appointment cited Turnbull's development and education work across multiple states and prior engagement with school districts.

- Robin Heimer (Robinheimer in the committee report), reappointment to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (term to expire 07/01/2027). Senator Woodward presented Heimer's scientific background and long service on the commission; the committee recommended confirmation.

- James Keating, appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board (term to expire 06/30/2025). The Resources and Environment Committee noted Keating's management experience in recreation and municipal administration.

Each committee report was adopted and, following presentation and brief debate (or no debate), the Senate approved the reports by voice vote; the transcript records the ayes prevailing but does not include roll-call tallies.

Rules, resolutions and memorials

The Senate adopted multiple rules-related resolutions and memorials on March 7:

- Senate Resolution 106, 108 and 109 (rules approvals from Judiciary and Rules relating to a variety of departmental administrative rules) — adopted, to be transmitted to the House of Representatives.

- Senate Joint Memorial 102 urging federal action to streamline permitting and support domestic critical-mineral production; sponsors cited the economic and national security importance of Idaho mining and asked the Congressional delegation and federal agencies to expedite permitting on federally managed lands.

- House Joint Memorial 3 asking Congress to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act; supporters said the memorial reflects concerns from state secretaries of state and small-business owners.

- Senate Joint Memorial 103 supporting the Sibnite Gold Project and urging efficient federal permitting; sponsors cited project economic impact estimates and claimed environmental remediation and jobs benefits.

What the Senate recorded

For confirmations and resolutions the Senate used voice votes that the transcript reports as "ayes have it" or "the ayes have it." The transcript shows committee reports read into the record, presentations by senators describing appointees' backgrounds or the reasons for memorials, and no recorded roll-call tallies in the public transcript.

Outlook

Paperwork for confirmed appointees will be filed in the office of the Senate secretary and the governor will be notified of the Senate's actions. Resolutions and memorials will be transmitted to the House where applicable or sent to the intended federal recipients.

Note on transcript attribution

This article quotes and attributes only to senators and presenters recorded in the Senate transcript of March 7, 2025. Where the transcript omitted a roll-call tally or used voice vote, this article reports the outcome as recorded (adopted/approved) without inventing vote counts.