Senate confirms a slate of gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions

The Idaho Senate on Feb. 5, 2025, adopted committee reports and confirmed a series of gubernatorial appointees, approving nominees to the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission, the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, an ombudsman post in Health and Social Services, the Board of Tax Appeals, the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board and the Fish and Game Commission.

The confirmations complete committee review and formally notify the governor’s office that the Senate has approved the nominations. Several other gubernatorial appointments were referred back to committee or to the governor’s office for further action and were not finally considered that day.

Senators moved and adopted committee reports recommending confirmation for each nominee. Senator Woodward opened debate for the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission reappointment of Linda Mitchell, noting her long-standing Sandpoint ties, business background and service on lakes commissions since 2006, and asked for support in confirming her. Debate closed and the report was adopted by voice vote; the correspondence will be filed with the secretary and the governor notified.

Senator Semleroth introduced Tara Malek for the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, describing her as an attorney and business owner involved with the exchange’s consumer appeals and finance groups; the committee recommended confirmation and the Senate adopted the report by voice vote.

The Senate adopted the committee report recommending confirmation of BJ Stinger to the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired after Senator Rudnicki described Stinger’s personal experience with visual impairment, his family history, and his prior service on the commission.

Senator Hart introduced Trevor Sparrow for the newly created ombudsman position in the Office of Health and Social Services, summarizing Sparrow’s degrees and work with the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy, Department of Corrections and juvenile probation. The committee report was adopted by voice vote.

Senator Zito presented Lee Heinrich for the Board of Tax Appeals, noting Heinrich’s past legislative service, county clerk experience, and agricultural background; the report was adopted by voice vote.

Senator Rudkey presented the reappointment of Joseph (Joe) Forney to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, outlining his private-sector leadership and West Point background; the report was adopted by voice vote.

Senator Zito presented Ronald Davies for the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, highlighting his career as a firefighter and paramedic, lifelong hunting and fishing, and participation in conservation organizations; the committee report was adopted by voice vote.

Several other gubernatorial appointments were handled in committee or were held for one legislative day rather than confirmed on the floor. The transcript shows the Health and Welfare Committee reported that the reappointment of Timothy Rerick to the State Board of Health and Welfare failed to garner a recommendation and was referred back to the governor. The Commerce and Human Resources Committee reported that Joshua Whitworth (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho board) and Mark Watkins (Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired) were to be held for one legislative day. The Resources and Environment Committee referred Eric Olsen to Agricultural Affairs; the governor’s letters for Mike Matthews (Commission on Pardons and Parole) were referred to judiciary and rules.

Votes at a glance (floor motions adopting committee reports): Linda Mitchell — committee report adopted (voice vote). Tara Malek — committee report adopted (voice vote). BJ Stinger — committee report adopted (voice vote). Trevor Sparrow — committee report adopted (voice vote). Lee Heinrich — committee report adopted (voice vote). Joseph Forney — committee report adopted (voice vote). Ronald Davies — committee report adopted (voice vote). Other nominees referred or held as noted above.

The Senate filed the adopted committee correspondence in the secretary’s office and directed that the governor be notified of the confirmations.

Ending: The confirmations concluded the Senate’s motions on gubernatorial appointments for the morning; multiple other nominations remained on committee calendars or were held for further action.