Idaho Senate confirms four gubernatorial appointments, refers multiple bills to committees

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on Feb. 3, 2025, confirmed four gubernatorial appointments to state boards and moved several bills to committee for further consideration.

The chamber adopted committee reports recommending confirmation of Sherry Lynn Baer to the Public Charter School Commission, Elizabeth Elroy to the Board of Environmental Quality, Janice Giesel to the Offender Management Board, and Kenneth Noon to the Idaho Board of Tax Appeals. Senators who spoke in favor summarized each nominee’s experience; each confirmation was adopted by voice vote.

The confirmations came alongside routine business that referred newly printed bills to standing committees. The Judiciary and Rules Committee reported several bills and resolutions were correctly printed; Senate Bill 1049 (listed as “Senate Bill 10 49” in the record) was read on first reading and referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing, and several other bills were referred to the Education and State Affairs committees as noted on the floor.

Senator Van Orden opened debate on the Public Charter School Commission reappointment, calling it “a reappointment for her. She's served on the public charter school commission since 2016,” and reviewed Sherry Lynn Baer’s background in K–8 teaching, online charter work and school library leadership.

For the Board of Environmental Quality, Senator Tanner Byrne moved adoption of the committee report and Senator Burns described Elizabeth Elroy as providing “technical leadership and expertise to the state of Idaho on environmental regulations,” noting her role at Micron Technology and prior environmental management work.

Janice Giesel’s appointment to the Offender Management Board was presented by the Judiciary and Rules Committee; Senator Lanning moved adoption and praised Giesel’s certifications and experience. Kenneth Noon’s reappointment to the Board of Tax Appeals drew a lengthier floor statement from Senator Foreman, who detailed Noon’s academic credentials, appraisal certifications, and public service background and called him “a distinguished and long standing public servant.”

Votes at a glance

- Sherry Lynn Baer — Public Charter School Commission. Motion to adopt committee report moved by Senator Van Orden; second not specified in the transcript. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Elizabeth Elroy — Board of Environmental Quality. Motion to adopt committee report moved by Senator Tanner Byrne; second not specified in the transcript. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Janice Giesel — Offender Management Board. Motion to adopt committee report moved by Senator Lanning; second not specified in the transcript. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Kenneth Noon — Board of Tax Appeals (term to expire 06/30/2026). Motion to adopt committee report moved by Senator Foreman; second not specified in the transcript. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

Committee referrals and printing

- The Judiciary and Rules Committee reported that Senate resolutions 102 and 103 and several bills were correctly printed; resolutions were held for one legislative day and listed bills were referred to specified committees as recorded on the floor.

- Senate Bill 10 49 (recorded on the floor as “Senate Bill 10 49”) was read on first reading and referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.

What happened next

Senators also received messages from the governor notifying the Senate of additional appointments (Joshua Whitworth to serve as executive director of the Office of the State Board of Education and Karen J. Sharpenack to the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission); those appointments were filed and referred to the committees noted in the messages. The Senate adjourned to reconvene at 11 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2025.

Ending

All recorded confirmations in this session were adopted by voice vote; specific recorded roll-call tallies were not entered in the public transcript. The Senate’s actions will be filed in the Office of the Secretary and the governor will be notified of the confirmations.